Residents of warm regions constantly boast about tomato crops grown in their garden plots. But are there many varieties that can take root and produce rich harvests in cold climates? After all, there is no doubt that northern residents also want to pamper themselves with products from their gardens.
Short and cold summers are a serious obstacle for many crops. But the Snowdrop tomato broke all the laws of nature and was able not only to adapt to the harshest climate, but also to bear fruit well in unfavorable conditions. Moreover, the yield and taste are at such a high level that the crop is grown even on an industrial scale.
Characteristics and description of the variety
The Snowdrop tomato was bred by Siberian breeders in 2000. In 2001 it was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The name of the variety is not at all exaggerated; the crop was created for cultivation in regions with a difficult climate, even in the Far North. In the south, the culture takes root and grows more difficult, as it was created specifically for the harsh terrain.
Distinctive features
The plant type is semi-determinate, height 110-130 cm, the stem is strong, semi-standard, requires mandatory staking and shaping. It is not necessary to plant the crop due to the small number of side shoots. The foliage is moderate, the leaves are medium-sized, light green in color. The first fruit cluster is placed above the 7-8 leaf, the next ones every 1-2 leaves. Each cluster produces 5 fruits.
The species is early ripening, harvesting begins 80-90 days after emergence.
Productivity is high, from 1 sq. m, up to 20 kg of selected ripe vegetables are collected. Fruits equally well both in protected ground and in open beds. Ovaries are formed in any weather conditions.
Resistance to diseases is strong, practically not susceptible to fungal infections.
Fruit characteristics
Average weight 110-130 g, round shape, slightly flattened on top, bright red color. The taste is excellent, pleasant, sugary with barely noticeable sourness. The pulp is juicy, there are 3-4 seed chambers, there are a lot of seeds. The peel is strong enough to withstand long-distance transportation without losing its presentation.
The purpose of ripe vegetables is universal; they are perfect for fresh consumption, whole-fruit canning, marinades, pickles and the preparation of lecho, adjika, ketchup and juices.
The photo shows Snowdrop tomatoes.
Reviews
I didn’t like Snowdrop: it’s not very early, and it doesn’t taste very good.
ir4ik
https://www.nn.ru/community/dom/dacha/?do=read&thread=2107778&topic_id=45896467
Here (Pskov region) we can do without seedlings, we’ll just have tomatoes a couple of weeks later.
vlada
https://dacha.wcb.ru/lofiversion/index.php?t54694.html
Video review of the Snowdrop tomato
Snowdrop is a tomato variety that is distinguished not only by its early fruit ripening, but also by its outstanding yield. These properties of tomatoes are combined with high plant resistance to disease and even frost. Therefore, you can leave them in open beds until the onset of autumn frosts. This quality is especially valuable for residents of risky farming regions.
- Author: Nikitina Alisa
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How to grow seedlings
Since the variety is frost-resistant, the seeds are sown early. The seedlings are transplanted into the ground without fear of return frosts.
Reference ! In northern areas, tomatoes are planted in heated greenhouses; in the Urals, they take root well under film, and in the central zone they grow without shelter.
Seed preparation
Proper preparation of seeds for planting involves disinfection of the seed and treatment with a growth stimulant.
Disinfection is carried out in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. After this, the seeds are thoroughly washed with running water and dried.
Growth stimulants improve germination. It is for this reason that grains are soaked in Zircon or Epin. In addition to specialized drugs, folk remedies are used as stimulants: aloe juice or potato juice.
Reference ! Disinfection of seed material ensures healthy growth of seedlings.
Container and soil
Tomato soil needs nutritious and fertile soil. It is prepared from garden soil, peat and humus in equal quantities. A little superphosphate or wood ash is added to the resulting mixture. The soil is disinfected with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or steamed in the oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of 50°C. Then it is laid out in planting containers, filling them halfway.
You can plant in a common box or in separate plastic and peat containers. At the bottom of any container, small holes are made for drainage so that excess moisture flows into them.
Before filling containers with soil, place some small pebbles or sawdust on the bottom, which also serves as drainage. As the seedlings grow, the remaining soil is added to the containers, thereby providing the young plants with a constant supply of nutrients. This is especially necessary in northern regions where there is a lack of natural light.
Sowing
The seeds are buried 1 cm with a distance of 2.5-3 cm from each other. Sprinkle peat on top, lightly moisten with warm, settled water and cover with film. The covering material imitates greenhouse conditions, which improves seed germination. The containers are left in a warm room at a temperature of 23-25°C until germination.
Seedling care
With short daylight hours in cold regions, care should be taken to install additional lighting in advance. Daylight hours should be at least 14 hours; if there is not enough light, the seedlings will grow weakened.
When seedlings appear, the containers are moved to the windowsill. Water with moderately warm, settled water using a shallow watering can. After watering, the soil is carefully loosened with a wooden stick.
When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings dive, planting them in separate containers. If after picking there is weak growth of the bushes, they are fed with liquid fertilizer for tomato seedlings.
Reference ! Fertilizing must be combined with watering.
2 weeks before transplanting, seedlings begin to harden off so that they quickly become accustomed to outdoor conditions. They are taken out into the open air in the daytime for 1 hour. Gradually this interval is increased to 8-9 hours.
Diseases and pests
The tomato variety resists most tomato diseases. Snowdrops have strong immunity. But if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, root rot appears. Watering is reduced and periodic loosening is carried out. Stable and timely care is the best way to prevent tomato diseases.
You can treat the bushes with medications that will help reduce the risk of infection with various diseases or use folk remedies based on decoctions of medicinal herbs.
Tomatoes of the Snowdrop variety can be affected by melon aphids or thrips. It is necessary to treat with insecticides. But this must be done before the flowering period begins. Afterwards, poisons can harm human health. With the beginning of flowering and fruiting, only safe folk remedies for insects and biological products are used.
Snowdrop tomatoes in a greenhouse
With high humidity and a large number of weeds, Snowdrop tomatoes are sometimes attacked by slugs. Remove the slugs with your hands, make a protective barrier around the stem by pouring sand or soda on the ground.
Disease prevention is helped by following the rules of crop rotation on the site. You cannot plant tomatoes in one place for several years. It is necessary to change places of plants.
Tomatoes are not planted after other nightshade crops, as they suffer from the same diseases and are affected by the same pests. The best predecessors for them are zucchini, cucumbers, legumes, cereals, root vegetables, and herbs.
How to grow tomatoes
The seedlings are transplanted in early June, when the soil warms up to 15°C. At this point, the bushes have 7-8 true leaves and a well-formed root system.
Landing
A week before transplanting, the soil is dug up and humus or a full range of fertilizers are applied. In open ground, the beds are chosen in a sunny, unshaded place. The depth of the holes is no more than 20 cm. A little wood ash is placed at the bottom of each hole and filled with warm water.
For 1 sq. m place 3-4 plants. If planted more densely, the seedlings will interfere with each other’s ability to properly ventilate and receive sufficient light.
Further care for the Snowdrop tomato
After transplantation, young plants are sprayed with a superphosphate solution. This technique speeds up photosynthesis.
Water the tomato sparingly as the soil dries out. Excessive moisture accumulation will provoke the development of fungal diseases. It is necessary to constantly monitor the humidity level, especially when breeding in a greenhouse. It is here that humidity often exceeds the permissible norm, negatively affecting the development of plants. To reduce humidity levels, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated.
After watering, the soil is loosened and hilled up to improve the air permeability of the soil.
The first fertilizing is applied a week after transplantation. Fertilize with a full complex of minerals. Fertilize the second time during the formation of ovaries. During this period, you can feed with organic matter, for example, bird droppings in a ratio of 1:15.
At the beginning of ripening, plants are fed with phosphorus and potassium for faster fruiting. And during the fruiting period they are fed with nitrogenous substances.
Features of care and possible difficulties
The crop does not require pinching, which significantly facilitates the work of gardeners. But in order to achieve high yields, the stem will have to be formed. Form into three stems, removing all other shoots and lower leaves.
Tall growth requires a mandatory garter, otherwise the stem will not support the weight of the fruit-bearing branches. Wooden stakes or metal rods are installed next to each bush. The stem is fixed almost immediately after planting in the ground, and the branches are fixed as they grow. Loose branches will begin to creep along the ground under the weight of the fruit.
Diseases and pests
In cold climates, the spread of fungal spores is most dangerous. Although the culture has strong immunity, preventive measures should not be neglected.
Prevention includes:
- moderate watering;
- timely feeding;
- systematic loosening;
- cultivation of land with manganese;
- spraying plants with fungicides.
When plants are damaged by fungus, the preparations “Fitosporin” and “HOM” are used.
A thorough inspection of the seedlings will help you notice changes in time and take the necessary measures in a timely manner. At the initial stage of the disease, the crop is much easier to save.
Among the pests for tomatoes, aphids are dangerous. It is combated by treating the stem with a soap solution, which is prepared from 1 piece of laundry soap dissolved in a bucket of warm water.
Planting dates and care features
Snowdrop tomatoes differ from other varieties in that they do not require growing seedlings at home on a windowsill. Seeds can be sown immediately in an unheated greenhouse or in a greenhouse with manure, as well as in open ground in a permanent place of growth, under a film.
The seeds are sown in the greenhouse a little earlier—April 15-20. In an unheated greenhouse, tomatoes take longer to form a plant ready for open ground. The transplant takes place on June 10-15.
In a greenhouse, manure warms the air, and the seedlings are faster ready for planting in open ground. Therefore, sowing in this case is carried out on April 20-25.
Seeds sown under film form strong, hardened plants, which at first are slightly behind in development compared to home seedlings.
Transplanting seedlings to a new location slightly delays the growth of tomatoes, which need time to adapt to new conditions. Tomatoes immediately sown in the place of permanent growth do not need replanting, which may cause injury to the stem and root system. Therefore, they are more adaptable and hardy than plants grown from seedlings.
It is recommended to form a bush with three stems, which increases productivity. To do this, you should leave a strong stepson at a height of 15-25 cm from the soil surface, and another one a little higher. From them the second and third stems are formed, on each of which fruit clusters will grow.
It is recommended to hill up the plants to form additional roots and improve the nutrition of the tomatoes. This will allow you to get more tomatoes from one bush.
Under the weight of ripening fruits, the stems can break, so the Snowdrop variety needs to tie up the main shoots. The weight of the fruit clusters will be transferred to the support and will enable the bush to form a full-fledged harvest without damaging the plant.
Snowdrop tomatoes are drought-resistant varieties; excessive watering can lead to fruit drop in the milky ripeness phase and cracking. This can easily be corrected by noticing the first signs of excess moisture and reducing water consumption.
Nuances for open ground and greenhouses
The main feature of the culture is its frost resistance, which allows it to be grown even in the Far North . But in hot and arid regions it is better not to plant Snowdrops; they are not at all adapted to hot conditions.
Tomato is unpretentious to the composition of the soil. The main thing is to provide it with proper nutrition during the seedling period.
But the most convincing characteristic of the crop is that the tomato can grow and develop with virtually no outside intervention. In this case, the quantitative indicator will be quite acceptable, as well as the taste.
The only caveat: at the initial stage, when breeding in closed structures, you need to take care of additional lighting, which you cannot do without on cloudy days. With a lack of light, seedlings will develop more slowly.
Tomato care
The seedling method of growing the Snowdrop tomato is recommended. Sowing of seeds occurs 55-60 days before planting in a greenhouse or open ground.
The time is calculated individually, based on the climatic characteristics of the region.
Growing seedlings
Today, seed producers carry out all procedures for selecting, checking and preparing seeds for planting before packaging. But you cannot always be sure that this was done. Therefore, you can begin the process of growing seedlings with several preparatory procedures.
Packaging of Snowdrop tomato seeds
To begin with, the seeds of the Snowdrop variety must be inspected; all damaged ones must be removed. These seeds will not produce good shoots. The rest are checked for germination. Pour warm water over the tomato seeds and leave for 20-30 minutes.
Only those tomato seeds that have sunk to the bottom of the container are taken for sowing. Those remaining on the surface are thrown away.
To prevent the possibility of disease infection and increase resistance, the seed material is disinfected. There are different ways to carry out this procedure. Some people use special means and preparations to treat seeds, but you can also use the old proven method of treating with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).
Snowdrop fruit seeds are placed in it for 15 minutes, then washed with running water.
Experts recommend germinating seeds before planting to increase the success rate. You can also sow dry material directly into fertile, moist soil. But there is a possibility that not all seeds will sprout.
To prepare, the seeds are soaked in a small volume of clean water. It is better to use rain or melt water. It is enriched with oxygen and does not have a high concentration of salts. A day after soaking, place the seeds in a single layer on a soft damp cloth or cotton pad. Cover the top with a second damp cotton pad or piece of cloth.
Soaking tomato seeds for germination
Place the seeds in an airtight container with a lid or cover the container with plastic wrap to create a favorable microclimate with constant high humidity and temperature. Before sprouts appear, remove to a dark and warm place. You need to check and ventilate daily.
As soon as the sprouts hatch, begin planting. They must not be allowed to overgrow, so as not to damage them when removed from the material. To slow down growth, it is allowed to put it in the refrigerator for a couple of days if it is not possible to start sowing immediately.
Containers for tomato seedlings are selected in accordance with the preferences and tastes of the gardener. Some people like to grow tomatoes directly in individual cups, some like to use peat tablets, and others are quite happy with communal seedling boxes.
This issue is resolved individually. Containers are disinfected with a thick solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water. They should be handled especially carefully if they are not used for the first time.
The Snowdrop variety is demanding on soil composition. Tomatoes need fertile, light, crumbly soil. Specialized stores offer a wide range. But you can prepare a fertile soil mixture yourself.
Peat, sand, humus, and compost are added to the soil from the site in equal proportions. Peat and sand can be replaced with scalded sawdust of hardwood. It is believed that a mixture based on garden soil helps tomatoes adapt better to the site.
Before filling the container with soil, a layer of drainage consisting of small stones, pebbles, and expanded clay is laid on the bottom. The drainage layer helps remove excess moisture from the soil and prevents rotting processes at the roots.
Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings
A fertile soil mixture is placed tightly on top. The earth is not poured to the very edge of the container, leaving a small space.
Sprouted seeds are either laid out on the surface and then deepened, or placed in prepared grooves 1-1.5 cm deep. In the first case, the sprouts can be damaged. Leave a distance of 2-3 cm between the tomato seeds. 5-10 cm between the rows. Cover the top with a thin layer of soil and moisten it with a spray bottle so as not to erode the soil.
The containers are covered with a lid, glass or covered with cling film to ensure constant humidity and temperature. This way the tomato seedlings will appear faster, at the same time. Crops during this period require a temperature of +25 degrees.
With the appearance of friendly shoots, remove the shelter, lower the temperature to +20 degrees, find a well-lit place. Snowdrop tomatoes will fit on a window sill facing south or southeast.
Water the seedlings regularly when the top layer of soil dries out. Overmoistening should not be allowed, but overdrying the soil will have a negative impact on the well-being of plants.
Sunlight is very important for normal growth and photosynthesis of tomato varieties. Daylight hours should last at least 16-18 hours.
Additional illumination of tomato seedlings with lamps
Therefore, the installation of additional artificial lighting will be required. The lamps can be any, but the most effective are fluorescent fluorescent lamps or special agricultural lamps that emit pink light. Its spectrum is close to sunlight.
A small amount of light causes tomato seedlings to stretch out, the stems become thin and brittle. The foliage has a dull hue, photosynthesis slows down.
On the 14th day, the bushes begin to form true leaves after the cotyledons. At this time, the seedlings need to be pruned. Transplanting into individual larger containers or planting them in a common box helps them form a developed root system and frees up space for further growth.
A couple of hours before the start of the procedure, the seedlings are prepared for transplantation. Preparation consists of abundant watering so that the soil becomes soft and loose.
Drainage and fertile mixture are poured into the pots, deep holes are made, which are filled with warm water. The seedlings are carefully dug under the root.
You can use a special picking tool or any convenient tools. The seedling with a clod of earth is transferred to a new container and deepened to the cotyledon leaves. Damage to the trunk will lead to the formation of lateral shoots.
Tomato seedlings
Transplantation of seedlings to a permanent place takes place no earlier than June 10. The weather should be warm and constant. Night frosts can harm young seedlings that have not had time to adapt. After that, Snowdrop tomatoes resist any negative weather conditions. If you plan to plant in a greenhouse, you can do this earlier.
Hardening should be carried out 2 weeks before planting, then the tomatoes will quickly adapt to new conditions and calmly survive the stress of transplantation.
Until this moment, the seedlings grew in comfortable conditions and, once outside, the seedlings may experience severe shock, sharply slow down their growth, or die. The gradual deterioration of environmental conditions helps them slowly enter a new rhythm.
Hardening of tomato seedlings is carried out in stages. The initial time is 15-20 minutes, gradually it increases to a day. At first, you can get by with simply ventilating the room, lowering the temperature to +17 degrees.
Hardening off tomato seedlings
Next, the seedlings are located on the street or balcony. At first it lasts from half an hour to an hour, then the stay time increases to several hours. In the last days before transplanting, it is allowed to leave for a day, if there is no frost or strong wind.
Under no circumstances should seedlings be kept in the sun. Young bushes are afraid of ultraviolet radiation; it causes burns to them.
When grown in open ground, tomatoes must be protected from bright sun, strong wind, and possible drops in temperature in the first days. Therefore, a temporary shelter is installed. And for work, choose a cloudy, warm, quiet day or evening.
The soil for tomatoes should be prepared in the fall. To reduce the likelihood of infection and pest damage, the place where the gardener wants to grow tomatoes is disinfected. To do this, remove the top layer of soil 10-20 cm thick. Pathogens remain in it, and insects leave larvae for the winter. Water with copper sulfate or a hot, thick solution of potassium permanganate. The soil is well fertilized and dug up. In the spring, humus is added again, wood ash is added, and it is dug up again.
Tomatoes are grown in shallow holes. Egg shells and humus are placed on the bottom. The holes are watered with warm water. The seedlings are fixed in the resulting mud. For a week, planting is covered with prepared material. During this time, tomatoes adapt and take root. They do not need watering or fertilizers.
Features of care
Bushes of 2-3 stems are formed and fixed to supports. Excess side shoots and leaves are immediately removed. Tomato Snowdrop does not form a large number of stepsons.
Ripening snowdrop tomatoes on a branch
Watering is carried out 2 times a week, moderately. Focus on the weather. Water the tomatoes in the morning or evening with warm water at the root. It is better to give preference to drip irrigation. Immediately take care of mulching the soil. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and does not increase air humidity.
Freshly cut grass, hay, and sawdust are used as mulch.
Remove weeds and loosen the soil to avoid root rot infection.
Top dressing
It is carried out continuously throughout the season with complexes of mineral fertilizers. Repeat fertilizing 4-5 times over the summer. The first time feeding is carried out no earlier than two weeks after transplantation. Then before each new stage of plant growth and development.
Harvesting and application
Experienced gardeners advise harvesting regularly, not allowing the fruits to overripe. In addition, an unloaded bush will speed up the ripening of the remaining tomatoes.
The purpose of ripe vegetables is universal. All kinds of fresh dishes and winter preparations are prepared from them, including whole-fruit canning. Tomatoes are also excellent for processing into tomato products. Delicious ketchups, sauces, lecho, adjika, juices are indispensable in winter.
Ripe tomatoes retain their presentation for a long time and can withstand long-term transportation. Therefore, entrepreneurs breed the variety on an industrial scale.
Reviews from gardeners
The tomato is popular throughout the country due to its increased resistance to frost and the ability to bear abundant fruit even on infertile soils. The tomato received positive reviews due to its early fruit ripening and taste.
Resistance to transportation and the ability to maintain its presentation for a long time make the variety an excellent option for doing business. The fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for creating winter preparations, which acquire a bright tomato taste due to the corresponding high characteristics of the vegetable.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive qualities of culture speak for themselves:
- frost resistance;
- high fruiting rate;
- possibility of breeding in the Far North;
- strong immunity;
- simple agricultural technology;
- does not require pinching;
- excellent taste of fruits;
- long-term storage;
- long transportation;
- versatility in cooking;
- possibility of breeding on an industrial scale.
Conditional negative aspects include the need for gartering and shaping and intolerance to hot climates. But so many tomato crops have been created for the southern regions that such a factor is insignificant.
Similar varieties
Snowdrop is not the only variety that can be grown without seedlings even in the northern regions of the country. According to its characteristics, it is similar to the following tomatoes:
- Northerner;
- Bullfinch;
- Sanka.
Northerner is another tomato bred by Biotekhnika. The ultra-early variety produces a harvest 95 days after germination. The weight of the fruits on the lower clusters can reach 180-190 g. Tomatoes are intended for growing in open ground or under film covers. It has good fruit set even in cool and cloudy summers.
Bullfinch belongs to the varieties of Siberian selection. Determinate tomato bushes produce fruits weighing up to 140-180 g. Tomatoes have average resistance to wet rot and bacterial black spot.
Early ripening Sanka tomatoes are intended for unprotected soil and film shelters. The plant forms a bush up to 50-70 cm high, which does not require pinching. Sets fruits weighing up to 100 g, resistant to cracking.
Farmer reviews
The characteristics and reviews of the tomato are the most favorable and reliable. Culture helps out residents of cold regions, delighting them with excellent ripe vegetables.
Irina, Novosibirsk: “ I first saw it in the photo and decided to plant it at home. The seedlings turned out strong and healthy. And the care required a minimal amount of time and effort. The harvest was frankly pleasing - about three kilograms from each bush! The taste of the fruit is excellent, just what I like.”
Anna, Tver: “For a long time I thought about what to plant in my garden. I don’t have much free time, so I need an easy-to-maintain crop. I heard about this variety by chance. At first I doubted it for a long time, but still sowed the seeds. And I didn’t regret it at all. There were a lot of tomatoes, the twists turned out amazing. I didn’t tie it up, I just tied it up. The seedlings were not sick with anything. In a word, I’m satisfied.”
