Peculiarities of agricultural technology of the Loving Heart Red variety
Tomatoes are the favorite vegetable of most gardeners not only in Russia, but also in other countries. For example, in the United States, 93% of gardens are planted with tomatoes. That is why every year the state registers of different countries are replenished with new names of tomato crops. Russia is one of the leaders among varietal developments, distinguished by increased adaptation to any weather whims and excellent taste properties of ripe fruits.
Today we will talk about the tomato Loving heart red, which, despite its short existence, already has many loyal fans among summer residents.
The content of the article
Characteristics and description of the tomato variety Loving heart red
The firm "Uralsky Dachnik" offers to evaluate a new variety of tomatoes Loving red heart. The variety is young, is undergoing experimental testing, therefore it has not yet been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements.
Plant type indeterminate, which means unlimited growth of the main stem. To determine the growth point, pinching is carried out. Height 1.6-2 m. 5-6 fruit-bearing branches are formed on one seedling, 1 branch ties 5-7 fruits. The stem is powerful, the foliage is medium. The first inflorescence is laid over the eighth leaf.
It is a medium early species, from the moment of sowing the seeds to full ripening it takes 95-110 days. Differs in increased immunity to dangerous diseases of the Solanaceae family and good adaptation to adverse climatic conditions. Recommended for cultivation in open ground and greenhouse conditions.
The yield is high: 10-15 kg are harvested from one seedling, provided that 3-4 plants are planted per 1 sq. m.
The culture needs a mandatory garter and regular pinching due to the large number of side shoots.
Description of fruits
Average weight - 600-800 g, heart-shaped, bright red color. The taste is sweet and delicate, harmoniously combined with a piquant sourness. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, there are many seeds. The skin is thin, so tomatoes do not have a long shelf life. Ripe vegetables are immediately used for food or for processing to prepare tomato products.
The purpose of the fruit is universal. Perfect for any fresh dishes and for winter preparations. Delicious juices, pastes, ketchups and adjika are obtained from these tomatoes.
The photo shows the Loving Heart tomatoes.
Pros and cons of the variety
Like any other variety, this tomato has positive and negative sides.
The benefits include:
- high productivity;
- adaptation to any weather changes;
- disease resistance;
- the possibility of growing in a greenhouse and in open beds;
- unpretentious care;
- great taste;
- large fruits;
- versatility in cooking.
To the above pluses, you can finish off one more, important for gardeners. The culture does not belong to hybrids and retains the parental genes for the next generation. This means that every gardener will be able to prepare seeds for the next planting on their own.
Cons of the variety:
- obligatory garter;
- regular pinching;
- short shelf life of ripe vegetables;
- poor transportability.
Despite the last 2 points, the crop is cultivated on an industrial scale due to its high yield.Tomato is in great demand in the sales markets.
How to grow a tomato
Tomato Loving red heart does not belong to capricious cultures. For the entire growing season, regular watering and several dressings are enough for him.
Planting stages
Like many varietal crops, tomato is bred through seedlings. Sowing seeds begins 2 months before planting in the ground. But before sowing, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to improve their germination.
Choosing a container and preparing seeds for sowing
The initial stage of preparation is seed rejection. The seed is spread out on the table and carefully inspected for visible damage. Then they check for emptiness, since empty seeds will not sprout. To determine the emptiness of the seeds, 1 teaspoon of salt is dissolved in a glass of water, and the grains are placed in the solution for 10 minutes.
Those that surfaced are disposed of. The remaining seeds are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Then they are washed with running water and dried.
Important! The main purpose of disinfection of seed material is the prevention of diseases and pests.
To improve germination, seeds are placed in growth stimulants for 10 hours. These drugs include "Epin" or "Kornevin". In addition to specialized substances, aloe juice or melt water serves as a stimulant.
reference... Melted water can be obtained from melted snow. But before soaking the seeds, it must be heated to room temperature.
As for the capacity, it can be planted in a common container and in individual containers. The common container is a wooden box, and the individual containers are plastic and peat cups. If the container was used for last year's plantings, it must be disinfected with a weak solution of manganese, since pathogenic spores can remain in it.
In prepared containers, small drainage holes are made at the bottom, where excess moisture will drain. Drainage holes are especially necessary in plastic cups to avoid the development of diseases such as black leg.
reference... Blackleg is a fungal disease characteristic of the seedling period. Causes seedling lodging and death.
The soil is prepared from garden soil, peat and humus in equal amounts. River sand is added as a baking powder. After thorough mixing of the components, the prepared soil is spilled with a hot solution of purple manganese to destroy the pathogenic flora. After the soil has cooled, it is laid out in planting containers, filling them by two-thirds.
Sowing
The seeds are buried 1.5 cm, keeping the distance between them 2-3 cm. Sprinkle on top with peat, slightly moisten with a spray bottle with warm, settled water and cover the containers with a film to create greenhouse conditions. The seeded containers are left in a warm place at a temperature of 23-25 ° C.
Seedling care
After the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed and the containers are placed on the windowsill... With insufficient daylight hours, the seedlings will stretch out and weaken. Therefore, additional lighting is installed in advance, especially in regions where the length of the day is short.
Watered with warm, settled water with a shallow watering can, without flooding the seedlings. Excess moisture negatively affects the root system. After watering, the soil is superficially loosened, improving the air permeability of the soil.
When two true leaves are formed, the seedlings dive, seating them in separate containers. If the seedlings are left in a common container, then the distance between the bushes is increased to 15 cm.
Important! During the pick, only strong and healthy plants are left for further growth.
Two weeks before transplanting, the seedlings begin to harden. First, they are left outside for 1 hour. The time is increasing every day. At the same time, the night temperature in the room is reduced to 12 ° C.
Transfer to soil
The transplant is carried out 2 months after sowing the seeds.By this time, the bushes have 5–7 true leaves, a strong stem and a formed root system.
The wells are prepared in advance with a depth of 20 cm. One tablespoon of ash is placed on the bottom of each of them and poured with warm water.
Transplant seedlings in the evening hours or on a cloudy day. The place for tomato beds is chosen sunny, protected from drafts.
After planting, they are watered again and the seedlings are left to adapt to a new place. During the habituation, young plants are not watered or fed.
Planting pattern: 40 cm - distance between seedlings, 60 cm is left between rows. For 1 sq. m place no more than four plants.
Tomato care Loving heart
Competent care of any crop increases its immunity and helps to achieve the highest rates of fruiting.
Watering and fertilizing
After the seedlings take root, the first watering is performed. Watered with warm, settled water, strictly at the root, after sunset or in the morning. Regular watering is set no more than twice a week. It is important not to overmoisten the soil so as not to provoke the development of fungal diseases. To keep the beds moist longer, they are mulched with dry leaves or straw.
After watering, the soil is loosened, removing weeds with roots. Weeding the beds is mandatory, since a large number of pests live in the weeds.
The culture is fed three times during the entire growing season. The first top dressing is applied two weeks after transplantation. Fertilized with a full range of minerals.
Second top dressing brought in during the formation of ovaries. Plants are fed with a fertilizer containing phosphorus-potassium substances. For 1 seedling, 2 liters of fertilizer are consumed.
The third time is fertilized during fruiting. A full range of minerals serves as top dressing.
Important! All dressings are applied immediately after watering.
Shaping and garter
The maximum quantitative indicator is reached when culture is 2 stems. To do this, leave the stepson over the first flower brush. All other stepsons are removed regularly.
The pinching procedure is carried out early in the morning, so that by the evening all the wounds have time to heal. To avoid the occurrence of infections, the cut sites are treated with a weak solution of manganese.
reference. Stealing - removal of excess shoots from plants.
Those who breed indeterminate plants in their areas know that the garter is inevitable. During the transplant, a wooden or metal support is installed. The stem is fixed almost immediately, when planted in the ground. This helps him to form even and strong. As they grow, fruiting branches are fixed to the support, otherwise they will not withstand the weight of ripe fruits.
Harvesting
Ripe vegetables are harvested every 3-4 days, thereby unloading the bush for faster ripening of other vegetables. In areas with cold summers, not all tomatoes have time to ripen in the beds, so they are removed even unripe. They are left to gain color in a cool dry room.
reference... If some red tomatoes are left among the unripe tomatoes, ripening will occur faster.
The use of tomatoes is universal: they are suitable both for fresh dishes and for winter preparations.
Prevention of diseases and pests
According to the characteristics and reviews, the culture is distinguished by strong immunity to common diseases. Preventive measures are necessary if potatoes or peppers are planted next to the tomatoes. These crops also belong to the nightshade family, and if they are infected with an infection, tomato infection is possible.
Prevention includes:
- compliance with the rules of crop rotation. Tomato is not recommended to be planted in the place where peppers, eggplants and tomatoes previously grew;
- moderate watering with moisture control in the beds;
- weed removal;
- mulching;
- airing the greenhouse (if the tomato is planted in closed structures);
- annual change of the top layer of soil in the greenhouse;
- soil cultivation with copper sulfate.
In the open field, there is always a risk of pests attacking the beds, which can cause irreparable harm to all plantings. For prevention purposes, each bush is carefully examined for the presence of parasitic insects.
With their small number, it is possible to use folk methods, for example, spraying with decoctions of sharply odorous herbs or infusion of nettle. But with a large amount, it becomes necessary to use insecticides.
reference... With an invasion of insects, not only tomato seedlings are treated, but also neighboring crops.
Farmers reviews
The opinions of those who have planted crops on their plots are especially important when the variety is on trial. Positive reviews guarantee that the tomato will take root in many beds and will be included in the State Register.
Evgeniy, Moscow region: «Tomatoes are my love, so I grow them in large quantities in my garden. Among the indeterminate, I especially note the Loving Heart, as it tolerates sudden changes in temperature well, gives a high yield, and has good taste. "
Olga, Anapa: “I planted it for the first time this year and realized that I would plant it all the time, since the seedlings did not hurt, they tolerated a slight drought well, and they brought a rich crop of tasty and large tomatoes. I am very pleased with this unusual novelty among tomatoes. "
Conclusion
Planting a red Loving Heart tomato on your plots, you don't have to worry about being left without a crop. The culture withstands cold and drought, does not get sick and does not require special attention. Large and sweet vegetables are good not only in summer salads and sandwiches, but also in tomato juice, rich in vitamins.
The Loving Red Heart variety is an excellent solution for lovers of large-fruited tomatoes living in the northern regions.