The tomato Pink (Raspberry) elephant is a large-fruited variety that requires a lot of attention and care. But proper care will help grow tasty fruit, reaching one kilogram.
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Description and characteristics of tomato Pink Elephant
The pink elephant is a medium-sized bush with leaves of potato type. Height according to the description can reach one and a half meters.
Each brush contains 6-8 tomatoes.And the average yield per plant is about 4 kilograms. The fruits are very large, round. The skin is dense, but thin, protects the fruit from cracks.
Most suitable for fresh consumption. For preservation, they are too large, and for juice they are not quite suitable due to their pink hue. Possesses rich sweetish taste, without sourness.
Ripening period from planting to the first ripe fruit - 115 days. it mid-season variety that is considered one of the most delicious pink tomatoes.
Tomato according to the characteristics loves heat, so it is ideal for growing in a greenhouse. In open beds, he may need a film cover. Depends on the region and temperature.
The advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Main advantages of the variety:
- Large fruits.
- High yield.
- Resistance to diseases.
- Taste qualities.
- Long shelf life.
- Suitable for transportation.
Among the shortcomings noted:
- Need to feed.
- Demanding on the quality of watering.
- The need for a stable temperature.
Requirements for soil for planting
You can add a small amount of river sand, or wood ash. If you can not prepare the mixture yourself, you can purchase the necessary composition in the store.
Soil should be well warmed and wet. This should be taken care of in advance. Before planting, the land is recommended to be treated with copper sulphate, or a solution of potassium permanganate.
Sowing rules
Sow seeds for seedlings should in the second half of March. Pre-need to soak them in a growth stimulator for twelve hours.
Seeds collected more than two years ago are best. They have the largest percentage of germination. Three year olds are also suitable.
For planting suitable containers with lids, which can be purchased at a flower shop. Covers are needed to ensure the greenhouse effect. If there are none, then you can use food wrap.
Having filled the reservoir with earth, it is necessary to form the wells. The optimal size is about two centimeters deep.After placing the seedlings, you need to fill up the holes and water.
After that, containers are recommended to be covered with lids, or foil and placed in a warm, well-lit place. If all sowing rules are observed, the first shoots will appear in a week.
In the future they will need:
- Regular watering.
- Ventilation.
- Removal of condensate from the covers, or film.
To prepare seedlings for outdoor conditions, it’s worth it tempering. For this, about ten days before landing in open ground, it is necessary to make it on the street. Time intervals need to gradually increase.
Transplantation in open ground
Therefore, it should be planted not earlier than June. It should pick up a sunny plot, which is protected from the wind.
Well, if on the day of disembarkation there will be cloudy weather. If not, do it better in the evening. In this case, the seedlings quickly adapt to new conditions.
The distance between rows and holes should be 70 centimeters. To the bushes are not intertwined with each other. From this decreases the level of productivity.
Care after transplant
Caring for a tomato Pink Elephant is quite simple and easy to implement. But it requires an integrated approach.
First of all need to eliminate stepchildren. Thus, the load is regulated. On each brush should be left no more than 4 flowers. Removed small and deformed.
In order to avoid possible diseases, leaves are removed lower tier. This should be done very carefully, trying not to damage the main stem.
Required manipulations:
- Watering.
- Fertilizer soil.
- The formation of bushes.
- Loosening the soil.
- Weed removal.
After some time it will take tying branches with fruits to the supports. Iron rods or wood pegs are suitable for this. It is best to form bushes in one stem. This guarantees maximum yield.
Recommended water tomatoes water with salt and ash. Ten liters requires one glass of ash and one tablespoon of salt. From this, the fruits become more sugary and fleshy. Water should not be too cold.
Soil loosening in between watering allows oxygen to penetrate to the roots.This prevents the occurrence of weeds and diseases.
During the season you need to enter top dressing. This is done no more than four times. Nitrogen-containing components are used before flowering, and magnesium sulfate after ovary.
Disease and Prevention
However, this does not negate the minimum preventive action. For this purpose industrial insecticides, decoction of chamomile, decoction of celandine will fit perfectly. Warm soapy water helps get rid of aphids. It is necessary to wipe the stems with it.
To combat pests, you can use:
- Parsley
- Celery
- Mint.
These plants need plant near tomatoes. Their spicy aroma will protect against insects.
Growing a tomato Pink Elephant does not require professional skills. With proper care and compliance with all recommendations, it will be possible to gather a rich and tasty harvest. Which can be enjoyed for a long time, given the long shelf life of tomatoes.