Tomato Big Beef

Prejudice against foreign varieties and crops can only be dispelled by careful acquaintance with their characteristics. Russian summer residents and gardeners will only benefit if they learn the specifics of the Big Beef variety. These tomatoes, when skillfully grown, can be an excellent filling in any area.

The Big Beef tomato variety was officially approved for use in 2008. The work on it was carried out by the world famous company Monsanto Holland B. V. The plant has an official synonym (or rather, the original name) - Big Beef. The culture is classified as a hybrid of the F1 class.

Big Beef is an indeterminate hybrid plant. The official description mentions that it is intended for a film greenhouse. Some sources mention the permissibility of cultivation in open land (only in warm areas). The bushes give a strong growth and can grow up to a height of 2 m. The large foliage is light green in color.

Traditionally for tomatoes, unripe berries are green in color. And also quite predictably, as they become ripe, they will turn red. On average, the mass of 1 tomato is 210-380 g. It is not surprising, given such a weight, that it also reaches a large size. The ribbing of the Big Beef is not great, the flat-circular geometric shape prevails; there are 4 or 5 fruits per 1 brush.

There were no complaints about the poor taste of this variety. Almost all consumers like it. The flesh of the fruit is firm and fleshy. The attractiveness of the scent is also noted. The seeds are almost invisible and do not have any significant effect on taste.

Big Beef in practice has confirmed its "early" status. It can ripen in 99 days after discarding the seedlings. But it is also necessary to take into account the peculiarities of specific weather conditions. After the formation of the first berries, fruiting will continue for a long time. Important: some sources write that this is a mid-season tomato that ripens in 100-110 days; it can be assumed that such a difference in estimates is related to the nuances of agricultural technology and actual conditions.

The variety belongs to the high-yielding group. Under favorable conditions, it can produce over 9 kg of fruit per 1 m2. In terms of 1 bush, the harvest will be 4.5 kg. This result can be achieved with standard agricultural techniques.

Usually, sowing seeds in containers is done in February or March. When choosing a specific period, they are guided by the local climate and long-term weather forecasts. Transplantation to a permanent place usually occurs 55 days after germination. It is better to carry out such a procedure in early May in order to increase protection against frost return.

It is recommended to choose a scheme of 700x600 mm. At the same time, there should not be more than 3 bushes on 1 "square". Otherwise, they will start to interfere with each other.

It is recommended to maintain the temperature + 18… 20 degrees, if possible. Even at night, it should not drop to less than +15 degrees. Drafts, even weak ones, are completely unacceptable. Direct sunlight can also be harmful. It is by the combination of such factors that one can confidently conclude that a greenhouse will be an ideal solution for such tomatoes.

The illumination in it should be large, at least 12 hours a day. It is better if this indicator is provided with a margin. In difficult conditions, for example, on cloudy days, additional lighting will have to be organized. It is recommended to use fluorescent lamps for it. Air humidity of 70% is optimal, but excessive dampness should also be avoided.

Big Beef requires much more active feeding than other varieties of tomatoes. The main emphasis should be on potash mixtures. Normally, they are brought in twice as much as nitrogen compounds. Watering the bushes should be done regularly, focusing on drying out the soil. When forming, pinching is recommended in 1 stem; this procedure is carried out every 7-10 days.

The variety is protected from:

• verticillosis;

• cladosporiosis;

• tobacco mosaic virus;

• late blight;

• gray spot.

Despite this resistance, it is desirable to help the plant. Systematic loosening and digging of the soil is strongly recommended. Protection with the help of preventive treatments with insecticides and other pesticides is also important. At the same time, it is impractical to use excessive dosages of reagents (in excess of those recommended by the manufacturers). As an alternative, an ash infusion or an infusion of onion husks is used.

Tomato Big Beef can tolerate low temperatures well. In the conditions of the north of the Russian Federation, this crop should grow in protected ground. There are no other special subtleties in weather protection.

Big Beef is officially approved for cultivation:

• in the center of the Black Earth Region;

• in the north and northwest of the European part of Russia;

• in the Volga-Vyatka region;

• in the North Caucasus (in any of its republics and regions);

• in the Middle Volga region;

• in the Moscow region and other regions of the middle of the European part.

Gardeners rate Big Beef very well. The ease of care is noted and the ability, despite this, to collect solid harvests. The fruits are tasty both fresh and after being placed in salads. The germination rate is quite decent. If you leave a small number of ovaries, the berries can reach enormous sizes.

And also the reviews say about:

• high power of the bushes;

• graceful appearance of fruits and their flat surface;

• decent durability in bad summer weather.