Tomato "cosmonaut Volkov": characteristics and description

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cultural plant breeding does not stand still, and therefore it is becoming more and more difficult to choose one or another variety. And tomatoes are a favorite crop of many breeders. In this article, we will tell you everything about the "Cosmonaut Volkov" tomato variety. You will learn not only about the advantages and disadvantages of this variety, but also about the history of its creation and cultivation features. These tomatoes have gained particular popularity due to their excellent taste.

Characteristics of the tomato "Cosmonaut Volkov"

Tomatoes of this variety were bred by space technology engineer I. N. Maslov, who, after finishing his main activity, became interested in growing tomatoes. This variety was named in honor of the deceased friend of the engineer - cosmonaut Volkov.

The indeterminate bush of this variety of tomatoes can grow up to two meters in height. The rounded and flattened shape of the fruit has a ribbed stem. As the photo of "Cosmonaut Volkov" tomatoes shows, their color combines three colors at once: lemon yellow, bright orange and red. The weight of one fruit reaches from 200 to500 grams, and subject to careful care and 600 grams. The formation of the first brushes occurs in the axils after the eighth or ninth leaf, all subsequent brushes are formed every two sheets. According to reviews, the "Cosmonaut Volkov" tomato has a very pleasant sweet taste and fleshy flesh, as well as a pleasant aroma.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Before you start growing tomatoes of the cosmonaut Volkov variety, it is important to study all its pros and cons. The main benefits of these tomatoes are:

• productivity - from 4 to 6 kilograms from one bush;
• perfect taste;
• resistance to many diseases (with proper care);
• large fruit size for easy harvesting;
• average ripening time (about 120 days);
• at least 8 tomatoes per brush;
• versatility of use - fresh, as part of salads, preservation and cooking pasta.

Of the minuses, the fragility of the stems can be noted - tomatoes definitely need a garter. Also, reviews about the tomato "Cosmonaut Volkov" say that the shelf life of the harvested fruits is rather short, and in the process of growing the variety requires mandatory pinching and additional lighting.

Growing seedlings

Seeds for seedlings begin to be sown at the end of winter or at the very beginning of March. For residents of the southern regions, earlier planting is acceptable. For planting tomato seedlings "Cosmonaut Volkov" are used aswooden and plastic containers. The main condition is the presence of a good drainage layer and nutrient soil.

Before sowing, soak the seeds for a couple of hours in a solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure will protect your plants from the effects of fungal diseases. And for the accelerated production of friendly shoots, you can treat the seeds or soil with a growth stimulator. In addition, it is possible to determine the fertility of the seeds even before the emergence of seedlings: dip them into a glass of water, and after 10 minutes, remove the floating specimens - only those that have settled are suitable for planting.

Planting seeds is carried out at a distance of at least two centimeters from each other, deepening them into the soil by one and a half centimeters. After that, the plantings are sprinkled with a layer of soil, spilled and covered with a film.

Care and hardening

Containers with seedlings are placed in a warm place. Excessive watering is not required, regular spraying is sufficient to maintain moderate soil moisture. The first shoots appear within a week after planting. As soon as this happens, the film is removed, and the seedling box is placed on a well-lit windowsill. Periodically, the sprouts are fed with potash and phosphorus preparations.

Harden seedlings a couple of weeks before transplanting into open ground. To do this, every day, transfer the seedling box to the street, increasing the time daily. Start hardening from 30 minutes. Seedlings should not be exposed to drafts or frost - young plants are not yet strong enough and may die.

Transfer to opensoil

Tomatoes of this variety are considered quite unpretentious, so growing them will not cause you much trouble.

After two months from the moment of germination of the first shoots, the seedlings are ready for transfer to a permanent place. With an earlier onset of favorable weather, it is permissible to plant seedlings a little earlier than the due date. Since the tomato bushes "Cosmonaut Volkova" are quite powerful, the distance between them should be at least half a meter.

Features of care

To get a tasty and rich harvest, tomatoes require proper care. It is important to monitor the condition of the bushes and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

Watering tomatoes "Cosmonaut Volkov" requires a rare, but very plentiful. The amount of water especially increases during the formation of the ovary. After each watering, the soil must be loosened. In addition, loosening is carried out between waterings, with a frequency of at least twice a month. The area around the bush is weeded to remove all weeds.

Fertilizers and fertilizing are applied to the soil every one and a half to two weeks. For a more even distribution of drugs, the bush must be well watered. To form the taste of fruits, potash and phosphorus supplements are used, which alternate with compost and humus. In the case of mineral additives, no more than 30 grams of the drug is applied to each square meter of the site. Organic fertilizers are applied in a much more generous amount - about 10 kilograms persquare meter.

It is necessary to remove extra shoots, that is, stepson, as follows: a young shoot 7-8 centimeters long is cut off so that at least a centimeter from the edge is left at the base. This method of pinching allows you to grow a bush of moderate density and get the maximum yield. Until the moment the fruits begin to ripen, it is important to tie up the brushes. Since the large weight and number of fruits bend the branches, and they break.

Diseases and pests

Regardless of where you plan to grow tomatoes "Cosmonaut Volkov" (in a greenhouse or in open ground), care should be taken to protect the plant from diseases and harmful insects. In this section, we propose to get acquainted with the main problems and methods for solving them.

• Tobacco mosaic. It manifests itself in the form of a mesh on the leaves, which gradually curl and dry. It is necessary to get rid of the affected parts of the plant and treat the places of cuts with potassium permanganate.
• Brown spot occurs when the plant is overwatered or overcooled. Normalization of watering and temperature conditions will help to cope with it.
• Get rid of whiteflies, slugs and spider mites by treating the bush with soapy water. At a higher degree of damage, fungicidal preparations are used.