How to grow a "Black Prince", planting and caring for "black" tomatoes

"Black Prince" primarily known for dark burgundy color of its fruit. The rest is the usual high-yielding large-fruited tomato variety.

"Black Prince" was withdrawn by breeders from China. Genetic engineering was used in its cultivation, but the variety is not considered a GMO, so lovers of healthy food can use this variety of tomatoes without fear.

In the article you will learn what a tomato "Black Prince" is, its characteristics and description, as well as the peculiarities of growing this variety.

"Black Prince": description and characteristics of the variety

Despite the absence of fundamental differences in the cultivation and care, the Black Prince tomato is still different from its counterparts, followed by a brief description.

"Black Prince" refers to the indeterminate shrubs, that is, there are no restrictions for height growth. Like all large-fruited varieties of tomatoes, requires a garter.

Inflorescences are formed after 7-9 sheets. On one brush forms up to 4-5 tomatoes. The fruits have a rounded shape, sometimes they are still slightly elongated at the end. The taste of the fruit is fragrant and sugar, and the maximum weight of each can reach 400 g

The unusual color of the fruit "Black Prince" was due to the mixture of carotenoid and lycopene with anthocyanins.

The period of fruiting in the "Black Prince" is quite long. This variety of tomato can pereopylyatsya with other species of solanaceous crops, therefore, experienced gardeners are advised to plant the "Black Prince" at a distance of one and a half meters from them.

The Black Prince variety tomato is preferably consumed fresh, they are not suitable for long-term storage and transportation. When cooking color becomes the usual "tomato".

Selection of seed

When selecting seed, it is better to choose varieties of domestic producers, they will be most adapted to the local climate. Imported seeds are often more attractive,but in their cultivation there may be unforeseen difficulties, which may entail a loss of the crop.

Also one of the most important moments - shelf lifeif it has already expired, the seed germination drops significantly and the yield of those that germinate will be much lower than expected.

How to plant the "Black Prince"

Tomatoes "Black Prince" for the most part are no different from other indeterminate large-fruited varieties of tomatoes, so their cultivation will not be a problem. Immediately before planting it is necessary to prepare the seeds and soil.

Seed preparation

On sale you can find 2 types of seeds: some of them were decontaminated at the production stage, and the necessary nutrients were applied to them, while others were normal. At first there is a colored casing, and everything is simple with them: they can be planted right away in a container for seedlings, no additional preparation is needed.

If the seeds are normal, then the standard rules for the preparation of tomato seeds:

1. It is necessary to cut the bandage strips of 20─24 cm in length, fold in half.
2. Seeds fall asleep in the middle of this piece, roll roll and tie a thread.
3. Place the finished convolutions in a container and pour light red solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. Then it needs to be drained, wash the bandages directly in the tank, using running water.
4. Soak tomato seeds in a bandage with a growth stimulator for 10─12 hours. Dosages choose according to the instructions.
5. After this, the solution is drained, the seeds need to be filled with water so that it covers the bandages by half. Leave in a warm place for 2 days, while the fabric should remain moist all the time.

Then, with the purpose of hardening, the seeds are sent overnight in a refrigerator, where the temperature will be at the level of +3 - +5 ° C.

Soil preparation

Soil acidity is an important indicator in preparing the soil for growing tomatoes. For the "Black Prince" is the best value of 6.0 - 6.7. All tomatoes prefer a light fertile soil, if your overly acidic, then it must be lime every 3-4 years.

Well, if before growing tomatoes in a dedicated area grew zucchini, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, carrots, pumpkins, potatoes.

To the soil on the basis of garden soil you need to add humus or peat, as well as some superphosphate and wood ash. In order to surely get rid of pests and dangerous bacteria, the earth can be ignited or cooled before mixing.

In order for the Black Prince tomatoes to develop without problems, let us describe the most popular substrates for them:

• 7 pieces of peat;
• 1 part sawdust;
• 1 part of turf land.

The second option:

• 3 pieces of peat;
• 1 part of the humus;
• 0.5 parts of sawdust;
• 0.5 parts of mullein.

In addition, for 1 m³ of mixture it is necessary:

1. ammonium nitrate - 1.5 kg;
2. superphosphate - 4 kg;
3. potassium sulfate - 1 g;
4. borax - 3 g;
5. zinc sulfate - 1 g;
6. copper sulphate - 2 g;
7. potassium permanganate - 1 g.

But all these mineral fertilizers can be used later as feedings.

How to sow the seeds of the "Black Prince"

Like others, the Black Prince variety of tomatoes is grown using seedlings. Sowing seeds depends on the time of planting seedlings, so plan all the time in advance. It can take from 45 to 80 days before the seedlings are ready for planting.

Usually, the ready seedlings are 35 cm tall bush. It is important not to grow the seedlings too large, otherwise it will not take root well and will constantly hurt. Prepared seeds are buried in the soil to a depth of about 1-2 cm.

Growing tomato: how to care for seedlings

Before picking, seedlings of the “Black Prince” are best kept at a temperature of 20-25 ° C on sunny days and 18-20 ° C - on cloudy days.

After picking, the optimum temperature will be 25-27 ° C during the day, and 14-17 ° C at night. In cloudy weather, the temperature may drop to a level of 20-22 ° C. After a week, you need to set the temperature at 20-25 ° C during the day (18-20 ° C in cloudy weather) and 8-10 ° C at night, on an ongoing basis.

To simplify the seedlings discharge seed coat, you can hold a series of irrigation with warm water. Shoots begin to dive when they have 1-2 true leaves.This should happen when the seedling age is 18-20 days.

After that, it is necessary to begin to harden the seedlings, about 12-14 days before disembarking. Watering at this time you need to reduce and gradually accustom the seedlings to the sun's rays. At the same time, the seedlings can be fed with potash fertilizers. This stimulates the growth of roots and will provide greater yield in the future.

When and how to plant seedlings in the ground

The right time when it is time to plant the seedlings of tomatoes in open ground may vary depending on weather conditions, but this is usually done in the middle of June. The seedling is buried a few centimeters when planted, approximately to the cotyledon leaves, inclined towards the south.

Proper care of the variety

Agricultural cultivation of tomatoes is not difficult, but you should follow all the steps in order to achieve good results and get a tasty and healthy harvest.

Garter tomato

Tall, especially large-fruited, tomatoes need a garter without fail, otherwise the fruits under their own weight will be inclined to the ground, and with time they may break off the whole brush.

In addition to the obvious harm from these actions, the fruits that will lie on the ground or be close to it, are much more susceptible to attack by pests. Fruits on tied-up plants develop much better, because they get more sunlight and better ventilated.

The most popular ways of garter tomatoes:

• wire mesh;
• vertical trellis;
• horizontal trellis;
• pegs.

Rules for feeding and watering

Do not allow the land to dry out around the root system of tomato, so watering should be timely and regular. The time when it is best to produce it is in cloudy weather or in the morning.

Tall tomatoes, which include "Black Prince", have a significant leaf surface and massive fruits, so it needs more water than the usual varieties for us.

Top dressing Tomato bushes "Black Prince" is also very important. Root and foliar feeding should be alternated after 2 weeks.The most suitable fertilizer preparations:

• Ideal;
• Humate + 7;
• Gumat-80;
• Humate universal;
• Emerald;
• Fertika-wagon.

In addition, as a fertilizer, you can use humus and slurry.

Tomato "Black Prince": when to harvest

If you have done everything correctly, and during the growth of tomatoes there were no climatic surprises (strong droughts, hail, strong gusty winds), then the first fruits may appear after 3 months, approximately in the beginning of July. After that, the collection is carried out every 4-5 days as the fruit ripens.

As you can see, growing a Black Prince variety tomato is easy and the result is worth it. The fruits of these tomatoes are sure to please your family. If you like black tomatoes, then Black Prince is the best variety for you.