Features of growing Demidov tomato variety

Characteristics and description of the variety

It's worth noting that the Demidov tomato is a young variety, developed in Russia this century. Despite its artificial origin, the vegetable possesses all the characteristics of a natural variety.

When purchasing seeds of this variety, you can read the following description on the packaging: mid-season determinate vegetable, ripening period – 100-110 days.

The plant's bushes are quite branched, reaching a height of 65 cm. The variety's leaves are large and dark green. They resemble potato leaves. Demidov is not a hybrid, meaning it is a natural variety of tomato, not artificially bred. Tomato seeds can be effectively harvested at home; there's no need to purchase them. However, the variety's description describes it as being resistant to weather changes and temperature fluctuations. Even sudden cold snaps do not affect fruit formation.

The vegetable is not prone to diseases, but if the bushes are not sufficiently moistened, they can be affected by blossom-end rot. The crop variety is grown in a greenhouse or hotbed.

The fruits of the Demidov variety are round and have a slight silvery sheen. They are juicy and aromatic. When ripe, the tomatoes are pink. Unripe tomatoes have a dark spot at the base. They have good shelf life and can be ripened indoors, for example, on a windowsill in direct sunlight. The tomatoes are quite large, weighing over 100 grams.

The Demidov bush doesn't require shaping, which also simplifies care. Its branches don't spread out much, preventing it from becoming overcrowded.

The inflorescences are characterized by the following: the first one forms after the 6th or 7th leaf, with subsequent ones appearing after each pair of leaves. The peduncle divides into several at its base.

This tomato variety is best eaten raw or as a salad ingredient. It is rarely used for pickling or preserving.

The crop's description indicates good fertility. The Demidov variety can yield up to 47,000 kilograms per hectare. Moreover, almost all the fruits are marketable.

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Where is the best place to grow?

The variety is primarily grown in protected soil. In this case, the growing region is not particularly important, as the conditions are artificially created by gardeners.

As for open-air cultivation, the Volga-Vyatka and West Siberian regions are the most suitable climate conditions. This is because the plant tolerates low temperatures and fluctuating temperatures.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Like any vegetable, Demidov tomatoes have their advantages and disadvantages. Specifically, the variety's advantages include:

• High fertility. Demidov produces large yields, making it suitable for industrial cultivation;
• A good marketable appearance makes the crop the basis for commercial industry;
• Large, even fruits serve an aesthetic function: even whole fruits look very appetizing and attractive;
• The pleasant taste and aroma, as well as the juiciness of the fruits, brought the vegetable great popularity;
• The crop's resistance to changes in weather conditions and temperature fluctuations significantly simplifies its care, which cannot but please gardeners;
• Disease resistance.

As for the disadvantages, the variety has few of them:

• Failure to follow plant care rules, in particular insufficient watering, leads to rotting of the top of the bush and cracking of the fruits.

Features of cultivation

The characteristics of Demidov indicate the capriciousness of the culture, as well as the fact that it has its own cultivation characteristics.

Sowing and caring for seedlings

Like most vegetables, Demidov tomatoes are grown from seedlings. The seeds are sown in late March, sometimes as early as April. Until the sprouts emerge, the seed tray should be covered with plastic wrap or cellophane. Once the seedlings emerge, the "covering" is removed, and the container is moved to a sunny windowsill.

After the true leaves appear on the seedlings of the variety, they need to be transplanted into separate containers.

Top dressing

Throughout the plant's development cycle, as the description suggests, it should be fertilized several times. This process should be repeated twice, or even three times, using complex mineral fertilizers. A week before transplanting the seedlings to their permanent location, they should be hardened off. To do this, take them outside for a few hours. If the weather doesn't permit, simply place the containers with the seedlings near an open window.

Transplanting into soil

In mid- to late May, seedlings can be planted under cellophane or in protected soil. For successful cultivation in open ground, this procedure should be carried out no earlier than June. The description recommends planting the variety, or more precisely, its bushes, every half meter, maintaining a distance of 60 centimeters between rows.

The age of the seedlings can also help determine the appropriate time for transplanting. It's best to transplant them to their permanent location when they're 60-65 days old. This period coincides with the emergence of 5-7 fully developed leaves.

Care

In principle, caring for Demidov tomatoes is not significantly different from caring for its relatives, but it still has its own specifics.

Watering newly planted seedlings should be done in the evening. The water used should be warmed by sunlight. Otherwise, the plants may get burned.

The soil in which tomatoes grow must be loose and airy. Therefore, weeding the beds is an essential part of care.

Hilling is beneficial for the roots of the plant. While the plants are growing in their permanent location, it's worth fertilizing them with mineral fertilizers.

Diseases and pests

The variety description suggests that Demidov vegetables are disease-resistant. However, the characteristics of the tomatoes suggest that if care recommendations are not followed, the variety may be susceptible to blossom-end rot. Signs of the disease include the appearance of large, brown spots on the top of the fruit, under which the flesh is susceptible to rotting.

To avoid this, it's important to carefully follow the watering schedule and fertilize the crop, following the care instructions. Fertilizers can be used: Humifield, Megafol, or Calcium Brexid.

To prevent pests from attacking the variety, it's necessary to treat the plants with insecticides. Vegetables can be attacked by Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and spider mites. As for pest control, there are many options: from mechanically eliminating the Colorado potato beetle to treating the vines with special pesticides.

The Demidov variety is a favorite of many. Its description speaks only of its positive qualities, which compensate for the plant's minor shortcomings.

So, anyone can grow the Demidov variety. The key is to thoroughly study its description and specific features. The characteristics of the Demidov tomato variety are very similar to those of a hybrid, as is its ease of care. Therefore, even novice gardeners, by following all the care guidelines, can reap a bountiful tomato harvest. Give it a try—and you're sure to succeed!

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