Tomato “Blagovest” is very popular among gardeners. Those who have grown it at least once in their garden speak only positively about it. This tomato variety has excellent fruit taste and high yield. Tomatoes are equally good both fresh and canned. High resistance to diseases makes it even more in demand among gardeners.
Description and characteristics of the tomato variety “Blagovest”
He is a representative of one of the best greenhouse hybrids. The tomato was bred by Russian seed breeders and registered in the Register in 1996. “Blagovest” is a high-yielding and early ripe variety. This medium-sized plant is determinant.
Sowing seeds should be done in early or closer to mid-March. After a month and a half (if climatic conditions do not allow, then you can do it a little later), the grown seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse.
A slightly leafy bush reaches a height of 150-170 cm, so it needs a mandatory garter to a support so that the stem does not break under the weight of ripe fruits. In addition to the stem, brushes also need a garter, on which a lot of fruits ripen.
When formed into two stems, the plant is able to produce more fruits. The leaves are medium in size and have a grey-green, glossy color.
The fruits of this tomato are not large, rounded, bright red, unripe have a white-green color. There is a small depression near the peduncle, it has a slightly pronounced ribbing on the sides, the fruit is glossy with a glossy tip, weighing an average of 90 to 120 grams.
It will take about a hundred days before the first harvest from the moment of planting. With proper planting and proper care, about five kilograms can be collected from one bush. Tomatoes “Blagovest” have excellent taste (not very sweet), they are good for fresh consumption, but are also great for harvesting. They are perfectly stored, so it is possible to transport them over considerable distances.
Distinctive advantages and disadvantages of tomato
This variety is very popular and has many positive reviews among those who have grown it at least once in their garden.
With proper care, a good harvest can be achieved not only by experienced gardeners, but also by beginners.
Advantages:
- seed germination is high, reaches almost 100%;
- resistance to pests and many diseases, such as tobacco mosaic virus, fusarium and cladosporiosis;
- precocity
- high yield (from 16 to 18 kilograms per square meter);
- active formation of brushes on the bush;
- dense and fleshy fruits are stored for a long time and have good transportability;
- attractive appearance of fruits and their universal use.
The disadvantages include:
- the need for mandatory garter bushes;
- more suitable for growing in a greenhouse (outdoors will not produce a high yield).
In the video, you can see clearly how Blagovest tomatoes are grown in greenhouse conditions.
How to grow
Grow tomato “Blagovest” in seedlings. Seeds are sown in boxes or special pots. The soil for seedlings should contain a fertile base. When the plant reaches the age of six to seven weeks, it must be transplanted to a permanent place in the greenhouse.
When planting seedlings, it should be borne in mind that an adult plant will be tall and sprawling, so it is recommended to plant no more than 3-4 plants per square meter. For good growth, the soil must be highly fertile – it must be fed with potash and superphosphate fertilizers (3-4 times per season), and loosened regularly.
Tomato “Blagovest” was bred for greenhouses, it will grow and bear fruit well in glass and film greenhouses. This heat-loving plant in the open field will not give a good harvest.
What features when growing a tomato “Blagovest” should be taken into account
This variety requires considerable attention, but at the same time it is able to please gardeners with a generous harvest.
- Dive should be carried out after the first pair of permanent leaves has fully formed (about a week and a half after germination). Do not do this earlier, the plant will still be too weak. 10 hours before the start of this procedure, you need to water the seedlings abundantly. Each container is filled with a substrate. To prevent stagnant water and rotting of the plant, several holes must be made at the bottom of the containers.
The plant should not be deeply immersed in the ground, this can slow down the development of the stem. After transplanting, you can not put the seedlings in a sunny place, there is a high probability that they will not take root, so it should be put in the shade for a day.
- It is necessary to form a bush so that the main growth falls on a side branch. This is done by removing all stepchildren until a cluster of flowers forms on the main stem. That stepchild, which is formed under the brush, is not removed. Tomato growth stops after the first flowers appear on the upper shoot.
On an additional stepson, the top is removed after the appearance of several inflorescences.
- Due to the size of the bush, the plant needs a mandatory garter. This applies to the main and side stem.
- Like all determinant varieties, the Blagovest tomato needs regular feeding, any of them is produced only after watering.
You can do this in several ways:
- liquid mineral fertilizers, which are diluted at the rate of 30 grams of concentrated fertilizer per square meter. This must be done every two weeks;
- mineral fertilizers. For the whole season they feed two or three times;
- double superphosphate with potash fertilizer – carried out three times per season.
- Water the plant should be plentiful, but not more than once every two weeks. Particular attention should be paid at the time of flowering and fruit formation. After watering, the soil is loosened, providing access to oxygen. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the root system, which is located close to the surface.
- The greenhouse must be constantly ventilated, especially after watering. To simplify this task for yourself, you can make windows at the ends. If the air temperature allows, then you can keep the door ajar and close it only at night. Overheating and hypothermia equally negatively affect tomato growth.
Ways to deal with possible pests and diseases
Tomato variety “Blagovest” is quite resistant to many diseases and pests. But sometimes there are problems:
- Deformation and twisting of the lower sheets. This may be due to a lack of nitrogen in the soil. The further development of the disease can be stopped by fertilizing with nitrogen. It is important not to exceed the required dosage, since an excess of this substance is also harmful;
- Phytophthora disease can be the result of improper care. With proper handling, you will never encounter this trouble.
The fruits of the tomato “Blagovest” have good taste, so they are suitable for eating.
It can be used fresh to make salads. Suitable for making juice, ketchup and sauces. Due to the dense pulp, good pickles and preparations for the winter are obtained.
In terms of characteristics, the tomato variety “Blagovest” is one of the best for growing indoors. To get a good harvest, you need to provide proper care, taking into account all the features of this variety.
