Description of the tomato variety Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate tomatoes are mid-season tomatoes that begin to bear fruit abundantly 3.5-4 months after germination. The plant is indeterminate, its shoots are not limited in growth, so most often the bushes are planted in a greenhouse. There the tomato reaches a height of 1.5-1.7 m.
Bushes of the Black Chocolate variety look like vines, the foliage is average. The fruits set well, each cluster forms up to 12 small tomatoes. The average weight of cherry tomatoes does not exceed 30 g. The tomatoes are round in shape without pronounced ribbing. The color is a pleasant purple-brown color, with a green spot near the stalk. The fruits of the Dark Chocolate variety have one peculiarity - they can be easily ripened at home, and their taste does not deteriorate.
Important! Tomatoes of this variety are not a hybrid, which allows you to collect your seeds for further cultivation.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The tomato variety is susceptible to pests and diseases. But prevention is still worth carrying out.
- This is crop rotation, and if it is not possible to do this in the greenhouse, then before planting the greenhouse must be treated with sulfur.
- Ventilate, that is, open doors and transoms to avoid increased humidity.
- Do not thicken the plantings: access to sunlight is the key to health.
- Feed and water plants on time so that their immunity can resist diseases.
Or you can recommend whey for spraying in a ratio of 1 liter of water and 1 liter of whey. Lactic acid bacteria, like yeast, when multiplying, will destroy foreign spores on plants.
Namely, this disease is dangerous for the long-term fruiting of indeterminate tomato varieties.
Taste qualities of fruits
The description states that the Dark Chocolate tomato is not suitable for canning; it is used only fresh. The skin of the fruit is thin and cracks easily when picked and pickled.
The pulp of this variety is juicy, moderately dense, and sugary. In reviews, summer residents indicate that there is sourness in the taste, but it does not somewhat spoil the tomatoes, but harmoniously combines with their sweetness.
Tasting rating of the Dark Chocolate tomato – 5. The taste is rich, fruity, and the aroma is pleasant. The concentration of sugars and acids is harmonized.
Advice! In order for the fruits to be tasty and rich brown in color, it is better for them to ripen completely on the bushes.
Pros and cons of the Dark Chocolate tomato variety
Cherry tomatoes Dark chocolate have a number of positive characteristics. And one of them is the good immunity of tomatoes. The bushes resist the main diseases of tomato crops, but prevention should not be abandoned. In addition, the variety has found fans due to its qualities:
- unusual type of fruit;
- pleasant taste;
- high yields;
- ripening abilities.
Dark chocolate tomatoes are undemanding in care; their cultivation is not much different from ordinary tall varieties.
However, tomatoes are not without their drawbacks:
- poor transport characteristics;
- the need to form bushes and garters.
In addition, many people do not like the fact that Dark Chocolate cannot be canned. And in some regions, tomatoes can only be grown in greenhouses, since they do not adapt well to harsh climates and cannot tolerate cold spells and sudden temperature fluctuations.
Growing and care
By adhering to the recommendations below, you can achieve decent tomato yields in almost any region. Interestingly, the variety is suitable for growing at home (according to reviews, on the balcony under a lamp).
The main stages from propagation of seedlings to harvesting:
- propagation of “Dark Chocolate” seedlings should begin in early to mid-March (like any similar tomato with an average ripening period). There are known ways to check seeds for quality (if they drown in water after half an hour, then with a high degree of probability the seeds will germinate decently) and stimulate growth with aloe juice. Beginning gardeners/gardeners should take note of these. An easy-to-make mixture of equal amounts of peat, humus and sand guarantees balanced nutrition for the seedlings. It is important to maintain a distance between the seeds (no more than 3 cm) and deepen them by approximately 2 cm (no more). Water the seedlings regularly, immediately after sowing, spray with warm, settled water, and then, as necessary. When growing a plant, you need to ensure that the soil does not dry out, that it is warm (ideally 22 ° C) and light;
- Ready seedlings of this species are planted at the age of 60 days from the first shoots (that is, approximately at the end of May - beginning of June), after the appearance of the 3rd leaf. There is no need to pick plants from peat pots, but from snails or ordinary containers it is necessary to pick (carefully, without damaging the main root);
- caring for tomatoes in a greenhouse is not much different from caring for any tall plant.
Maintain a planting density of about 3 bushes per 1 m². Thus, light will be provided to the fruits. If possible, add a small amount of wood ash under each root. The bushes are immediately tied up using a durable support, to which heavy branches with fruits will be attached in the future. Form a bush into one - two, maximum three stems. It is advisable to tie the plant up, as if entwining ropes around it. Caring for planted seedlings involves moderate watering with soft, not cold water, and feeding the bush. This variety does not tolerate chemical fertilizers. It is recommended to feed it once a week, alternating bird droppings, crushed chalk, and ash. You can sow peas and mustard between the rows. The crown of especially tall plants is pinched. Control of all kinds of pests and diseases - depending on the situation. Most often you have to deal with damage from late blight, rot of all kinds. The undeniable advantage of the “Dark Chocolate” variety is its resistance to classic types of tomato diseases, so this tomato will not cause much trouble. The main thing is to devote enough time to fertilizing the soil and taking preventive measures. It is interesting that the entire bush with the remaining green fruits is dug up for ripening.
Agricultural technology tomato Dark chocolate
You need to grow Dark Chocolate cherry tomatoes in the country using the seedling method. Sowing begins early; seeds are planted already in mid-March. Before sowing, they must be checked for germination. Otherwise, growing seedlings is no different.
Growing seedlings
To get good strong seedlings, Black Chocolate tomato seeds are planted in disinfected soil, which is then enriched with organic matter and mineral fertilizers.
The distance between the seeds in the container is 2-3 cm. If the Dark Chocolate tomato seeds are good, then shoots will appear in 3-4 days. All this time, the container with the plantings should be kept warm and in good light. To create a greenhouse effect, the container is covered with film.
Attention! To ensure friendly seedlings, the room temperature is maintained at 18-22 °C.
Water the seedlings carefully so that they do not get sick with blackleg. The soil in the container should be moist, but not wet. Watering is carried out as needed so that the soil does not dry out. Warm water is used, which is pre-settled.
Tomato seedlings Dark chocolate responds well to fertilizing, which increases the yield and endurance of plants. Experienced gardeners use universal mineral mixtures, which must be diluted strictly according to the instructions.
Landing rules
Tomato seedlings are transferred to the garden bed at the age of 55-60 days. It is at this moment that the plant is ready for further cultivation and formation. As a rule, the optimal time is mid or late May, when the soil warms up well.
Recommended planting pattern: per 1 sq. m no more than 3 bushes. The distance between plants is from 40 to 50 cm. It is not recommended to thicken the plantings; this has a bad effect on the yield and taste of the fruit, leads to diseases, and inhibits plant growth.
Watering and fertilizing
Cherry tomatoes are watered more often than usual, but there is no need to over-water the soil. It is enough to moisten the soil well every 3 days. After watering, be sure to mulch the beds to maintain moisture until next time.
Cherry tomatoes need fertilizing. The Dark Chocolate variety responds well to foliar fertilizers. For this purpose, infusion of ash and superphosphate are used. You should not use fresh organic mixtures or mullein, as this will harm the plants.
The following feeding has a good effect on the growth and formation of ovaries:
- water –10 l;
- whey – 1 l;
- iodine – 15 drops.
Mix all ingredients and spray the bushes well in the evening.
Pinching and tying
Tomatoes of the Dark Chocolate variety are grown on trellises. The central stem is tied up so that the leaves do not lie on the ground, otherwise rotting, late blight, and blossom end rot will begin. Fruit branches should also be tied up; if there are too many tomatoes, they may break.
All stepsons that are located above the flower brush are cut off. In addition, you need to periodically cut out the lower leaves. If this is not done, the bush will grow leaves and shoots, and flowering and fruit formation will be delayed.
Formation
Tomato Dark chocolate needs shaping. Bushes are grown in 1-2 stems. The strongest stepson is left, the rest are removed. This will help increase the yield of the variety.
Protection from diseases and pests
The variety resists major diseases well, but as a preventative measure, the bushes are sprayed with a yeast solution. To do this, to 10 liters of water you need to add 1 packet of dry yeast or 50 g of regular yeast, 2 tbsp. l. Sahara. Mix everything well and let it ferment. Then dilute 1 tbsp. infusion in 10 liters of water and spray the bushes. This feeding helps prevent the appearance of fungal diseases and many pests.
Planting and caring for the variety
Plants are planted in a permanent place in the phase of at least 7-8 true leaves. The soil in the greenhouse is disinfected, fertilized and thoroughly loosened. Make holes at least 25 cm deep. 3-4 plants are planted per 1 square meter. A long trellis is immediately placed in the hole, to which the plants will later be attached. 1 large spoon of wood or grass ash is poured into the bottom of the hole. Then the plant is placed there and sprinkled with soil.
Plants are tied when fruits begin to set. The bush is best formed into 2 trunks. This will distribute the load on the plant. Remove excess shoots with pruning shears, leaving stumps 2-3 cm in size.
Watering after transplantation is carried out daily. After the seedlings have established themselves, watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. During abundant fruiting, watering is resumed.
It is also worthwhile to ventilate the room daily. If the weather is too hot, do not close the door or vents all day long. If the night temperature differs greatly from the day temperature, by more than 7 degrees, then you should close the door and all ventilation openings at night.
The variety is very responsive to fertilization. But, in principle, it can do without them, but to improve fruiting and productivity, it is worth carrying out at least three feedings. The first - a week after transplantation to a permanent place. The second during the period of fruit filling. The third - after the first wave of harvest.
Read also: Fertilizer from weeds and grass - how to use, properties
You should also not forget about loosening the soil around the plant and between plants. Remove weeds in a timely manner.
