King of Kings Tomato Review

The King of Kings tomato is easy to grow and produces excellent yields in any soil. This hybrid is drought-resistant but requires increased humidity during seed germination. It is an indeterminate, mid-season variety.

Tomato seeds "King of Kings"

One fruit can weigh from 800 to 1000 grams.

Tomato variety "King of Kings"

General characteristics of tomato

This variety was bred relatively recently (early 2000s). It was developed at the Vavilov Genetic Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and is included in the state register of the Russian Federation for use on farms and in private gardens.

The seed material is produced by the Siberian Garden company. It must be purchased annually. The King of Kings is a complex F1 hybrid, making it impossible to plant it using your own seeds.

Description of bushes:

• bush type – not standard;
• height – from one and a half to 2 meters;
• foliage - average;
• strong branching;
• number of stems – maximum 2;
• one brush has up to 5-6 fruits;
• The brush is located mainly after the 9th leaf, others alternate every 3-3.

Appearance of fruits:

• the minimum weight of one tomato is 200 grams (if agricultural technology is improved, then one fruit can weigh 800-1,000 grams);
• shape – rounded-flattened;
• surface - smooth, slightly ribbed;
• color – from pink to deep red;
• the pulp is dense and fleshy;
• taste - sweet with a slight sourness;
• moderate juiciness;
• the concentration of dry matter does not exceed 10%;
• number of seed chambers – 4-8;
• the partitions between the chambers are thick;
• Feature – high content of lycopene (antioxidant against cardiovascular diseases and aging).

Suitable for salads, juices, fruit drinks, purees, and pastes. This variety is not suitable for canning, pickling, or drying. However, its high density allows for long-distance transportation.

Ripening period:

• After planting the seeds, the harvest can be collected in 120 days;
• For southern regions the ripening period is slightly shorter.

Productivity:

• one bush produces 4-5 kg ​​of fruit;
• 12-15 kg of harvest can be collected from 1 square meter.

Features of planting and growing

The King of Kings variety is grown using seedlings, so the seeds are initially planted in containers and then transferred to open or closed ground. This maximizes yield, accelerates ripening, and develops resistance to pests and diseases.

Seed preparation

The seed material is purchased in a specialized store, after which the packaging is opened and preparatory activities begin - seed germination, including the following actions:

1. You can find seeds on the market that have already been treated to protect against pests and accelerate growth. If the seeds haven't been treated, you'll need to do it yourself. To do this, soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and rinse thoroughly.
2. It is essential to use growth stimulants, in which the seeds are soaked for 24 hours.

Planting seedlings

Seeds are planted for seedlings 65-75 days before transplanting to a permanent location. It's important to follow certain rules for growing seedlings:

• It is best to purchase mineralized soil mixture in a store.
• The seeds are planted to the same depth, so it is recommended to make grooves with a small wooden stick.
• Planting depth: 5 mm.
• Avoid covering the seeds with too much soil, as this may slow down germination.
• The soil should be moderately moist. Avoid drought conditions when growing seedlings.
• It is essential to loosen the soil and make holes in the containers, which allows for sufficient oxygen supply.
• Dive is carried out when at least 2 full leaves appear on the seedling.

If you plan to grow the King of Kings in a greenhouse, transplant the seedlings into individual pots. If planting outdoors, cover the bushes with plastic at night for the first two weeks. This helps the plant adapt and establish itself.

Planting in the ground

This variety is best grown indoors, but if the climate is warm enough, the seedlings can be planted outdoors. The air temperature should not fall below 15 degrees Celsius, and frost should be avoided.

Planting pattern in soil based on the increased branching of the plant:

• maximum number of bushes per 1 sq.m – 3 units;
• distance between rows – 50-60 cm;
• distance between bushes – 40-50 cm;
• the area is sunny;
• Soil acidity – low, medium.

Care instructions

There are some care criteria for the King of Kings variety that must be strictly adhered to:

• Feed It's advisable to fertilize the plant every couple of weeks after transplanting. When transplanting, add potassium and phosphorus-based fertilizers to the holes. During the growing season, tomatoes will require organic matter. This can include chicken manure mixed with water or cow manure. Mineral fertilizers are also essential.
• A remedy made from stinging nettle deserves special attention; it strengthens the plant's immune system and enriches it with beneficial substances. To prepare it, you'll need 150 grams of nettle and 5 liters of warm water. Combine the ingredients and let them steep for 48 hours, then strain the mixture and apply it to the root system.
• The King of Kings' best neighbors are cucumbers, sorrel, cabbage, dill, and parsley. More has been written about crop rotation in the garden. here.
• The amount of watering depends directly on the size of the bush—the larger it is, the more frequently it will need to be watered. To determine whether the soil needs watering, simply inspect it: if cracks appear, water it. It's not advisable to apply too much water at once. It's better to water more frequently, but in smaller amounts. Otherwise, there's a risk of root rot. After this, loosening the soil is essential.
• Pinching out side shoots is essential. This is done three times and involves pinching off the tops. Failure to do this will cause the stems to grow upward, leaving the fruit deprived of nutrients. Consequently, the yield and size of the tomatoes will decrease.
• Support is essential to ensure the plant receives sunlight and oxygen. Importantly, the bush grows up to two meters, so the stems can easily break. Wire frames, horizontal trellises, netting, and wooden stakes are used for support.

Diseases and pests

The King of Kings is highly disease-resistant, with proper care. However, this variety is a favorite among pests, especially whiteflies.

To prevent the risk of attack, it's important to promptly treat the foliage, roots, stems, and soil with special solutions and products. Mospilan, Vercitillin, and Actellic are excellent options.

Harvesting and storage

It's best to harvest the King of Kings tomato in the morning, when dew is still present. Harvesting begins in mid-August, and the tomatoes reach maturity when they are brown or completely red. This variety can ripen even in the dark.

Tomatoes should be stored in wooden crates in a well-ventilated area. The temperature should not exceed 6 degrees Celsius. Before storing, clean the tomatoes (their density allows for washing) and dry thoroughly. They should be stacked in tight rows. The shelf life is 2 months.

Pros and cons of tomatoes

Advantages of the King of Kings hybrid:

The list of advantages is quite extensive, but there are also many disadvantages:

Reviews

Tomato King of Kings is intended for greenhouse cultivation, but it is possible grow tomatoes in open ground under the right conditions (sufficient warmth and light). Many gardeners recommend this variety even to beginners, as it requires little effort in care and cultivation. It doesn't need to be transplanted into a greenhouse before transplanting into the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions