Tomato Martha: photo and description, characteristics of the variety

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Gardeners from the southern regions of Russia are lucky: they can cultivate almost all varieties of tomatoes on their plots. But for a cool climate, finding hybrids and varieties of nightshade crops is not so easy. Experienced vegetable growers say: one of the best varieties is Marfa tomato. Even under the most unfavorable climatic conditions, the bushes of this variety give a rich harvest. True, for this it is necessary to observe all the features of care, to grow a tomato in a greenhouse or in a shelter. Today we propose to talk about how to grow a Marfa tomato on your site. Photos, reviews, advantages and disadvantages are waiting for you below!

Characteristics of the hybrid

Martha belongs to the hybrids of the first generation. It was bred thanks to the efforts of breeders from Holland. The variety was entered in the State Register of our country as intended for cultivation in the open field in the southern and central regions, in the closed field - in the northern regions of the country.

Tomato Martha tall, indeterminate. Heightone bush can reach about 170 centimeters. Plants are medium leafy, bushes are not sprawling. Tomato leaves are small, they are characterized by a rich light green color. The bushes have a powerful root system, simple inflorescences. The very first is formed after the 7th leaf, the next - every next three. Speaking about the characteristics of Marfa tomato, it should be noted that this hybrid belongs to late varieties: it will be possible to enjoy ripe fruits no earlier than 135 days after the first shoots appear.

The main feature of the tomato is the presence of immunity to the most common diseases that often affect representatives of the nightshade family. Marfa is not afraid of fusarium, cladosporiosis, tobacco mosaic virus. Tomatoes of this variety can be cultivated both in greenhouses and greenhouse shelters, as well as in open beds. Bushes tolerate adverse weather and cold snaps well.

Tomato Marfa: fruit description

Usually fruiting begins in the second half of July, it ends with the arrival of the first frost. The weight of one ripe tomato of this variety can reach 150 grams. Gardeners note high yields throughout the entire fruiting period. About 8 fruits are formed on one brush, the yield of the Marfa variety is high - seven kilograms of neat rounded vegetables can be harvested from one bush.

Tomato pulp is quite juicy, not watery. The taste is sweet, there is a slight sourness. In a state of technical maturity, Marfa tomatoes acquire a rich red color. Inside, the tomatoes do not have too many seeds, the skin is smooth and dense, a small depression and a speck of yellow-red color usually form at the stalk. Tomatoes of this variety are distinguished by excellent presentation, they can be stored for a long time after harvest. Speaking about the application, gardeners note: the variety is suitable for fresh consumption, for making sauces, ketchup, juices and soups. Tomatoes are small, so they are great for canning as a whole. It is important to note that during s alting, Marfa tomatoes (in the photo you can see the vegetables in the section) do not crack, they retain their shape.

Variety Benefits

In reviews of the Marfa variety tomato, gardeners say: it has a lot of advantages. These include excellent seed germination, crop stability, fruiting duration. Gardeners are also pleased that after harvesting, the fruits are stored for a long time. Plants are resistant to various diseases, tolerate adverse climate and sudden temperature drops.

Disadvantages of the variety

Gardeners did not find significant shortcomings in tomatoes of this variety. The only thing that complicates their care is the need to tie the bushes to supports or trellises. If this is not done, the stems or branches will simply break off under the weight of the fruit.

Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings

In order to ensure the maximum percentage of germination, Marfa tomato seeds must be placed in a small fabric bag before sowing, and then placed on the battery for severaldays. After that, it is recommended to impregnate them with any growth stimulant. The best options are Epin, potassium humate solution.

Experienced gardeners recommend that planting material be disinfected: for this you need to put it in a solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide for a day. The land for seedlings also requires special attention. The soil must be heated in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 100 degrees, or shed with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. This will destroy any viral and fungal diseases, neutralize pest larvae.

Immediately after that, you can start evicting the seeds - pour fertile soil into the container, make grooves no more than a centimeter deep, put Marfa tomato seeds in them, sprinkle soil on top and moisten with a spray bottle. After that, it is recommended to cover the containers with glass or film, place in a warm place. As soon as the first shoots appear, the shelter must be removed.

Preparing the seat

For growing tomatoes, experienced gardeners recommend choosing a southwestern, southeastern or southern plot. A good harvest will be given by those tomatoes that were planted near the southern wall of buildings or a fence. Please note: tomatoes can be successfully grown in the same place for two to three years, although organic fertilizers should be applied before planting.

The best predecessors for nightshade are cucumbers, zucchini, onions and cabbage. But after pepper, potatoes, eggplant, growing tomatoes is notfollows: the yield will be low, the risk of diseases will increase.

Gardeners say: it is necessary to prepare the soil for planting tomatoes in the fall, after the entire crop has been harvested from the site. The earth should be dug up and thoroughly shed with a solution of copper sulfate. For 10 liters of warm water, you need only one tablespoon of the product.

In the spring, you need to do another top dressing: mix peat, humus, add sawdust. Organic fertilizers should be added to this mixture: superphosphate (three tablespoons) and wood ash (about 500 grams). After that, the soil must be dug up again, thoroughly shed with a solution of lime. All these procedures, gardeners say, are recommended to be done 10-12 days before you plant seedlings in a permanent place. Organic fertilizers containing nitrogen can also be applied to the soil.

Transplanting seedlings into the ground

Gardeners recommend planting Marfa tomato in a permanent place at the end of May - the first decade of June, after the danger of frost has passed, stable warm weather will set in. Plants must be placed in rows, the distance between the bushes is best kept at least 30-40 cm. There should be at least 50 centimeters between rows. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the holes, each of them needs to be watered, a small amount of fertilizer must be applied. By the way, withered seedlings take root much worse, start to hurt and lag far behind in development. So it’s better to plant Marfa tomatoes in a garden or in a greenhousejust as soon as you take it out of the cup.

In the event that the seedlings are very stretched out, it can be planted in a prone position. On the deepening of the stem, additional roots are formed, thanks to which the bushes will grow faster and stronger.

Tomato care

The main task of the gardener when caring for tomatoes is the timely hilling of the soil, loosening, fertilization, watering, bush formation and timely preventive measures aimed at combating pests and diseases. Every 10-12 days, experienced vegetable growers recommend loosening the soil.

The first time this procedure must be carried out 10 days after planting the plants in a permanent place. Right before loosening, it is necessary to water the plants: hilling with moist soil will help accelerate the formation of new roots on the stem. After 20 days, a second hilling will be required. The best time for this process is in the afternoon, cloudy weather.

Throughout the summer, it is recommended to feed tomatoes with organic and mineral fertilizers. The first top dressing should be carried out no later than 10-12 days after planting seedlings in a permanent place. This will require 10 liters of mullein solution, 20 grams of superphosphate. One such bucket is enough for ten plants. After 2 weeks, the plants will need another top dressing, it is best if it is dry mineral fertilizers. A plot of one square meter will require a mixture of 20 grams of superphosphate, 15 grams of potassium s alt and 10 gramsammonium nitrate. Another such top dressing should be done in two weeks.

Due to the fact that the Martha tomato is tall, it needs timely tying to stakes or a special rope that is stretched along the rows. Stakes are recommended to be placed on the north side, the distance between the stem and the stakes should be about 10 centimeters. It is recommended to tie the plants for the first time immediately after planting the seedlings, and the second and third - as the plant grows, at the level of the second and third brush.

Reviews

In reviews of the Martha tomato, gardeners say: this variety is not at all afraid of top rot, fusarium, tobacco mosaic virus. In addition, the plant is resistant to some pests. Tomatoes are very tasty, have a slight sourness. Due to the fact that the plants are not very large, they are great for canning as a whole. A fresh vegetable is also good: it is suitable for making salads and sandwiches.