Tips from experienced gardeners for growing Pink Heart tomatoes

Pink varieties of tomatoes are popular among summer residents due to their thin skin and fleshy, sugary pulp. The absence of acid allows people suffering from high stomach acidity to use them without fear.

This article will talk about one of these varieties - the Pink Heart tomato: its characteristics, cultivation, protection from diseases and pests.

Description of the variety

Pink Heart tomatoes were included in the State Register database in 2007. The development was carried out by the Poisk agricultural company. The plant belongs to the indeterminate (tall) varieties, therefore it is best suited for growing in greenhouses. Planting in open ground is permissible in regions with warm climates.

Garter and the formation of bushes is mandatory. A good result is obtained when the plant is formed into one or two stems.

The photo shows Pink Heart tomatoes.

The table below shows the characteristics of these tomatoes:

Pros and cons of the variety

Among the advantages of culture are the following:

• pleasant, sweet taste;
• small amount of acid;
• increased content of vitamins B1, B6 and C;
• immunity to viral diseases;
• stable formation of ovaries regardless of weather conditions;
• simultaneous ripening of fruits.

The disadvantages include the following:

• impossibility of long-term storage and transportation over long distances;
• low yield;
• large fruits do not fit in jars, so they can only be salted in a barrel, which is not suitable for everyone;
• in regions with harsh climates, the variety is grown only in greenhouses;
• capriciousness of culture in care;
• weak stems require garter.

How to grow

Considering the peculiarities of cultivating indeterminate varieties and the whimsical nature of Pink Heart tomatoes, agricultural technology should be taken seriously, especially if you are aiming for maximum yield.

Preparing seeds and growing seedlings

Start preparing seed material in early March. Pre-soak the seeds in the Fitosporin solution to stimulate germination and prevent infection.

Prepare light, loose soil and pour it into seedling containers. Small plastic containers will do. Make a 1 cm hole in the ground and pour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate at room temperature. Place the seeds at intervals of 2 cm. Place a layer of soil mixed with peat on top, cover with film and place on a windowsill with sufficient lighting.The optimal germination temperature is +25 °C.

After germination, remove the polyethylene and put the containers away for a week in a cooler place with an air temperature of +15 ° C. Then increase it to +23 °C.

Pick the tomatoes after two true leaves appear. Prepare a substrate based on peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 1:1:1 and add superphosphate. Transplant the seedlings into peat cups, and as they grow, into larger pots. Cover the stem with soil to strengthen the rhizome.

Stepsoning carry out when the seedlings reach 4-5 cm in length. Remove excess shoots and form two stems. Complete each transplant with irrigation with a solution of alcohol or potassium permanganate.

About a week before transplanting into the ground, begin hardening off the sprouts daily. Leave the pots in the fresh air for 2-3 hours. To prevent seedlings from stretching, observe the light and temperature conditions:

• illumination - no longer than 16 hours;
• temperature during the day - +20 °C, at night - +10 °C.

Advice. Two days before planting, remove the bottom three leaves to prevent bacterial contamination.

Transplantation into the ground

Plant in the ground 60–65 days after sowing. The seedlings should already have 8–10 leaves and one inflorescence. The day before, treat the greenhouse with sulfur to kill pests and bacteria. Moisten the seedlings generously.

Dig holes 20 cm deep and add 1 liter of ash, 1 liter of humus, 15 g of superphosphate. Plant seedlings at a distance of 50 cm and cover the ground with mulch. This will ensure proper air exchange in the rhizome, eliminate the need to loosen the soil and retain moisture. The planting pattern is staggered.

Watering

Moisten the soil in the morning, depending on the stage of plant development:

• young seedlings need frequent but moderate watering;
• adult crops are watered abundantly, but much less frequently.

When planting seedlings, add 5 liters of warm water to the holes. Repeat watering after 10 days.

Advice. To control the moisture level, dig a bottomless plastic bottle with an open neck near the rhizome and pour water into it. The soil will be moistened gradually.

Feeding and care

Apply fertilizers throughout the entire period of tomato growth: once every 10 days. Ready-made solutions called “Fertility” and “Ideal” are suitable.

For the first feeding, use 10 g of potassium chloride and 50 g of superphosphate. When repeating, add 20 g of potassium nitrate and 80 g of liquid superphosphate.

A homemade product will help increase productivity and protect against pests:

• 1 g boric acid;
• potassium permanganate on the tip of a knife;
• 60 drops of iodine;
• 1 tbsp. spoon urea;
• 200 ml milk.

Add the components to 10 liters of warm water, mix and spray the bushes. Repeat the procedure once every 10 days.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Tomatoes of the Pink Heart variety are not susceptible to viral diseases, but are not immune to brown rot. Completely damaged bushes are dug up and burned. Fertilizing with nitrogen and timely removal of diseased leaves help prevent infection.

To get rid of melon aphids, use the drug “Bison”. Slugs are afraid of ash.

Disease prevention rules:

1. Periodic irrigation of bushes with “Healer”.
2. Disinfection of the greenhouse and pruning tools.
3. Compliance with watering and ventilation regimes.
4. Mulching the soil with sawdust and hay.
5. Timely feeding.

Reference. The requirements for growing Pink Heart tomatoes in open ground are the same as in greenhouse conditions.

Reviews

The Pink Heart variety is preferred by gardeners who grow tomatoes for themselves. This is quite justified, because the crop cannot boast of high yields. What reviews do those who have already tried it leave about the variety?

Maria, Vyazniki: «I have been growing Pink Heart tomatoes for several years in a row in a greenhouse and am very pleased. From one bush I collect up to two kilograms of large fruits. The taste is unforgettable, the flesh is sweet, fleshy, without sourness. We eat it fresh, I haven’t tried adding salt.”

Ekaterina, Rovenki: “I grow tomatoes in open ground, despite the fact that the variety is more suitable for greenhouses. The fruits always grow large and fleshy. Their flesh is juicy, but not watery. Fresh tomatoes are very tasty. I tried to cover it in pieces for the winter, it turned out well.”

Ivan, Balakhna: “Last year I decided to plant a Pink Heart in the greenhouse. Everyone in our family loves these tomatoes, but they are difficult to find in the market. I followed all the rules of growing, watering and fertilizing, and as a result I got a good harvest.”

Conclusion

Characteristics and description of the Pink Heart tomato variety shows that, despite the need for constant control over moisture levels and the tendency to bacterial diseases, you should not refuse to grow it. The fruits grow large in size (from 200 to 500 g) and have a pleasant taste.

Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology - hardening, timely application of fertilizers, disinfection of greenhouses, moderate watering and mulching of the soil - allows you to prevent the development of bacteria, insect attacks and preserve the harvest.