Tomato is considered the most popular vegetable crop. Its juicy pulp and pleasant taste make it a real favorite among consumers. This vegetable is used for preservation and fresh consumption.
It contains more than 50 useful micro and macro compounds for the human body. It has been scientifically proven that regular consumption of tomatoes of different varieties helps normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
The fruits contain potassium, magnesium and ascorbic acid; these minerals have a positive effect on the body's immune defense.
Surely every gardener dreamed of an unusual variety of vegetable crops that would be able to diversify the diet and serve as a decorative decoration in winter preparations. One of these is considered to be the goldfish tomato.
Description of the variety and characteristics of the fruit
Goldfish is an indeterminate variety; the tomato grows up to 1.9 m . Such crop growth requires gartering and bush formation. It grows and bears fruit both in greenhouses and in open ground, if the street temperature allows.
Unlike other varieties, this tomato has a number of advantages : it grows easily and bears fruit in unfavorable conditions with increased rainfall and temperature changes. Even in such an environment, its yield does not decrease, as happens with other types of tomatoes.
The variety Goldfish is a mid-season variety . The fruits ripen within 105-120 days after the first shoots peck.
Vegetables have the following characteristics:
- small fruits weigh 90-110 g;
- There are up to six of them on one hand;
- color is bright yellow, closer to orange;
- the vegetable pulp is dense and meaty;
- The shape of the fruit is oblong, there is a kind of spout at the tip;
- The taste of the tomatoes is excellent, the pulp has a pleasant sweetness.
Features of cultivation
Due to the long ripening period of this period, it is recommended to sow the Goldfish tomato as early as possible, you can start as early as February. The deadline can be considered the first ten days of March.
Growing tomato seedlings is done in the traditional way. It is only necessary to take into account the tendency of tomatoes of this variety to be affected by blossom end rot, so be sure to monitor balanced feeding throughout the entire growing period: from seedlings to harvesting.
Tomato seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse as early as mid-May, but for planting in open ground it is better to wait until the beginning of calendar summer. The best planting scheme for tomato plants of this variety is 50x60 cm.
Before planting, fill the soil with ash and lime so as to be sure of sufficient calcium content in the soil. However, caution should be exercised, since excess calcium is just as harmful as its deficiency.
How to grow seedlings
To get a well-developed and healthy plant, you need to take proper care of the seedlings . You can purchase it in nurseries or from trusted gardeners, but you cannot be completely sure of the planting material. Therefore, many people grow seedlings on their own.
Seed preparation
Store-bought fresh seeds require a minimum of preparation . The packaging often indicates that they are fully prepared. The producers have already done everything necessary, and their result can be reduced to zero by the inept actions of the vegetable grower. Such seeds are soaked in plain water before sowing, unless otherwise indicated on the package. You will need to tinker a little with your own seeds from last year’s harvest.
Step-by-step preparation includes the following activities:
- Seed selection. They are placed in a 3% solution of table salt. Those grains that float after 5-7 minutes are not used; they can be safely thrown away. After the procedure, good seeds are washed with water.
- Disinfection of seed material is carried out for 20-30 minutes in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate, after which the seeds are washed with water.
- The seeds are kept in damp gauze until they hatch.
- When this happens, the fabric with all the grains is placed in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Periodically they are taken out for 2-3 hours and put back.
Capacity
Dishes for seedlings are of no small importance . Seeds can be sown in various containers:
- wooden boxes;
- pots for seedlings;
- cassette trays;
- peat tablets;
- disposable glasses.
Moreover, each of the options has its pros and cons . Cassette trays or boxes are more convenient and economical: they grow a large number of seedlings and care for all the sprouts at the same time. If necessary, containers can always be moved to another location. They are compact and inexpensive. But shallow dishes are suitable for growing seedlings only until the moment of picking.
In deep trays or boxes, the roots of adult sprouts may get tangled, and when separating them it will be difficult not to damage them. If the seedlings are damaged, they will take a long time to take root or even die. The best option would be to choose trays or cassettes with partitions.
On a note. The most suitable trays or cassettes have cell sizes of 6-7 cm wide and 10-15 cm high. When purchasing a container, pay attention to what it is made of. It is better to buy a tray (cassette) made of polystyrene. Do not purchase containers made of polyvinyl chloride, it contains toxic substances.
The best inexpensive option would be pots or disposable cups . Seedlings can be grown in them until the plant is transplanted into open ground. The downside of containers is that they take up a lot of space. There must be drainage holes at the bottom of the dish.
The ideal option is peat tablets or cups .
They promote root development and prevent seedlings from rotting. The plant is placed in the soil along with the container, since the peat dissolves in the ground over time. The disadvantage of peat containers is their cost.
Fertilizer application
Varieties with an unlimited growth type, such as the one described, require intensive nutrition.
- The first application of fertilizers is carried out 10 days after planting in a permanent place. Add urea or ammonium nitrate. Application rates are indicated on the packaging.
- The second feeding is carried out at the moment of laying flower clusters. During this period, tomatoes need increased amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, potassium monophosphate or superphosphate is added to the plants.
When applying fertilizers of the phosphorus-potassium group, you can use organic matter. For example, fermented mullein gives a good effect. To prepare it, fresh cattle manure is filled into a barrel. After this, it is topped up with water. After 7-10 days, fermentation begins, this is evidenced by air bubbles on the surface. Before use, the resulting concentrate is diluted in a ratio of 1:10. Fertilizer must be applied to pre-watered soil.
Fertilizing with mullein is repeated at the moment of fruit set. If mullein is not available, you can prepare a fermented nettle solution. The cooking process is as follows:
- crushed nettle is tightly packed into a plastic bag;
- the package is left in the sun for 5-10 days;
- When the grass turns into a homogeneous mass, the fertilizer is ready.
Before use, the resulting concentrate is diluted in a ratio of 1:10.
How to grow tomatoes
Growing a yellow-fruited tomato variety consists of several stages , at each of which it is important to follow cultivation technology. The variety is grown both in greenhouses and in open ground.
Landing
There are no special agricultural techniques here; you need to follow simple general rules :
- The variety is planted in the same way as all tall tomatoes: 40 cm are left between plants, and 60-70 cm between rows.
- Seedlings are planted in the greenhouse at the end of April, and in open ground - depending on the region.
- The holes are made approximately 20-25 cm deep; a small amount of soil with a teaspoon of complex fertilizer or superphosphate in combination with potassium nitrate is placed at the bottom of each.
- Fresh manure is not applied to tomatoes in the spring for two reasons: young plants can “burn out” from the high urea content, and if the crop does not die from the fertilizer, it will begin to fatten, that is, more green mass will grow to the detriment of fruit set. Therefore, manure is applied to tomatoes in the fall, and in the spring they are fertilized with decomposed compost or humus.
- The seedlings should be 60-70 days old at the time of planting.
- For prevention purposes, the plant after planting is treated with copper oxychloride (30 g per 10 liters of water).
- Overgrown seedlings are planted lying down, deepening the stem to the first leaves.
Care
Tomatoes are fed at least three times:
- After planting, two weeks later, the plant is fertilized with a solution of mullein or bird droppings (700 g per 10 liters of water), and ready-made preparations “Vermisil” and “Gumisol” are also used.
- The second time the fertilizer is applied at the time when flowers appear on the second brush. The culture is fed with a superphosphate solution (a glass of the drug per bucket of water).
- When the first fruits begin to ripen, a third feeding is carried out. Again, use a solution of mullein with the addition of complex fertilizer (50-100 g per bucket). At least 2 liters of solution is poured under each bush.
Foliar feeding also gives good results . The bushes are sprayed with a solution of superphosphate at the rate of 1 tbsp. l per 1 liter of water.
Tomatoes do not need to be watered too often . The Goldfish variety comes from arid, hot regions and does not experience a lack of moisture in normal years. During drought, especially if the crop grows in a greenhouse where there is no rain, water it at least once every 7-10 days.
After watering, when the water is well absorbed, they are loosened and moist soil is thrown to the stem . This promotes the formation of additional roots and makes the plant more resistant to negative factors and increases productivity. Along with loosening, weeds are removed.
The fruit is tied to a simple metal mesh with a polymer coating or a purely polymer mesh with cells of at least 50x50 mm . The mesh is located between the supports and is attached to them, and the tomatoes are already tied to it.
The Goldfish variety is an indeterminate plant (that is, it grows constantly) . The bush is formed into one stem. All shoots on the tomato are removed, even those located at the bottom of the plant, leaving only flower stalks. In addition, forked shoots are cut off, and if the top has split into two parts, then the strongest side is left.
Important! Once a week, stepsoning is carried out. This allows the bush to ventilate and receive the maximum amount of light.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
The Goldfish variety is sown for seedlings in early March . Tall tomatoes already show great growth during the seedling period. They will shade other plants on the windowsill and take up a lot of space.
In addition to the traditional transplant, which is carried out when the first true leaves appear, another 2-3 may be required , since the plants will quickly fill cups or pots with roots.
Already at the sowing stage, it is necessary to take into account the risk of infection with fungal diseases . The seeds are washed in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate, and the soil is disinfected by pouring boiling water over it well, or heated in the oven to 100°C. Soil cultivation is carried out a week before sowing.
About other varieties of yellow tomatoes:
Resistant tomatoes with high yields - “Golden Domes” tomato
A beautiful person in your garden - the Golden Queen tomato
Diseases and pests
The most common diseases and pests affecting the variety:
- crown rot;
- aphid;
- Colorado beetle.
The most harmful thing to the plant is the Colorado potato beetle . For this reason, the crop is treated with special preparations, periodic inspection and collection of pests are carried out. Aphids are fought with tobacco dust or wood ash. If a plant lacks calcium or potassium, it may develop blossom end rot. To protect the crop from disease, use a 1% potassium or calcium solution.
To prevent late blight, seedlings are treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate (water the soil composition with it). It is recommended to carry out this procedure once every 10 days; it does not harm the tomatoes.
Nuances of cultivation
In tall tomatoes, the root system develops vertically, so there is no need to water the plant frequently . The roots go deep, receiving nutrition and moisture from the lower layers of the earth. For a bountiful harvest, vegetable growers carry out foliar feeding with boric acid.
About the origin and characteristics of the Goldfish tomato
The variety has been listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements since 1999 and has received permission for cultivation in all regions of the Russian Federation. Responsible for its safety. Others also sell seeds, “Sedek”), but on the forums there are many complaints about mis-grading. Therefore, it is better to buy real Goldfish labeled “Gisok”.
To be sure of quality, buy seeds from the author
The Goldfish tomato is intended for growing:
- in the central zone of the Russian Federation, in the north and in Siberia - in greenhouses and under temporary shelter (greenhouses);
- in the south of the country - in open ground.
The variety is not grown on an industrial scale; it was created for amateur plots and small farms.
The Goldfish bush is indeterminate, that is, it is prone to continuous and unlimited growth. In a greenhouse, a tomato quickly reaches the ceiling, and in open ground it grows up to 1.5 m. The stems are not very powerful, rather thin, and require garter.
A distinctive feature of the Goldfish is its abundant fruiting on a fragile stem.
In terms of ripening time, the tomato is mid-season: 120 days pass from germination to the start of fruit harvesting. The first inflorescence is laid quite high - above the 8-9th leaf, the subsequent ones - after three leaves. However, the fruit clusters are long and cover empty spaces. During the ripening of the harvest, bushes hung with orange garlands of fruits look decorative.
Description of the fruits, their purpose
Based on the type and size of the fruit, Goldfish can be classified among the cocktail tomatoes that are fashionable today (beautiful and small). Tomatoes are cylindrical in shape with a pointed nose. The average weight of each is 90 g, but there are specimens of 30 g and 120 g.
Unripe fruits are green with a dark spot near the stalk; when fully ripe they turn bright orange. There are only two seed chambers hidden inside, the flesh is dense, juicy, with good taste, usually sweet.
The nuances of taste depend on agricultural technology and weather: the more sun, the sweeter the fruits.
Unripe tomatoes have a dark green spot near the stem; when ripe, the fruit turns orange
The yield of one bush is 2.5–3 kg, and 1 m² of bed is 8.7 kg. Goldfish tomatoes are delicious fresh and can be served whole. Also, with their orange color, they will complement and decorate salads, appetizers, and assorted pickles. When pickled, tomatoes remain strong and beautiful.
Value of the variety: stable yield, high taste and increased content of beta-carotene in fruits, suitability of fruits for whole-fruit canning, low susceptibility to late blight.
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Despite this description from the State Register, Goldfish still suffers from late blight, since its harvest ripens in a period favorable for the development of this disease: in late summer - early autumn. In addition, fruits may be affected by blossom end rot.
Video: review of the Goldfish tomato, solution to the problem of blossom end rot
Harvesting and application
Tomatoes are harvested in a timely manner, avoiding overripening . Goldfish fruits are so beautiful that they are a pleasure to pick.
On a note. Tomatoes picked with the stem are stored longer.
Tomatoes are well suited as ingredients for vegetable salads . They look impressive when marinated in glass jars, are stored for a long time and can become a decoration for the New Year's table. Tomatoes are tasty, but juice and ketchup are not made from them because the color will be unattractive.
Diseases and pests
To prevent the appearance of late blight, water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate approximately once every 10 days.
The main diseases and pests to which Goldfish tomatoes are susceptible:
- Apical rot;
- Aphid;
- Colorado beetle.
Plants can develop blossom-end rot if they lack potassium and calcium. For prevention, bushes are treated with one percent potassium and calcium substances.
The most harmful thing to tomatoes is the Colorado potato beetle. Therefore, plants should be treated with special preparations, as well as a preventive examination.
Tobacco dust will help get rid of aphids.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
There are no ideal varieties; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The Goldfish has quite a lot of positive aspects, but there are practically no disadvantages .
Advantages:
- transportability;
- the ability to preserve whole fruits;
- good yield;
- high taste qualities;
- tomatoes do not crack;
- drought resistance;
- are stored for a long time;
- yellow color indicates a high carotene content;
- ability to ripen on a removed hand;
- high content of tetra-cis-lycopene – an antioxidant enzyme.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- the need for pinching and tying to a support;
- weak immunity;
- long growth without ovaries.
Goldfish is rich in fiber, vitamins A, C and lycopene, and contains no cholesterol . However, compared to red varieties, this figure is significantly lower.
Bush care
“Goldfish” tomatoes require feeding three times a season. The first fertilization of the soil should be carried out 15 days after planting the seedlings using bird droppings or mullein.
When flowers appear on the second cluster, superphosphate is added to the soil. The third procedure is carried out during the ripening of the first fruits on the bushes. For feeding, a mixture of complex mineral fertilizers and superphosphate is used.
Since tomatoes do not like waterlogged soil, watering is carried out as needed. In greenhouses, plants are watered no more than once every ten days.
The following activities should also be carried out:
- Loosening the soil;
- Weeding;
- Hilling up bushes.
Farmer reviews
The opinions of summer residents about the variety are mostly positive , but there are still some nuances.
Evgeniya, Samara : “This variety was recommended to me by a neighbor in the country. I took the seedlings from her, since I still don’t know how to grow them myself. I planted the seedlings in open ground and didn’t bother with them much. The only thing was that I fertilized it with whey and treated it with phytosporin. I liked the taste of the tomatoes, although they were a little affected by blossom end rot. I was pleased with the abundance of the harvest and decided to continue growing this variety!”
Dmitry, Bryansk : “I tried to plant Goldfish in my polycarbonate greenhouse. The bushes grew tall, with two trunks. I was quite satisfied with the yield, and the vegetables themselves turned out tasty and juicy with a sweetish aftertaste. The fruits are beautiful, as in the photo of the packaging. They lay in my cellar until the beginning of November, until I ate them. What I didn’t like about growing was that there were several attempts of blossom end rot to infect the bushes. I saved the situation with fertilizing.”
Kristina, Borisoglebsk : “We have been growing Goldfish in our country greenhouse for five years now. Usually the bushes grow right up to the roof, so you have to pinch them, although it’s a pity. I always form two stems, but next year I want to try three. The trunk of the bush is not very powerful, but it is curly and has to be tied up. And the leaves look very similar to the tail of a goldfish! There are always more than enough tomatoes growing, they themselves are very tasty.”
Description
Let's first get acquainted with the important characteristics of the variety.
general information
It is known that tomatoes with a yellowish and orange color contain a high content of the most valuable beta-carotene. This substance is able to fight cancer tumors at the very initial stages, successfully preventing the development of an insidious and dangerous disease.
Besides:
- yellow tomatoes are less acidic than traditional red ones;
- they are more fleshy, dry, dense;
- suitable for consumption even by allergy sufferers;
- absolutely undemanding in cultivation and care;
The Goldfish variety, which will be discussed in our article, is one of the best representatives of the “yellow family” and has absorbed all the most valuable qualities inherent in the species.
Selection
The variety is of domestic origin, created in the 90s of the last century. The variety was included in the official register in 1999. Goldfish can be grown both in greenhouse conditions and outdoors, if the climate permits.
In cool regions, which are the majority in Russia, it is recommended to grow them exclusively in closed ground conditions. With a short and cool summer, the fruits may not ripen outside.
The variety is classified as indeterminate, that is, the bush is capable of growing exactly as long as its growth is not artificially limited. Therefore, in order for the plant to bear fruit successfully and not all go into the stem, its growth must be limited.
The plant can boast of high resistance to the most dangerous disease of tomatoes and nightshades in general - late blight. However, there is also a minus - instability to blossom end rot.
Description of the bush
In this case, the bush grows quite tall: it cannot be done without shaping and gartering. Usually gardeners leave 2-4 stems, no more.
The foliage of the plant has a beautiful light green hue. The leaves themselves are unusual - delicately cut. Hanging down, they resemble the tail of a goldfish - hence, in fact, the name of the variety.
Ripening time and yield
The fruits of this tomato ripen in medium or late periods - depending on weather and other conditions, planting time. It takes at least 120 days for the crop to fully ripen.
The yield of the crop itself is quite high: from 1 m2 a gardener can harvest 9 kg of fruit. But such a level of productivity is demonstrated only by greenhouse tomatoes and ground tomatoes growing in the south.
In favorable conditions, fruiting lasts until autumn frosts.
Description of fruits
- When ripe, tomatoes acquire a distinct plum- or finger-shaped shape.
- The nose is noticeable in the tail section.
- Technical ripeness is visible by a dark green color, then the fruits turn yellow, and overripe ones may turn orange.
- The pulp of the fruit is very dense, but juicy.
- The peel is quite thin, which sometimes leads to cracking.
- The fruits are small in size - each reaches approximately 90-110 grams.
- On the bush, the fruits are arranged in nests, each of which contains 4-8 specimens.
Taste properties and scope of application
Having tasted the fruits of the Golden Fish tomato, no one remains indifferent. Tomatoes have a surprisingly sweet taste, sometimes even reminiscent of dessert.
They are often consumed fresh, including straight from the bush. Also, wonderful fruits can be preserved in different ways: their small size allows them to fit entirely into any jar.
Characteristic
The official characteristics and description of this nightshade says that the Rybka Zolotaya tomato is suitable for cultivation both in the South and in central Russia. It is resistant to nighttime drops in temperature, and its high yield can only be envied.
Description of the variety
The Zolotaya Rybka tomato variety is a mid-late variety, since the period from the appearance of the first shoots to the beginning of fruit ripening lasts about 109-115 days. The plant is not a hybrid, so you can independently collect seeds from fruits grown in your garden. This significantly reduces the cost of planting material.
The variety is characterized by high productivity. Over the entire growing season, up to 10 kg of ripe, high-quality fruits can be collected from 1 m².
Description of the bush
The Golden Fish tomato is an indeterminate plant.
The bush grows more than 2 m high, so it needs shaping and timely staking. The plant is formed into 2 shoots, this way the maximum productivity of the crop is achieved.
The ovary is formed in the form of simple inflorescences, after 8-10 leaves. Subsequent fruits are laid after every third leaf. The stems and leaves are not large, have a light green color, and are not significantly pubescent.
