For plant lovers, caring for the beds is like a song. Those who are ready not only to feast on vegetables, but also to admire the picturesque plantings, will appreciate the Rhapsody. A juicy scarlet tomato, loosely ripening on branchy bushes, will become a real decoration of the site. Care instructions and crop descriptions will help increase an already impressive fertility.
Description of the variety
The description of the variety is very interesting. Raspberry Rhapsody (the second name of the bush) is a tomato variety that belongs to the bush type. Carpal type plant - NK - reproduction with a brush. It ripens early, has absolutely no growth boundaries (indeterminate), and the NK bush gives an excellent and large yield in greenhouse conditions. In terms of its power and strength, the NK bush is quite strong, it can withstand a lot of weight. It is called raspberry because the bush grows tall and has a lot of tomatoes on it, like on raspberries. Tall bushes are not typical for tomatoes.
Due to the fact that tomatoes grow abundantly on the NK bush, it must be tied to some kind of support to help withstand the load on the branch. The best yield percentage is given by a bush that has only 2 - 3 stems, sometimes even 1.
Raspberry Rhapsody is a relatively new and interesting type of tomato. It can be attributed to a fairly early type of varieties, since, on average, 91-96 days pass from the moment of planting to the final result. Such bushes are classified as standardized plants, of a determinant type, which, in turn, absolutely do not require such a process as pinching. On average, the bush can grow up to 60-70 cm, but sometimes there are specimens that reached 1 m in height. Basically, such a variety is recommended to be stored and grown only in greenhouse conditions and in soil that is unprotected. Raspberry Rhapsody has a high percentage of resistance to Fusarium.
Fruit characteristics
Fruits that have already reached the ripening stage and can already be eaten have a deep red or raspberry hue. In its shape, the fruits are large, roundish in shape. In addition, the fruits look a little flattened, and near the feed antenna they have a large ribbing. This type of tomato is suitable for any type of consumption. You can make a tomato out of it, and eat it fresh, and leave it for refueling. It may be problematic to preserve the fruits whole, since they are large in size, and this will be simply inconvenient.
The pulp is firm, strong and fleshy. They have a high percentage of strength. As experts say, if you hit the fruit with all your strength on the ground, then there is a high probability that it will retain its shape, not be damaged, and simply jump back. The first fruits that you get from the bush can reach 130 grams. and more, since there are not many fruits yet. But further tomatoes will be 50 grams. Less due to the fact that the load on the branch will become more.
The total number of chambers for this type of variety will be from 4 to 6, and the content of dry type substances is 5%. All the fruits that you collect cannot be stored for a long time, and it is rather difficult to tolerate any transportation. It is because of such indicators that not all farmers acquire this look and grow it. Most of the steppe, a similar variety is suitable for making juices, dressings, etc.Therefore, this type of tomato is usually grown in small quantities.
Ripe tomato culinary nuances
Ripe tomatoes have a rounded shape, dense peel of a rich red hue, one fruit weighs from 100 to 150 grams. Gastronomic benefits and differences from other varieties:
- Bright tomatoes of the Rhapsody variety are not prone to cracking, they have a good presentation.
- Ripe fruits have a slightly sour taste.
- First harvest tomatoes are not suitable for preservation.
From the hybrid fruits of Rhapsody, excellent sauces and juices are obtained, tomatoes will ideally fit into the picture of a dietary salad.
Positive aspects of the variety
Like any variety, the Rhapsody has its advantages. The positives overpower any disadvantages of this type of tomato. Let's consider them in more detail:
- all fruits that grow and ripen have pleasant taste characteristics: you can notice a wonderful balance between slight sourness, bitterness and sweetness of the product;
- quite attractive appearance, which increases the percentage of vegetable sales;
- an important advantage of Rhapsody is that it has a high yield and picking percentage of tomatoes;
- thanks to the hybridization process, this tomato has good resistance to various diseases, and almost never gets sick: one bush can live for a long time in the right greenhouse conditions;
- a good percentage of amicable ovary and a characteristic of the maturity of all fruits;
- a high percentage of all varietal properties.
The plant is highly resistant to diseases
It should be noted a rather strong and stable immunity of the system, a rather interesting and curious taste of the fruit, excellent friendly ripening. Many farmers praise this variety for its good resistance to various diseases.
Negative points
The disadvantages of the variety include the fact that it is very poorly stored, and after a few weeks it can begin to rot. Sometimes situations were noticed that after a few days the tomatoes became unusable, and nothing could be done from them.
In addition, sometimes the variety can be capricious. He may not like the composition of the soil and fertilizers that are used. Then it stops growing (if it is a young bush), and if not, then an adult bush can either give a small percentage of yield, or even wither and it cannot be rehabilitated in any way.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Rhapsody tomato variety has the following advantages:
- High productivity. One branch is richly strewn with fruits.
- This variety easily withstands climatic changes and does not need careful maintenance.
- Ovary and fruit ripening begins at the same time. This has a beneficial effect on the quality of ripe vegetables.
- Vegetables do not crack.
- The variety is resistant to various tomato diseases and aphid attack.
The disadvantages include the fact that the fruit cannot be stored for a long time, as it begins to disappear. In addition, such a variety is not at all intended for long-term transportation. The plant is also capricious to certain fertilizers, to the composition of the soil and to the quality of water.
Important! Watering the Rhapsody tomato should be 1-2 times a week. And it is necessary to fertilize up to three times during the period of fruit growth.
Planting rules
Usually, the sowing of seeds falls at the beginning of March and the end of April. The diving process occurs in 2 phases of real leaves. Most often, this type forms only 2-3 stems, but usually only 2.
Many experts recommend sowing 56-65 days before you transplant them directly into the ground. The optimal parameters are to plant no more than 4 plants per 1 m2, maximum 5. If you plant much more, then all the bushes will become entangled with each other and then they may die due to the fact that the roots have nowhere to grow, and there is no space. And of course, they will also lack fertilizer in the soil.
Also, before planting seeds, it is necessary to cultivate the land. Add fertilizer and humus. Even if the plant is hybrid, and can, in principle, grow in almost any soil, vitamins and calcium are still needed. According to the reviews of many farmers, it can be understood that, even despite the fact that the variety of such a tomato is poorly stored, their yield indicators are still impressive. For the first time, you can collect more than 10 -15 kg from one bush, subsequent times the figure will fluctuate from 8 kg to 10, sometimes the yield can reach 12 kg.
Features of agricultural technology
A branchy bush requires a special approach:
- the support should be installed immediately when planting plants on the site. It's time to tie up from 4 sheets;
- for 1 m², it is enough to plant 3 or 4 bushes;
- pinching is necessary often, leaving small "hemp" in place of unwanted shoots (this eliminates the likelihood of awakening dormant buds and resuming growth);
- the recommended number of stems is 1 or 2. To increase the yield, 3 stems are allowed;
- heavy hands require separate support. Special clamps attached to the stems or nets will do.
Advice. If bunch harvesting is expected, no more than 8 tomatoes should be left on the bunches. The increased growth of tomatoes is also ensured.
It is not necessary to use chemical preparations for the prevention of diseases, the tomato has genetic resistance. Treatment with natural compounds is useful for repelling pests. Soda solution or diluted whey can help prevent attacks. Alternatively, you can sprinkle ash on the root area.
Rhapsody tomato is resistant to diseases and the first frost. Any type of heat treatment is available, including salting and conservation.
Bush care
Due to its relatively large size, the plant is tied up, especially if the plant lives in an open area, where there are often gusts of strong winds. It must be remembered that the bush must be tied up so that it can withstand the weight of its fruits. On one branch there can be up to 5-6 tomatoes, which means almost 0.5 kg. It is best to take ordinary wooden sticks, put them in the middle of the bush and carefully tie the branches to them with a ribbon. Watch carefully so that you do not accidentally crush the fruits of the bush.
A similar variety of tomatoes does not need pruning, but if you see that there are too many shoots and fruits, then you can tie a stick there too. It is not necessary to remove leaves or something else on the bush.
Watering the plant is necessary depending on the conditions of its maintenance. If the humidity in the greenhouse is very high, it will be enough once every 2 weeks, if, on the contrary, it is too dry, then every 4 days. If the standard conditions are maintained, the bushes are watered once a week.
Such a variety is rather capricious to the soil, therefore, it is necessary to add fertilizer 5-6 times per ripening season. At the peak of vigorous activity, it is better to add those supplements that contain calcium and phosphorus.
Sowing principles, basic rules of cultivation
Tips from experienced summer residents, the main rules for caring for a Rhapsody plant:
- The sowing procedure for smooth seeds takes place in the first weeks of April.
- Diving must be done when two true leaves appear.
- It is recommended to form bushes into two stems.
- Despite its growth, the powerful stem needs a garter.
- Fluffy bushes need additional fertilizing with complex fertilizers.
At the stage of active growth of the Rhapsody stem, one should not forget about feeding with potassium and phosphorus content.
Possible diseases
The F1 variety has strong immunity, therefore it very rarely suffers from diseases, but sometimes the bush can be exposed to rot of the tomato tops. For the disease to go away, it is necessary to remove the nitrogen content in the soil, and add more calcium.
And the second disease that you may encounter is brown spot.To cope with such an ailment, it is necessary to significantly reduce the percentage of watering, equalize the temperature and constantly ventilate when it comes to greenhouse cultivation.
Rhapsody is an interesting tomato variety that has many positive aspects, but at the same time, it is difficult to grow a bush. By planting such a bush, you can count on a large harvest. There is also a golden rhapsody, a difference in the color of the fruits, here they are of a golden hue.
Growing seedlings
Rhapsody is an early tomato variety. For this reason, sowing can be started later than usual. The most suitable time for planting seeds is in March or April.
Tatiana Orlova (Vasilidchenko) (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Since the variety is positioned as a greenhouse variety, and planting in greenhouses can be started earlier than in the open field for 2-3 weeks, then, accordingly, sowing for seedlings should be carried out earlier by 2-3 weeks. If the greenhouse is heated, the cultivation of seedlings begins in February.
