Tomato Sugar Bison is one of the most popular varieties among amateur gardeners and summer residents. Vegetable culture was bred not so long ago, in 2004, by Russian breeders led by V. Kochaynik. Having passed all the tests on a special site, the variety was included in the State Register for the Russian Federation.
The culture is intended for cultivation in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. The plant has many advantages over other similar crops. But in order to avoid low yield results, you need to know all the nuances of its cultivation.
Characteristics and description of the variety
Sugar Bison is a mid-season crop. The variety is indeterminate, in which the axial trunk is not limited in growth. On average, the height of the bush reaches 1,6–1,8 m. The plant is not very leafy, which contributes to good illumination of the fruit. The first ovary of 3–5 fruits is laid on the 6–7 leaf, followed by an interval of 1–2 leaves.
In one season, the crop yield is 8 kg. per 1 sq. m., from one bush to – 25 kg. The first ripening of a tomato falls on 90–111 days after germination.
General characteristics and description of fruits:
- Tomatoes have a rounded shape, in rare cases heart-shaped.
- The mass of the first fruits is 300-400 gr., in the later ones – 200 gr.
- In commercial maturity, the tomato is poured in pink or crimson.
- The pulp of the fruit is dense, not watery, with a juicy sugar taste and a strongly pronounced aroma.
The harvested fruits can retain their marketable appearance for a long time, which is an excellent indicator for those gardeners who grow vegetables for sale.
Variety varieties and their differences
The Sugar Buffalo has two subspecies, the Yellow Bison and the Black Bison. These varieties are of the determinant type, that is, with limited growth of the bush. The cessation of growth occurs due to the flower brush, which is formed on the central stem of the plant.
Distinctive features of these varieties are the following indicators:
- Bison Yellow has two main trunks, Black Bison has one powerful central stem.
- The color of the fruits of the Black Bison is a dark, purple-violet hue. The Yellow Bison has bright yellow or light orange fruits.
- The Black Bison has a specific fruity taste of tomatoes, while its counterpart has a sugar-sweet fruit taste.
- The fruits of the Yellow Bison are endowed with a dense skin, the Black Bison has a thinner one.
Otherwise, the varieties have a general similarity: they are flat-round in shape, weighing from 200 to 300 grams.
Similar varieties
The following varieties can be attributed to large-fruited indeterminate crops, which are similar in their qualities to the Sugar Bison:
- Abakan pink;
- Bull forehead;
- bull’s heart;
- Andreevsky surprise;
- Budenovka;
- Giant raspberry;
- Mazarin;
- Dulya.
Despite the general characteristics of ripening and fruit weight, the Sugar Bison variety has distinctive advantages and disadvantages.
Pros and Cons of Sugar Bison Tomato
Sugar Bison, like any other fruit crop, has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the variety include the following indicators:
- high yield;
- excellent taste;
- simultaneous ripening of fruits;
- uniform germination of seeds;
- drought tolerance;
- good immunity to diseases;
- long shelf life of fruits.
It is also worth noting that the variety is universal. Its fruits can be used both fresh and processed.
There are no major flaws in the culture. The only significant disadvantage of the variety is that during growth it often undergoes gray rot.
Landing
Sowing seeds of Sugar Buffalo begins in late February or early March. To make a landing, landing equipment and land are being prepared. As a container for seedlings, it is better to choose wooden or plastic boxes.
The soil can be prepared in the fall from your site or purchased at a store. To improve seed germination, the soil must be nutrient-rich, loose, with a pH level of 6,2 to 6,8.
Having prepared everything necessary, the seeds are treated with a disinfectant solution and checked for germination. After that, landing is carried out in the following order:
- In the soil located in the boxes, grooves are made 1.5 cm deep.
- Tomato seeds are laid and poured on top of them.
- The box is watered with a drip method with warm water.
At the end of the planting work, the boxes are covered with polyethylene film and removed to a warm, dark place. After 5-6 days, when the sprouts begin to hatch, the boxes are moved to a well-lit place, after removing the film from them.
When the first 2-3 leaves are formed on the plant, it is picked. The transplant is carried out in a new spacious place, with a clod of earth, without damaging the root system.
After 55–60 days, when the vegetable crop is fully strengthened, it is planted at a permanent place of growth.
Transfer to a permanent place
According to the recommendations of experts, in the northern regions of the country, it is better to plant Sugar Bison in a greenhouse in early May, in open ground in early June, when the air temperature at night will be 11 ° C. In this case, the seedling should have a healthy appearance, without damage to the trunk and withering of the foliage. If these requirements are met, it will be possible to proceed with the transplant process.
To the greenhouse
One week before planting the Sugar Buffalo, the greenhouse needs to be prepared. To do this, the soil is well loosened and disinfected with a special solution. So that the root system of young plants does not suffer from the cool earth, they form beds 35 cm high and 85 cm wide, which by the time of planting will have time to warm up under the sun’s rays.
A week later, they begin the following transplant work:
- The location of the seedlings is marked on the ridge. So that adult plants do not interfere with each other, a one-sided transplant scheme should be 60 × 50 cm.
- Holes are dug in the designated places, 30 cm deep and wide.
- Fertilizers for nightshade vegetable crops are added to the pit.
- Fertilizers mix well with the soil.
- Having well spilled the hole, a seedling is installed in it so that the root system is in the ground.
- The seedling is covered with earth, a hole is formed around it for further watering.
In open ground
A cloudy day is chosen for landing the Sugar Buffalo in the open ground. In order for the plant to take root well, the landing site needs to be dug up and cleared of weeds.
Next, the transplant is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Beds are prepared with a distance of 1 meter from each other.
- Stakes are driven in along the edges of the beds.
- Lacing is stretched from one peg to another.
- Holes are dug along the rope at a distance of 50 cm from each other. The depth of the pits must be at least 20 cm.
- Seedlings are installed in the prepared holes, so that the height of the seedling above ground level is about 15 cm. In this case, all lower leaves must be removed.
- The plant is covered with earth.
After planting, it is necessary to immediately water the seedlings with plenty of warm water and mulch the soil with rotted manure.
Agrotechnics of the Sugar Buffalo
Despite the fact that the Sugar Bison variety is endowed with many positive qualities, it is still demanding to care for. In order for the plant to take root well and later give a rich harvest, after transplanting seedlings, the following agrotechnical work must be performed:
- Feeding.
The first top dressing for plant growth is carried out 2 weeks after transplantation with mineral fertilizers. After 10 days, the procedure is recommended to be repeated. Also, for the quality of the fruit, you will need to regularly add boron, zinc, magnesium and manganese.
- Loosening.
In order for the roots of the plant to be well saturated with air, loosening of the near-stem circle is carried out 1 time in 2 weeks.
- Weed removal.
Between loosening, you need to regularly remove weeds that take nutrients from the soil.
- Watering.
The first watering carried out during transplantation will last for 2 weeks. Then the plant in dry weather is regularly watered with warm water. On cloudy days, watering is reduced to 2 times.
- Stealing.
In order for the root system to provide the plant with sufficient nutrients, it is necessary to remove extra shoots and inflorescences on the main stem weekly.
- Topping.
To increase the mass of the fruit, the shoots on which the inflorescences bloom are pinched after 2 leaves from the ovary.
- Tying up.
Since the Sugar Buffalo is a tall crop with large fruits, it must be tied to a peg or other support.
By observing the rules of agrotechnical work, you can not only achieve a high yield, but also avoid various diseases that lead to the death of the plant.
Prevention of diseases and pests
Sugar Bison has good resistance to various diseases. However, under adverse conditions, it can still be subject to some diseases.
The most common diseases that a variety can become infected with are:
To prevent infection, you need to plant seedlings without mechanical damage with a sustained distance. If the plant has undergone a disease, it must be treated with fungicides.
To avoid this disease, it is not recommended to plant tomatoes near potatoes. To combat the disease, you can use Bordeaux solution or garlic infusion.
To prevent this disease, you need to regularly remove fading and dead leaves from the bush. When the bush has already been infected, it is recommended to treat it with a chemical preparation from the pesticide group.
In addition to these diseases, there are cases of plant death from pests. The most dangerous parasites for the variety are:
- bear;
- whitefly;
- Colorado beetle;
- nightshade miner;
- spider mite.
In the fight against these insects, you can use special chemicals, such as: “Intavir”, “Lightning”, “Aktellik” or “Mitak”.
Cooking application
The Sugar Bison variety has such tasty, sweet and fragrant fruits that they can be served both as light salads with other vegetables, and as a separate fresh dish.
Due to the dense and juicy pulp, tomatoes are ideal for preparing hot dishes such as:
- classic gazpacho;
- tomato soup;
- pizza;
- hot sandwiches;
- sun-dried, stuffed tomatoes, etc.
The fruits are also ideal for preparing cold snacks, natural juices and preservation. If the year turns out to be fruitful, Sugar Buffalo tomatoes can be used for winter salads, pickles, cooking adjika and sauces.
In addition, some cooks have found an extraordinary purpose for the fruits of this variety, using them to make jams and jams.
Having considered the characteristics of the Sugar Bison tomato variety, you can see for yourself that this crop is ideal for all regions of Russia. Subject to the rules of planting, agricultural technology and preventive maintenance, the plant will thank you with a rich harvest. The high palatability of the fruits will allow not only to cook all kinds of dishes, but also to enjoy their fresh taste for a long time.
