Tomatoes are planted in almost every summer cottage. Red, pink, yellow juicy fruits are popular due to the fact that they are extremely useful, and are also used to make juices, sauces and all kinds of preservation for the winter. In the process of incessant breeding, new plants are opened, which sometimes have a rather exotic look. One of these are black tomatoes "Kumato" - an unusual variety that attracts attention, both by its appearance and its unusual taste.
Appearance history
Apparently, some mysteriousness is inherent in all the beautiful and unusual, and so it happened with the history of the appearance of black tomatoes. 
It is known that the work on the breeding of this variety began more than 40 years ago, and it was discovered by European scientists who crossed the crop with wild tomatoes grown in the Galapagos Islands, and for an unusual color of fruit was used blackberry pigment.
Description and photo
Kumato is interesting in everything, from the unconventional coloring of the tomatoes themselves and the leaves of the shrub to the incredible flavors inherent in this variety.
Bushes
The plant is indeterminate, and is therefore capable of growing up to 2-2.5 m in height. Shrub distinguishes powerful, bristle-covered stem. Initially, the inflorescences begin to form above the 8-9 leaf, and the next - after 1-2 sheets.
Important! In order to achieve a good yield, when a shrub reaches a height of 2 m, the shoot is pinched.Tomato roots are very developed, able to grow on the surface, taking up to 1 m of space. The foliage of the shrub is colored dark green, rather small.
Fruit
Kumato tomatoes can be of various shapes, both perfectly rounded and plum-shaped, oblong or oval. The main highlight is their chocolate color, which can be monophonic, and also have green blotches.
The weight of the fruit varies from 75 to 180 g. The tomato is covered with a dense, but thin skin, behind which is a fleshy, juicy filling, red or greenish in color. The minimum number of seeds in four-chamber fruit, gives the variety even greater taste advantages.
Learn also about such varieties of tomatoes as "Bear's Paw", "Petrusha-gardener", "Lazyayka", "Bokele", "Honey", "Zemlyanek", "Solerosso", "Niagara", "Pink Elephant", "Rocket "," Masha Doll "," Grapefruit "," Strawberry Tree "," Korneevsky Pink "," Blagovest "," Abakansky Pink ".
Characteristic
"Kumato" ripen in 105-120 days after the first shoots, that is, they are middle-ripening. Fruits are very well stored and suitable for long shipments.
The grade differs in high efficiency, from 1 sq. m planting can be collected up to 15 kg yield. 
Black tomatoes have excellent gastronomic qualities, they are used for dining, for preparing various salads and snacks, they are added to sauces and hot dishes, and also, due to their dense structure, they can be preserved.
Did you know? Due to its high content serotonin, which is also called the hormone of happinessTomatoes can perfectly lift your spirits even on the darkest day.
Advantages and disadvantages
Black tomatoes have several advantages. In addition to the exotic appearance, among them are:
- high, stable yield;
- the possibility of long-term storage and transportation over long distances;
- sweet berry flavor;
- drought resistance of the plant;
- rich in fructose and vitamins.
How to plant "Kumato"?
The merits of the variety and its originality evoke interest and the desire to plant the plant on its plot. Let's see how to do it correctly, and what agrotechnical methods should be used in order to achieve maximum yield.
Seed preparation
Seeds before planting should be disinfected in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 20-30 minutes, after which they should be rinsed under running water.
Important! Experienced gardeners carry out the procedure of hardening the seeds: after the disinfection has been carried out, the planting material is dried and sent to the refrigerator for 12 hours.In order to accelerate the emergence of shoots, you can use growth stimulants, which are widely represented on the market. Before sowing, planting material is recommended to soak in water for 24 hours so that the seeds swell properly.
Soil requirements
Success in cultivation largely depends on the quality of the soil on which tomatoes will grow. Planting substrate can be prepared personally or purchased ready-made in a specialty store.
Ideal - weakly acidic sandy or loamy soil, which must be fed with organic fertilizer, rotted manure or compost. To normalize the acidity in the soil make lime.
Organic fertilizers also include straw, pigeon dung, bone and fish meal, milk whey, potato peelings, egg shells, banana skins, tobacco dust, onion peel, nettle.For planting seedlings are recommended to mix peat, humus, river sand and ash. Before sowing seeds, the substrate must be disinfected, this can be done by calcining it in the oven or using boiling water.
Planting and caring for seedlings
In March, the prepared seeds are planted in planting containers to a depth of 2 cm and at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. Capacity for seedlings should be spacious.
After all the seeds have been sown, they are watered and the container is covered with a film or thin glass, this is necessary in order to form the correct microclimate. Seedlings stored in a warm, lit place. Shelter is removed after 5-7 days, when most of the shoots appeared.
Comfortable temperature for seedlings is 23-25 degrees. The Kumato dive is started when there are 2 leaves on each plant.
Seedlings are seated in separate containers in order to better develop and strengthen the roots of the shrub. Tomatoes need regular watering as the soil dries. 
Water procedures should be carried out with care, so that the drops do not fall on the foliage of young plants. Fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizers is recommended, 2-3 times per pot period.
Did you know? In Europe at the beginning of the 16th century, tomatoes were grown exclusively for decorative purposes. Shrubs adorned the flower beds and gardens of wealthy and successful Europeans.
Transplantation in open ground
For transplanting the plants are prepared gradually, starting with the hardening procedure for 2-3 weeks before the intended planting in a greenhouse or open ground.
Seedlings are planted on the beds around the end of May. It is very important that by that time the ground is well warmed up and the night temperature does not fall below zero. Tomatoes can be transplanted into the greenhouse much earlier, in early May.
It should advance to worry about the preparation of the landing holes. They are dug at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other, it is recommended to lay fertilizers with a high phosphorus content at the bottom of the pits. 
Tomato care
Despite its decorative effect, Kumato tomatoes are completely unpretentious. Plant care does not take too much trouble.
Watering
Shrubs are watered as the soil dries, on average 1-2 times a week. For water treatments it is best to use warm settled water, and water the tomatoes exclusively at the root.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing should be carried out once every 10-14 days, alternating between rotted manure, diluted in water 1: 1 with complex mineral fertilizers.
Masking and garter
Like other indeterminate varieties, Kumato need a garter and regular stading. It is better to tie up the bushes immediately after landing on the garden bed, with the help of synthetic materials. 
As they appear, the lower and lateral processes are removed. The shrub does not need formation.
Important! The stems and leaves of tomatoes contain glycoalkaloid substances; therefore, it is not recommended to transplant or pinch the shrub without gloves, since the juice that is released from the green parts can cause severe allergic reactions, from itching to an increase in body temperature.
Harvesting
Depending on the climatic conditions, the crop ripens in early to mid-July. With fruit picking, it is better not to tighten and remove them immediately after ripening, in which case they will be stored well and for a long time, and the plant will direct its vitality to the ripening of the next crop.
Little about the benefits
Anthocyanins, which are very useful for the human body, impart an unusual black color to tomatoes. 
Regular consumption of black tomatoes will help protect against cardiovascular diseases, improve vision, strengthen blood vessels, defeat puffiness and even prevent the occurrence of cancer. Kumato is also considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
The above description and the numerous positive characteristics of Kumato tomatoes only slightly lift the veil of originality of this variety. In order to understand and appreciate all its charm, you should definitely try to grow it in your own plot.
Exotic fruits of taste and appearance will not leave anyone indifferent, and the simplicity of growing a culture definitely inspires experimentation.
