- Authors: USA
- Name synonyms: Delicious, Deliciosus, Delicious
- Category: grade
- Growth type: indeterminate
- Appointment: universal
- Ripening period: mid-season
- Ripening time, days: 110-115
- Bush size: medium-sized
- Bush height, cm: 150-160
- Foliage: medium
American tomato varieties have long been popular in Russia. Tomato Delicious refers to just such varieties. It is chosen for its taste and yield.
Breeding history
Tomato Delicious was bred in America in 1964 and is considered a fairly old crop. The originator of the variety was the well-known US company Burpee, which still exists and is focused on the creation of new varieties of vegetable crops.
The variety can be presented on the market under such names as:
Delicious (literal translation from English);
Deliciosus.
Description of the variety
Tomato Delicious is indeterminate, that is, with unlimited growth power. The height of the bush is 150-160 cm. The length can increase from excessive feeding.
The stem is strong and strong. Due to the strength of the plant's growth, it is necessary to think over a trellis system, or drive in pegs for tying. Without this, the bush will begin to slope and creep along the ground. It is recommended to keep 3 stems.
The leaves are small, oblong and narrow, there are few of them on the bush. The color of the leaf plate is deep green, glossy. The posterior surface is slightly lighter than the front, rough. The leaf has a mid-section with veins. The notch on the edging is large. Leaves can curl at the edges from drought and sun.
The first inflorescence is formed at the level of 6 leaves from the ground. Subsequent - in 1-2.
From 2 to 3 fruits ripen on one bunch.
The main qualities of the fruit
Tomatoes are round or flat-round, large. On average, the mass is from 300 to 500 g. There are also larger tomatoes weighing up to 600-800 g. This is typical for the first fruits.
The color of ripe fruits is pink-red or red-orange. The peel is thin, oily (from this you can see the characteristic gloss), ribbing is present. The peduncle is pressed into the fruit and is well attached to it. Slight cracking may occur around the stem.
The pulp is juicy, sugary, fleshy and non-watery. There are cameras inside, their number varies from 4 or more. They are small and not all have seeds. The seeds are small.
Tomato Delicious is consumed fresh, canned, sauces, ketchups and juices are prepared from it.
Taste characteristics
The Delicious variety got its name for a reason. From English it translates as "delicious". Therefore, many people note the exquisite sweet taste of the vegetable and a pleasant aftertaste.
Ripening and fruiting
The culture belongs to mid-season crops. Ripens in 110-115 days. Although the fruits are formed at the same time, fruiting at Delicious is long, from mid-July to August.
Yield
From one bush, you can collect from 1 to 1.5 kg of fruit.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Land for seedling boxes can be purchased or prepared in the fall. Before the formation of holes, the soil is poured abundantly with water. The pits are made with a depth of no more than 2 cm.
The seeds are soaked in melt water for some time. All floating seeds are thrown away. The rest are soaked in a cotton swab with a solution of potassium permanganate.
After sowing, the soil is again moistened with water and covered with foil or glass. The box is removed to the windowsill. The average room temperature should be +22 degrees.If the weather conditions do not please with the sun, then it is necessary to additionally arrange a backlight with a UV lamp.
The seeds will hatch in a week. After that, the film or glass can be removed. Water the bushes with warm water from a spray bottle. A pick is carried out after 2-3 leaves have formed in the seedlings.
Seedlings should be taken outside in early May. Planting should be carried out at a daily temperature of +16 degrees.
Growing tomato seedlings is an extremely important process, because it largely depends on whether the gardener will be able to harvest at all. All aspects must be taken into account, from seedbed preparation to planting in the ground.
Landing scheme
Before planting, the earth should be dug up and moistened. The holes are made shallow, only 15 cm each. The bushes are planted so that there are no more than 3-4 plants per 1 m2. This is necessary so that the branches do not interfere with each other, there is a uniform air circulation, and for convenient harvesting.
After planting seedlings, the soil is poured abundantly with water. The next watering takes place in a week.
Growing and care
In order for the harvest to be large, and the plant does not hurt, it is necessary to follow some rules.
It is worth building a watering schedule. Especially during the formation of ovaries. Watering is carried out once a week in the evening. In severe drought, you can increase it up to 2-3 times a week.
Top dressing for the season is carried out 3-4 times. In the active phase of growth, nitrogen-containing mixtures are introduced. During the formation of ovaries and fruits, elements with potassium and phosphorus are abundantly introduced.
The garter is one of the most important aspects of crop care. Timely attachment of the plant to the support will help to avoid breaks in the stem. Breaks are dangerous because the juice secreted in the cuts attracts insects and pests, such as the whitefly.
Removing extra stepsons and leaves has a beneficial effect on the formation of future fruits, as they will receive more useful microelements.
A plant needs different micronutrients at each stage of growth. All fertilizers can be divided into two groups: mineral and organic. Folk remedies are often used: iodine, yeast, bird droppings, eggshells.
It is important to observe the rate and period of feeding. This also applies to folk remedies and organic fertilizers.
