Tomato variety Geranium Kiss (Geranium kiss)

Tomato Geranium kiss, probably, can be attributed to rare varieties, since there are practically no seeds on sale. Often on the forums, vegetable growers, sharing their cultivation experience, describe a tall plant that is completely unlike the real Geranium Kiss. Seed confusion sometimes occurs because the seed is distributed by collectors. Of the seed companies, only Biotechnika sells seeds. This unique species is native to America. In 2008, it was presented by its creator, Alan Capuler. Our hero is not included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia, but advanced tomato growers, of course, know about him. You can grow this original variety in any region, since it grows equally well both indoors and outdoors. Geranium kiss is not a hybrid, so if you become the owner of a real varietal tomato, you can provide yourself with seeds for subsequent cultivation on your own.

Description

The plant is determinate, bush type, not a standard plant, 50 - 60 cm high in open ground, in a greenhouse, of course, it can grow a little higher - up to one meter. The bush is dense. The stem is not too thick. The foliage is good. Leaves are deep green in color. Description from Biotekhnika: strongly branched bush, potato-type leaves, medium-sized, slightly corrugated. But in the description of Geranium kiss, grown from American or Canadian seeds, the leaves are indicated as ordinary and strongly corrugated, with thick cuttings. The inflorescence of the variety is complex, lush, therefore, during the flowering period, the bush looks very elegant. In a single inflorescence, 50 or more flowers are simultaneously formed (some sources describe inflorescences containing 100 flowers). True, the ovaries, and accordingly the fruits, will not develop from all. On the bush of the Kiss of geraniums, according to various sources, from 3 to 4 fruit brushes and more are formed. Fully ripe, they look like bunches.

Fruits are small, weighing 20 - 40 grams. These are, of course, average figures, since the weight will depend on the fullness of the fruit cluster, the more fruits, the less weight, and vice versa. The weight of a brush with tomatoes, according to various sources, can be from 500 grams to 1.0 kg. The shape of the fruit is oval-rounded, with a sharp, pretty nose. Unripe tomatoes are light green. Ripe ones turn bright red. The skin is quite dense and glossy. The flesh of the Geranium Kiss is juicy, moderately dense, but tender, fragrant. There are not very many seeds. Many people liked the taste. Despite the fact that the variety is early, the taste is very good - the taste is sweet and sour, but the sweetness prevails. Some tomato growers compare it to cherry flavor.

Variety characteristics

• Geranium kiss belongs to the early maturing varieties. According to data from Biotechnics, from the moment of germination to the beginning of tomato fruiting, it takes 90 - 95 days. Small adjustments, of course, are made by the weather, therefore, in the open field, the ripening period may increase by 5 days. But there are numerous comments that, despite the declared early maturity, the plant begins to bear fruit rather late, which is why all the brushes do not have time to ripen;
• There are no specific data on the yield of Geranium Kiss. But given the fullness of tomato bunches, conclusions can be drawn about the good productivity of the crop, given its low height. True, some tomato growers note the instability of yield in different years of cultivation;
• a distinctive feature of the variety is that in a voluminous brush, almost all tomatoes ripen at the same time, which is very convenient. True, this process, according to reviews, is not fast enough;
• in cool regions, it is often necessary to remove the fruits in a state of blanche ripeness, since they do not have time to fully ripen by the onset of cold weather.But this does not matter, tomatoes ripen well in room conditions, you just need to hang the fruit brush in a warm, not too bright place. Or put tomatoes in a box with already ripe fruits - the substances they release will stimulate the early ripening of the rest;
• regardless of growing conditions, Geranium kiss is highly resistant to cracking. Does not touch tomatoes and apical rot;
• there is no specific information on the resistance of the variety to a particular disease. But, according to reviews, the plant resists disease quite well, it always looks healthy. With rare exceptions, with a late landing, the general impression of strong immunity can spoil late blight;

• resistance to harmful insects is insufficient, there is information that the bushes may suffer from spider mites, aphids and whiteflies;
• gardeners also note the resistance of the Geranium Kiss to weather vagaries. For residents of the south, the variety can become relevant due to its ability to bloom and set fruits even at temperatures above + 30 ° C. But there is evidence that tomatoes develop green shoulders at elevated temperatures. True, they are not tough and do not affect taste;
• transportability is good. Strong skin and dense pulp help to preserve the presentation of the crop during transportation;
• the way of use is universal. Both adults and children like sweet tomatoes in their natural form. They are also used for making salads. But still, the variety gained the greatest popularity as a pickling variety. Small tomatoes with sturdy skins are easy to roll up whole.

Agrotechnics

If you become the owner of scarce seeds, stop at the seedling method of growing. In order to get the harvest as early as possible, sow the seeds in February, before that, having processed the seed according to the usual technology. As experts advise, picking Geranium kiss should be carried out only after the appearance of four true leaves. Transplanting seedlings is carried out as soon as the first inflorescence begins to form on the plant. This usually happens in May, so if the crop is to be grown in the open field, a shelter is placed over the garden so that the young plants do not freeze. Of course, in the greenhouse Geranium Kiss, you can plant a week and a half earlier. The recommended planting density in the greenhouse is 4 bushes per 1 square meter, in an open garden you can 5.

Many write that the bushes of this variety do not tie up and do not stepchild, but this is not entirely true, if only because under the load of pouring brushes, the stem will bend, and the brush itself may break. Stepping is carried out, but very moderate. Usually it is customary to leave 3 - 4 stems, in greenhouses - 2 - 3. In a greenhouse, no more than 5 - 6 brushes are left on the plant. On the recommendation of Biotechnics, 1 tablespoon of a mixture of superphosphate and potassium sulfate should be added to each well during planting. Geranium kiss does not like waterlogging, so tomatoes are watered as needed. As a rule, the next moistening is carried out as soon as the topsoil dries up.

An interesting feature of Geranium Kiss is the possibility of growing it on a balcony, loggia or in a garden, in an ordinary flower pot. For normal development of the culture, a container with a volume of 8 liters, filled with nutrient soil, is enough. The planting pot must have holes for draining excess liquid. Place a layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot before planting tomato seedlings. During transplanting, be sure to install a support, on which you then tie the bush as it grows. In this case, they take care of the plant the same way as for any balcony variety.

Geranium kiss is a rather interesting culture that looks very decorative during the period of flowering and ripening of fruits.With proper agricultural technology, the plant brings a good harvest, and if we take into account the planting density, then from a square meter this indicator will not be inferior to other known varieties. The variety is unpretentious in care, but requires treatment from pests. However, if you observe the water regime and maintain cleanliness in the beds, the pests will not bother you too much. The fruits showed very high salting qualities, and their sizes are ideal for whole-fruit canning. In addition, the culture can even be grown on the balcony, however, for normal development it will need a sufficient amount of sunlight. Seeds can be harvested from the most beautiful tomato, so that subsequent plants will inherit the best characteristics of the parent. During cultivation, Geranium kiss did not cause any special complaints. The only inconvenience is the garter of the plant during the period when the fruit clusters are poured. Therefore, try to carry out this procedure in advance.