Tomato Alpha: variety description, photos, reviews

Tomatoes "Alpha": description of the variety

“Alpha” tomatoes are a classic variety of determinate standard type, which is excellent for growing in areas with unstable and cold climates. This super-early variety successfully bears fruit when sowing without seedlings (the fruits begin to ripen within 85 days after sowing!). When a few stepsons are removed from the bottom of the stem, it forms a strong, stable trunk. Plant height is from 40 to 55 cm .
The stems are straight, thick, covered with leaf blades, shaped like potato ones. The Alpha tomato variety is grown in the middle zone in open ground, and in zones with harsh climates - under light film covers or in unheated greenhouses.

The Alpha variety tomatoes themselves are small, round, slightly flattened. The color of the fruit is bright red, the pulp is moderately dense, with a few seed chambers (there are no more than 6 in one tomato), the weight of the average fruit is 55 g. Tomatoes of this variety are not intended for long-term storage and transportation.

The fruit weight of other tomato varieties can be seen in the table:

Characteristics

The variety was produced by the Russian company Sedek, and was included in the State Register of Seed Crops in 2004. Absolutely all climatic zones are suitable for growing Alpha tomatoes, with the exception of the far north. In the southern regions it begins to bear fruit at the beginning of summer, and in the northern regions - by mid-July.

When harvested using the whole fruit method, the fruits burst, so it is recommended to use them fresh, as well as for preparations in the form of sauces and salads. The fruits have also proven themselves well when used in cooking: as a dressing for soups, for example, or for roasting whole on the grill. Despite the compactness of the bushes, Alpha tomatoes are characterized by high productivity. From a square meter of plantings you can harvest up to 6.5 kg of ripe, leveled sweet tomatoes .

You can compare this indicator with other varieties below:

There is practically no information about the disadvantages of the Alpha variety. This tomato is distinguished by a combination of unpretentiousness and high quality of small-sized fruits. Thanks to early fruiting and limited growth, it manages to fully yield the harvest before the period of mass destruction of plantings by late blight and other fungal diseases.

Description of the superdeterminant tomato Alpha and recommendations for growing the variety

Gardeners are interested in how to grow Alpha tomato, the characteristics and description of the variety of which they find on forums on the Internet. Among the early ripening types of tomatoes, Alpha tomatoes can be distinguished.

This variety differs from others in its rapid ripening time and unpretentiousness. There is no need to plant tomatoes using seedlings. Tomatoes can be easily planted in open ground without a greenhouse; the variety tolerates cold weather surprises well.

What is an Alpha tomato?

Characteristics of the variety:

1. Alpha tomatoes are low-growing tomatoes, the average plant height is approximately 50 cm. The stem is thick, the foliage is large.
2. Alpha tomatoes grow so quickly that they manage to produce the entire harvest before the first dew, which is destructive for most nightshades. The bushes do not need tying up or removing stepsons.
3. A superdeterminate variety is a specially bred crop to obtain certain plant properties, such as early maturity. It grows easily both in greenhouses and open ground.
4. Tomatoes begin to bear fruit within 2 months, and from 1 bush you can harvest up to 7 kg of crop.

Alpha fruits are not large, they look slightly flattened. Tomatoes have a characteristic bright color. Tomatoes weigh no more than 60-65 g. The fruits can be used fresh for salads. In addition, tomatoes can be stored for a long time and are also great for storing in the freezer.

The peel of the fruit is thin and breaks easily, so this species is not suitable for pickling. It is better to use it for preparations: squash caviar, tomato paste and other similar snacks for the winter. Housewives also use the fruits to prepare salads, juices, sauces, gravies and side dishes for hot meat dishes.

The tomato is quite resistant to most diseases; there is no need to treat tomatoes against late blight. Plants are also resistant to fungal diseases.

The variety has received positive reviews from summer residents and vegetable growers, which indicates the high quality of the variety and ease of care.

How to care for tomatoes?

Alpha is a very convenient variety for beginning gardeners; it does not require constant attention and is easy to care for. The bush does not need pinching or tying to supports. You just need to regularly water the plants, apply fertilizers, loosen the soil and weed various weeds.

Let's look at how to deal with insect pests. The only way is to see the parasites in time. After all, it is unsafe to water the plant again with chemicals. In addition, not all drugs act effectively on insects, and searching for the right product requires time and money.

Don't kill ants in your garden. These are neutral insects that bring both harm and benefit. Ants are predators and are quite capable of protecting the plant from most pests. Root nematodes and armyworms will not even come close to bushes if there is an anthill underneath them. In addition, ants not only eat pests, they perfectly loosen the soil. This will only make the plant better.

Of course, tomatoes have a huge number of advantages, but the plant also has a small disadvantage - it has a thin skin that cracks easily. For this reason, the fruits are difficult to transport; some tomatoes may crack while still on the branches.

Alpha tomatoes are a good option for growing; if you plant the crop as seedlings, the fruits can be eaten as early as June. For comparison: regular tomatoes are harvested only by mid-July. Those who have planted and grown tomatoes of this type leave only positive reviews about it.

Agricultural technology

Alpha is an actively growing variety, so for successful cultivation it is necessary to select places with fertile soil, well-lit by the sun and without stagnant moisture. Alpha tomatoes do not need tying or regular pinching. After removing the side shoots on the lower part of the stem and forming a trunk, you need to periodically loosen the soil around the bushes and lightly hill up the plants to form more roots.

It is recommended to feed the plants with mineral fertilizers (tomato complexes or universal mixtures) according to the instructions.

We bring to your attention useful information on the topic: How to grow a lot of tasty tomatoes in open ground? How to get excellent harvests in greenhouses all year round? What subtleties of agricultural technology of early varieties should everyone know?

Diseases and pests

The Alpha tomato variety is not susceptible to most viral and fungal diseases. But he still needs preventive treatment with Bordeaux mixture or Fitosporin. When cultivated in unprotected soil, tomato is susceptible to mole cricket attacks, but only in regions with warm climatic conditions. When grown in greenhouse conditions, the main enemy of tomato plantings is the whitefly. The use of standard drugs - Actellik and Grom - is effective against the pest.