Among a wide variety of tomato varieties, there are those that for many years remain popular among gardeners. One of them is the Golden Stream variety. This undersized variety stands out from the crowd for its high yielding capacity, excellent taste and resistance to disease - all that every gardener dreams of.
Content
Grade characteristics
Golden flow hybridized by Ukrainian breeders. At first, the variety was grown mainly in Ukraine and Moldova, but later it was brought to Russia. In our country, the Golden Stream very quickly gained popularity and has continued to hold leadership positions for over a dozen years.
Gold Stream is an ultra-mature variety. Its ability to harvest 90 days after planting seeds is one of its main positive properties. The variety is also distinguished by the fact that all the fruits have a beautiful appearance, tomatoes grow heaped, fouling on a flower brush and falling relative to the stem. Tomatoes are formed on the bush together, simultaneously. The described qualities are not the only advantages of the Golden Stream.
Grade advantages:
- high productivity;
- immunity to disease;
- perfectly stored;
- does not deteriorate during transportation;
- steadily undergoes temperature changes;
- all fruits grow the same size;
- the purpose of the variety is universal.
Golden Stream refers to determinant varieties. This means that the plant has limited growth, that is, after tying 5-7 brushes, the bush ceases to grow and devotes all its energy to the formation of fruits. This variety grows no more than 70 centimeters in height. This circumstance is considered a good advantage over varieties that do not stop growing. Firstly, the Golden Stream gives a very early and friendly harvest. Secondly, you do not need to spend a lot of time on the formation of bushes and additional garters. Thirdly, the crop ripens at the same time.
There are not very many leaves on the bush. The foliage is dark green in color, slightly rough. One branch (brush) gives an average of 8 fruits.
The fruits are oval, small in size, weighing 70-80 grams. The color of the tomatoes is yellow-orange or golden yellow. The crust is thick. Does not crack when ripe.
The pulp is dense, juicy, few seeds. The sugar content is 4.5%. Excellent sweet taste is noted. The variety is great for conservation.
The undoubted advantage of the Golden Stream is its high productivity. From one square meter it is possible to collect up to 10 kilograms of high-quality tomatoes (up to 35 tons per hectare). Due to its attractive appearance, good keeping quality and tolerance of physical influences, the variety is grown on an industrial scale for sale.
The Golden Stream possesses immunity to all known tomato diseases. The only misfortune is the Colorado potato beetle, which must be fought with biological preparations.
Growing Features
When growing a tomato of this variety, summer residents never have problems. Seeds sprout basically all without exception, and the yield is 97-100 percent. The variety tolerates short-term adverse climatic conditions.However, since the stunted Golden Stream really needs constant heat, it is recommended to plant it in a greenhouse or provide additional protection when planting in an open area.
Seeding for seedlings
Often gardeners use purchased seeds. However, seasoned gardeners prefer to use their seed material collected in the previous season. Only healthy and beautiful tomatoes are suitable for seedlings. Usually they are selected from among those that grew on the most productive bushes.
Before sowing, seeds must be carefully selected. They usually do this based on external signs. You can also immerse tomato seeds in a 5 percent salt solution. The largest, and therefore fertile, settle to the bottom. Pop-up dummy seeds are thrown away, they still will not germinate.
The seeds of the Golden Stream variety germinate very well, so there is no need for various treatments. You can only carry out a disinfecting event - put the seeds in a manganese solution (you can add aloe juice and Fitosporin). Treated seeds are washed in clean water and dried thoroughly.
Seeds are sown approximately 55-60 days before planting in open ground, that is, in late March - early April. The sooner this is done, the faster you will get a new crop. Tomato seedlings are usually grown in large crates. Sown so that later grown bushes do not obscure each other and are well ventilated. The distance between the seeds is 1-2 centimeters. Seedlings need to be placed in greenhouse conditions. You can arrange a mini-greenhouse right in the room. For this, the boxes are covered with a film, the light is directed at them (you can use a daylight lamp). The temperature in the room should be at least 23 degrees. When the first shoots appear, the film is removed and allowed the plants to grow independently, without additional care (with the exception of watering). When two or three leaves appear, the seedlings are picked.
Soil preparation
Gold Stream yields the highest yields on light loamy and sandy loamy soils, as well as in non-floodplain areas of the floodplain. You can plant tomatoes in places where cucumbers, legumes, corn and cabbage were previously grown.
If fresh manure was already introduced into the previous predecessors, then when digging and preparing tomato beds, superphosphate and potassium chloride should be added, and then a deep digging should be done.
In spring, the soil is harrowed. Another portion of fertilizer is placed in the furrows or holes - compost soil, garden mix or ash.
Transplanting
Young tomato bushes are planted initially under film shelters in mid-May, as soon as warm weather sets in.
Tip: mini-greenhouse can be made from wire frame. Pull a film over it and cover with a thick cloth.
Seedlings are planted in two rows, for each bush they dig a separate hole. The garden bed is staggered, the distance between the bushes is 30 centimeters, between the rows (in the garden) - 40 centimeters. Such placement on the bed contributes to uniform lighting of all bushes and good ventilation. The earth will also bear a uniform load and nourish the bushes equally.
Plant seedlings in a well-moistened soil. If the bushes are too elongated, then they are planted in an inclined state. The roots do not deepen, since at the depths the earth can still be cold, and it can ruin the underdeveloped root system of the tomato. After all the bushes are planted, they are abundantly watered (under the root), and then dusted with dry soil.
Care
Growing tomatoes is not so easy.They constantly need to be watched, processed, cared for and cherished. However, even a novice gardener can grow tomatoes of the Golden Stream variety, since he, like all undersized tomato species, does not need to be stepsoned, so caring for the plant is greatly facilitated in view of this circumstance. Also, there is no need to form a bush, since it grows compactly, stopping growth in height itself, gaining the required number of brushes.
Since the variety is undersized, it is great for growing in small greenhouses. He does not take up much space. If you grow tomatoes in the open ground, then the first time everything is necessary to keep the bushes warm.
So that the ground under the bush is better ventilated, you can regularly tear off the lower leaves of the stem.
Like any other crop, tomatoes need to be weeded, loosened, tied. Even though the bushes of the cultivar are not high, it is better to attach a solid pin to each plant and tie the bush to it. This will help the plant withstand the heavy load of the fruit and will not fall to the ground in the wind or rain.
When growing tomatoes under a film, it is necessary to constantly monitor the state of the greenhouse climate: it is important not to allow increased humidity and elevated temperatures. Especially dangerous for plants is an increased wet state, which leads to the spread of various diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out constant ventilation. While street conditions do not allow to finally get rid of the covering material, the film needs to be removed only in warm sunny weather. Tuck the film only on the leeward side. Tomatoes are tightly covered again at night.
Watering
Tomatoes are in great need of constant watering. And although the Golden Stream variety is resistant to various climatic changes and temperature extremes, it cannot forgive the lack of moisture in the soil. Watering should be plentiful and regular, on average once every three days. However, to overdo it in this matter is also not worth it, otherwise the stalk may rot.
Top dressing
For better plant growth, fertilizing is necessary. This is done at least three times for the entire period of growing tomatoes. The first recharge is carried out two weeks after planting seedlings in the garden. The second - during the formation of the ovaries; the third - during the ripening period. Tomatoes need to be fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. And for disinfecting the soil during watering, you can add a little potassium permanganate to the water.
Fertilizer Tips:
When applying fertilizer, the main thing is not to overdo it. Organics make limited. It is better not to use fresh material, otherwise it will affect the taste and quality of the fruit. Organic fertilizers are applied no more than once a year. If organic matter was added under previous plants, then it should not be added anymore.
The use of mineral fertilizers contributes to the rapid growth of tomatoes. You can add minerals only after transplanting seedlings. Initially, plants need a large amount of nitrogen, together with potassium and magnesium. And during the formation of fruits it is better to feed tomatoes with ammonium nitrate.
Harvesting
The first golden tomatoes appear in early July. By the middle of the month, all brushes will be strewn with small fruits. One of the properties of an early ripe variety is that it bears fruit at the same time. The short fruiting period, on the one hand, facilitates harvesting and canning. However, the duration of the formation and ripening of tomatoes can be increased if the tomatoes are picked in the stage of technical ripeness. So you will release the bush from unnecessary load, and it will begin its work anew, that is, to tie new fruits.
It seems to many that unripened tomatoes are inferior in quality to the ripened on the bush. However, this opinion is erroneous: green tomatoes quickly “reach” the sun, completely preserving both the appearance and taste. They are stored as well as those that were removed from the bush at the stage of biological maturity.
By the end of August, when the air temperature becomes much lower than in mid-summer, the tomato bushes begin to die. You need to catch this moment in time to collect absolutely the entire crop, otherwise some tomatoes may deteriorate.
Reviews
Valeria
I always plant Golden Stream tomatoes. The variety is excellent: very productive, the fruits are all on selection, have a beautiful yellow-orange hue. Twenty-twenty-five pieces grow on a bush. You just need to see it - all the bushes from top to bottom are strewn with yellow tomatoes. In the first season, I counted how many kilograms were born, so you won’t believe it - almost 8 kilograms per square meter. Fruits of medium size, thick-chested - ideal for salting.
Valentine
First planted the Golden Stream last year. The variety really deserves attention. Bushes grow on average 70 centimeters, the stems are strong, so that the bush holds its mass well, does not break off. But, true, a garter is still needed. The appearance of the fruit is perfect. Absolutely all tomatoes grow equal in size. Very tasty, with a slight acidity. We eat in its pure form and salt - it always turns out very tasty.
Ksenia
I have been planting this variety in my garden for a long time. I like the fact that the variety is early ripe, in July we collect tomatoes and eat. The fruits are smooth, beautiful, uniform color. The variety ripens both in the open ground and in the greenhouse, but we always plant on the street - it grows perfectly. Rarely sick, undemanding in care. In general, a great variety! I recommend to everyone!
Zinaida
The Ukrainian grade Golden Stream is very resistant to temperature extremes, which is quite typical for our region. Little is exposed to some kind of disease. Growing it is a pleasure. And even more fun - to harvest a plentiful crop. We wear golden tomatoes from the beds with buckets, and then we still enjoy their taste.
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