Tomato variety “Black Heart of Breda”: characteristics and description

An increasing number of farmers are deciding to grow unusual varieties of tomatoes in their beds. Now original tomatoes are not perceived as plants that require special care. Everything changed with the advent of varieties such as Black Heart of Breda. This is the fruit of the work of a breeder from California. Brad Gates managed in early 2000 to develop a variety that produced tomatoes of different sizes. Some are surprisingly large, others are neat, small. The main thing is that all farmers who choose a variety of tomato plant are ultimately satisfied with the fruits.

Externally, the bushes look interesting and unusual, but this should not confuse Russian farmers. The experience and reviews of many gardeners indicate that a culture called Black Heart of Breda is taking root well in Russia.

Its main features:

• indeterminate plant;
• signs of tallness are well expressed;
• flower clusters on the central stem are a good sign indicating that the plant will bear fruit for a long time;
• a mid-season variety with a growing season of 90-120 days from the moment of germination.

Important.
The main advantages of the Black Heart of Breda variety can be considered the ability to grow well under temperature changes and ease of care. Although you need to take care of the garter. Tomatoes can sit for a long time, maintaining their ideal taste and pleasant aroma. Powerful and strong bushes, reaching 180 cm, develop a lot of foliage, which is trimmed if necessary. Proper agricultural technology allows fruit to form on all clusters without exception. On average, one cluster bears up to 6 fruits. There are cases when 10 tomatoes were formed.

Interesting. Tomatoes are non-hybrid, for this reason, the collected material is likely to produce good bushes next season, similar in all aspects to the “parents”.

When describing the fruits of the Black Heart of Breda variety, the following features should not be missed:

1. The shape of the tomato resembles a heart; there are round or elongated specimens.
2. The color at maturity varies from burgundy-black to deep purple.
3. The weight of one tomato is impressive, sometimes reaching a kilogram.
4. Large tomatoes are dense and meaty.
5. The taste is sweet with pleasant fruity notes.
6. The fruits of the Black Heart Breda variety are characterized by a pleasant, delicate aroma.

The variety of culture develops well in the southern regions and in the central zone of the country. Excellent results await attentive farmers in Siberia and the Urals. It is easy to achieve excellent yields with this plant. The bush can easily produce from 5 to 20 kg of tomatoes. The result largely depends on the air temperature and the amount of nutrients added by farmers to the soil. The variety Black Heart of Breda, taking into account the reviews, was able to become famous for its excellent immunity to the development of late blight.

Brief characteristics of the variety

• Fruits and bush : tomato weight 300-600 g, color burgundy-violet. The bush is indeterminate, height is 150-180 cm.
• Productivity : from one bush it is possible to remove 10-20 kg.
• Resistance : the variety is immune to most typical crop diseases. Blossom rot is a danger to the plant.
• Distribution : actively grown in greenhouse conditions in all regions of Russia. In open areas, it is preferred in the southern and central regions of the country.
• Application : the fruits are used fresh, as well as for making sauces, pastes, and adjika.
• Planting : seedling method. The timing of sowing seeds is the end of winter - the beginning of spring. Scheme: 2-3 bushes per 1 m²
• Soil : fertile, nutritious, loose, well fertilized with organic and mineral substances, with average acidity.
• Care : the plant needs moderate watering, weeding, fertilizing, tying, bush formation and pinching.
• Ripening period : 90-130 days from the moment the first shoots appear.

Description and characteristics of Brad's Black Heart tomato, reviews, photos

The original name of this variety is Brad's black heart .

Tall, mid-season, exotic tomato . The plant is of an indeterminate type, up to 1.8 meters high in the greenhouse at the end of the season. Requires tying to the support and pinning.

Basic qualities of fruits

The fruits are dark red in color with dark purple shoulders, mostly heart-shaped, some tomatoes are more round in shape. The average weight was from 300 to 500 grams .

Very tasty, sweet, meaty, of all the black (dark) tomatoes, I liked this variety the most.

I grew it in 2 stems, this is the most optimal. I sown seedlings in early March and planted them in the greenhouse in mid-May. I will plant it next year, they say that black tomatoes are very healthy, and this one is also delicious.

The yield for greenhouse varieties is average.

It is advisable to sow the seeds of this tomato for seedlings 60-65 days before the intended planting in the ground.

Varietal features

The Black Heart Breda variety is a non-hybrid type, so you can collect the seeds yourself to grow tomatoes next year.

The plant is adapted both for growing in greenhouse conditions and in open areas. It is positively characterized by increased resistance to most diseases typical for this culture.

Description of the bush and fruits

According to the description provided by seed manufacturers, varietal tomato bushes have the following qualities:

• The plant is indeterminate and stops growing only after pinching off the upper point of development. The height of the bush reaches 150-180 cm;
• stems are strong, moderately branched, heavily leafy;
• the ovaries are actively formed, each cluster consists of 5-7 fruits;
• the plant is resistant to sudden changes in temperature.

The fruits have the following qualities:

• the shape can be different: round, heart-shaped, slightly elongated;
• tomatoes are large, the weight of one copy is 300-600 g;
• the color of fruits at the stage of biological maturity varies from rich red to dark burgundy, almost black with a purple tint;
• the fruit pulp is dense, juicy, with a moderate amount of dry matter;
• the taste is bright, rich, sweet and sour, the characteristic aroma is strongly felt.

Yield indicators, fruiting dates

The Black Heart tomato variety is classified as mid-season; the fruits ripen 90-120 days after the first shoots appear. The ovaries are formed throughout the growing season. The fruits can be picked at a state of technical maturity; they ripen quickly at home without losing their high taste qualities.

The peculiarity of varietal tomatoes is that you can pick fruits of different shapes and sizes from one bush. Proper care of the plant involves the formation of fruits on each of the tiers.

Based on the description, the yield of the variety is above average; 10-20 kg of full-fledged fruits are harvested from one bush. In the case of greenhouse cultivation, the indicators are higher than when cultivated in open areas.

Scope of fruit application.

You can get 20 kg of fruit from a bush

The fruits of the Black Heart of Breda tomatoes are universal in their use. They are used both fresh, as an ingredient for preparing salads and light snacks, and canned for the winter in the form of sauces, pastes, adjika, lecho. Whole fruit canning is used extremely rarely.

Cultivation regions

The southern regions and central Russia, where climatic conditions are moderate and quite mild, are suitable for growing tomatoes in open ground. During greenhouse cultivation, the variety is often planted in the northern regions: in Siberia, in the Urals.

Cultivation of the variety in open and protected ground

When growing Black Heart of Breda tomatoes in a greenhouse, they grow taller and produce a richer harvest. Therefore, this variety is often cultivated in closed ground.

Before planting tomatoes in protected soil, the walls of the room are treated with copper sulfate. To ensure optimal humidity, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated by opening the windows.

When growing tomatoes in open ground, they need to be protected from frost. To do this, they are covered with film at night for the first 2 weeks after picking. This method is then used during cold weather.

In open ground, the rows are mulched with hay, humus or straw. This protects the roots from freezing, slows down the growth of weeds and prevents the development of pathogens. Mulch also acts as additional fertilizer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of the tomato variety are the following:

• under favorable conditions for the variety, productivity indicators are above average;
• tomato is resistant to most diseases, in particular late blight;
• the variety is hardy and easily tolerates temperature changes;
• The fruits, after being picked from the bush, ripen on their own without losing their taste.

The disadvantages of the variety are the need for additional care, which consists of tying, pinching and forming a bush. Also, the variety is often subject to such an unpleasant disease as blossom end rot.

What gardeners say

Most vegetable growers who practiced growing tomatoes of the Black Heart Breda variety were satisfied with the results.
The unusual color of the fruit, their impressive size, combined with excellent taste, leave few indifferent. Gardeners note that when cultivating tomatoes in greenhouses, yields are significantly higher than when growing them in open areas. It is also recommended to form a bush into not one, but several stems.

The unusual appearance of the fruits, high taste and good yield far outweigh the inconvenience of growing them - the need to tie up the plant. In all other respects, this variety is undemanding; it only requires compliance with the basic rules of agricultural technology.

With a little effort, you can get a decent harvest of high-quality, full-fledged fruits with an atypical color. They will not only decorate the holiday table, but will also be useful for winter preservation.

Growing seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings begins in late February-early March. The seeds must first be disinfected by soaking them for 25-30 minutes. in a warm, pink solution of potassium permanganate with the addition of growth stimulants.

If the material is purchased from reputable manufacturers, it does not require additional processing.

Washed and dried seeds are sown in suitable containers to a depth of 2.5-3 cm. The soil for sowing should be nutritious, light, neutral. After sowing, the containers are covered with transparent polyethylene and placed in a warm place. With the appearance of the first shoots, the film is removed and the seedlings are transferred to the light.

After 2 true leaves appear on the seedlings, they are picked (transplanted) into separate pots. It must be carried out as carefully as possible so as not to damage the fragile root system of the plant.

When picking, the root is specially pinched (the tip is torn off) in order to stimulate the growth of lateral roots and obtain a more developed root system.

Fertilizing is carried out 2-3 times during the period of further growth and development of seedlings. Humus and mineral additives are added alternately in liquid form.

Mineral water-soluble forms are used as fertilizers, for example Aquarin, Mortar, Crystallon.

6-8 days before transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place, you need to start hardening them. The bottom line is that the seedlings are taken out into fresh air every day or the temperature in the room where they are lowered. Every day the time the seedlings stay there increases.

Growing

To obtain positive results, the tomato plant should be sown as seedlings in nutritious, light, well-loose soil. At the seedling stage, according to recommendations, Black Heart Breda tomatoes do not need a lot of moisture. It is necessary to ensure regular watering at the stage of seedling germination. Only clean, heated water is used. Seeds planted in the ground to a depth of 3 centimeters will be able to hatch well. If gardeners maintain heat and reduce moisture evaporation using a plastic cover.

It is mandatory to carry out a disinfection procedure for seed material. The shoots may appear perfectly healthy, but untreated seeds have been known to often produce plants that wilt before a pair of true leaves have formed. The treatment consists of soaking the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate.

It is important for gardeners to carry out timely picking as soon as the real first leaves of the seedlings are fully opened. From this moment you can start feeding, limiting yourself to applying it a couple of times every two weeks.

It will take about a week for the tomatoes to get used to it. After this time, you need to choose an ideal, windless and well-lit area for transplantation. As a rule, transplantation occurs at the beginning of April. But in some regions you have to wait until mid-May to plant the crop in the ground and not worry about the likelihood of frost.

If there is a need, say, for regions with short summers, transplantation is planned for June. You shouldn’t plant many bushes per square meter. It is enough to stop at 3 or even 2. You can plant even more densely if farmers decide to grow Black Heart of Breda without forming several stems.

The bushes will bear fruit well and produce tomatoes of different sizes and shapes if you develop a proper care plan. Overall, it is important to focus on fertilization.

The first feeding after transplantation is carried out using organic fertilizer. It is advisable to feed tomato bushes with slurry diluted in water. Wood ash can be used if there are signs of insufficient exposure to sunlight.

The ideal harvest will be for farmers who took care of the quality of the soil on the site, fertilizing it with manure in the fall. It helps to achieve good results by adding a mixture of manure and potassium chloride along with superphosphate.

For additional ventilation of the plant, it is advisable to remove several lower leaves. This procedure prevents the development of fungal diseases. Water the tomatoes as needed, as soon as the top layer of soil dries completely.

According to the description, the Black Heart of Breda tomato variety tolerates slight increases in temperature and drought. It is absolutely impossible to leave the crop without moisture.

Further care

Tomato productivity depends on the quality of care

Compliance with the basic techniques for caring for plants of this variety will ensure that yield indicators will increase significantly.

The plant will be less susceptible to diseases, and fruiting will last for a longer period.

Watering and loosening

Watering tomatoes is carried out regularly, in the evening, moderately moistening the soil at the root. The drip method of irrigation with warm, settled water is popular. Moistening should be carried out so that water does not fall on the green mass of the plant.

After each watering, the soil around the bushes is loosened while weeds are removed. This promotes better air circulation in the root zone and retains moisture in the soil for a longer period.

Feeding

For good growth and development of tomato bushes, the soil in the garden bed must be prepared in advance by fertilizing it with manure or humus. Before directly transplanting the seedlings, the soil is fertilized with superphosphate and potassium chloride. It is also useful to add 1 tbsp to each well. wood ash.

After transplanting the seedlings into a greenhouse or garden bed, after 5-7 days, they are fertilized with an infusion of slurry. During the period of ovary formation and at the beginning of fruiting, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the soil. Active fruiting requires complex fertilizing, alternating mineral and organic substances.

Garter

Tall tomato bushes Black heart of delirium require a mandatory garter. The stems of the crop are powerful; a large number of fruits on the clusters can damage them. You need to secure the stems and brushes on reliable supports in a timely manner.

It is recommended to garter immediately after flowering, when the bushes begin to actively form ovaries. Some leaves are removed to improve air circulation inside the bush. This will improve access to sunlight for fruits and will prevent the risk of fungal and infectious diseases.

You should start tying up bushes of indeterminate tomatoes 7-10 days after planting them in a permanent place.

Stepsoning

A bush of this variety is formed in several ways.

• In one stem. In this case, the plant stretches in height, but the fruits promise to be larger.
• In 2-3 stems. This method is more common and consists of the following: one stepson is left under the first three inflorescences. The rest are regularly removed, not allowing them to grow more than 5-7 cm in length. 6-7 inflorescences are left on the stem. Fewer clusters contribute to larger fruits.

Reviews

Nina, Moscow: “I really liked the variety. From one bush I picked four giants of 600 grams each, three more small ones (150-200 grams each) and a lot of medium-sized tomatoes. The taste of tomatoes is rich and intense.”

Elena, Arkhangelsk: “Before that, I experimented with black tomatoes, but then the variety turned out to be unsuccessful. But Black Heart pleased me with both its yield and taste. I will plant more."

Marina, Sverdlovsk region: “I grew Ch.S.B. in a greenhouse. The bushes formed into three stems and grew up to 1.5 m. A very productive variety. The tomatoes, as chosen, are all approximately the same size, weighing 300–400 grams. The pulp is dense, without water, and tastes sweet.”

Disease and pest control

The variety is resistant to most tomato diseases, especially late blight. But it is sensitive to blossom end rot. To prevent the occurrence of this disease, plants are regularly (once a week) sprayed with a solution of calcium nitrate. This procedure is especially relevant during the period of active fruit growth.

For harmful insects, treatments with insecticides or folk remedies (infusions of herbs, garlic, ash sprinkles) are used. A soap solution of laundry soap, which washes the pest off the green mass, helps against aphid infestations.

Agricultural technology

Tomatoes are planted in the ground when the soil has warmed up and the danger of frost has passed. The picking time depends on the climatic characteristics of the region. The colder it is in your area, the later the seedlings are transplanted to a permanent location.

3 days before picking, the seedlings are watered and fed. This will allow her to better settle into her new place.

Planting seedlings in a permanent place

For tomatoes, choose the sunniest place on the site. It should not be located near potato plantings. The worst precursors for tomatoes are nightshade crops, the best are legumes, cabbage, onions and cucumbers.

In autumn, the soil is cleared of the remains of cultivated plants and weeds. It is fertilized with humus. To reduce acidity, dry lime is spread over the beds.

In spring, the soil is dug up and cleared of plant roots. To enrich its composition, chicken manure and ash are used. To disinfect the soil, water it with a solution of copper sulfate.

The holes are dug in rows in a checkerboard pattern. For 1 sq. m plant no more than 3 plants. A wooden support is immediately placed near each hole.

Tomatoes are placed in the holes along with a lump of earth. The depressions are filled with soil, which is compacted. Then the tomatoes are watered, spending 1 liter of warm water on each plant. The next watering is in 2 weeks.

Caring for tomatoes Black Heart Breda

Tall bushes of the Black Heart of Breda need a garter. Plants are attached to a support as they grow. The heaviest clusters with fruits are tied up separately.

Form a tomato into 1-3 stems. The more stems left, the smaller the fruits will be and the later they will ripen. When forming plants into 1 stem, it is possible to obtain the largest fruits, but the yield in this case will be lower.

When pinching, remove damaged and lower leaves. Ugly and small inflorescences also need to be removed from the bush.

Water the tomatoes every 2 days. At least 2 liters of warm, settled water are consumed per plant. Liquid should not fall on the ground part of the bush.

Tomatoes are fed 3-4 times per season. Use organic and mineral fertilizers, alternating them.

The plants are sprayed with foliar fertilizers twice a season. This accelerates the formation and ripening of fruits.

The nuances of growing tomatoes

Experienced gardeners know several nuances that will help get the maximum yield of the Black Heart of Breda.

Below are the most important tips:

Particular attention is paid to fertilizing tomatoes. Twice a season, tomatoes are fed with mullein solution, yeast fertilizers or vermicompost.

Complex mineral fertilizers can be purchased in stores or prepared independently. The last feeding should contain potassium and phosphorus. Before feeding tomatoes, water the plants with plenty of water. Otherwise, fertilizers may cause root burns. Synthetic thread is used to tie tomatoes. The natural material will begin to rot, causing plant diseases. They plant tomatoes once a week. No more than 3 leaves are removed in one procedure.

Diseases and pests

The Black Heart Breda variety is not susceptible to most tomato diseases. He does not suffer from late blight. However, according to reviews from gardeners, it is often affected by blossom end rot.

To reduce the likelihood of plant infection, all tools that interact with them are disinfected. To do this, seeds and soil are disinfected.

Be sure to follow the rules of watering and pinching. Otherwise, the plants' resistance to infections will decrease.

The bushes are sprayed weekly with a solution of calcium nitrate to prevent vomiting from blossom end rot.

To prevent damage to tomato bushes by pests, they are sprayed with a soap solution and dandelion decoction. Large insects are collected by hand.

Collection and storage of tomatoes

The first wave of harvest occurs 100-110 days after the first shoots. Warm and dry weather is suitable for collection. After removing the fruits from the bush, they must be dried additionally, this will prevent their further rotting.

Tomatoes can be picked when they are at the stage of technical maturity. For further ripening, the fruits are placed in one layer in suitable containers and placed in a cool, dry, ventilated room. External inspection of vegetables should be carried out regularly to detect and remove damaged specimens.

Recommendations for growing

Tomatoes can be grown both in greenhouse conditions and in open ground. The breed is well suited for the southern regions of central Russia. Apart from this, tomatoes performed very well in the Siberian climate and in the Urals. Productivity is high. In open ground conditions, one bush grows on average about 12 kg. If planting is done in a greenhouse and proper care is organized, then grain yield can be significantly increased.

The variety is resistant to most diseases. Immune to various viral fungal diseases, including late blight. For normal development, tomatoes need light, nutritious and loose malt. It is necessary to regularly water the plants with warm water.

Planting seedlings cannot but begin in the second ten days of February, the deadline is the onset of spring. Planting material must be planted in the soil to a depth of 3 cm. Before planting, the seeds must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and washed with water.

Again, don’t forget about picking. It is usually carried out when the plant has two true leaves. Bushes need hardening and feeding. Otherwise, planting is carried out in a warm greenhouse, then this should be done in early April. If the greenhouse is not heated, then planting should be done in early or mid-May.

Receive and sign one square meter should not contain more than 2-3 bushes. The density of the planting may be greater if the formation was carried out in one shoot. Plants need to be fed with organic fertilizers. After planting, the bushes need to be supported with slurry. If there is a lack of sunlight, ash must be added to the ground. In order to accelerate the growth of tomatoes, you need to prepare regolith. This is usually done in the fall by adding manure to the soil.

Despite the fact that plants can easily support the weight of their own fruits, there is no need to tie them up. In order to improve air flow, reduce the threat of disease and increase light access to tomatoes, you need to regularly remove leaves.

Recommendations for the stepson procedure:

1. It is necessary to remove the stepsons that are located between the leaves, and also the tops. The formation of bushes is carried out in one stem. Thus, you can increase the number of plants in a limited area, but you will need a warm garden with a high ceiling.
2. The stepson located under the first inflorescence needs to be finished off, secured, and after one or two flowering clusters are formed, pinch it. This will allow the fruits on the lower tiers to develop normally and will affect the height of the bush. But at the same time, the weight will decrease, and there will be a need for additional gartering and pinching of the stem.
3. Formation is carried out in several stems. There remain stepsons with 1, 2 or 3 inflorescences. Until now, the unnecessary ones are removed. In this case, you can control the number of tomatoes and thereby avoid “crushing” the crop.

To please anyone, the formation of this variety does not require the use of complex agricultural technology. Assholes will do well if grown in 3-4 stems. They are unpretentious, hardy, resistant to high and low temperatures, and in turn to most diseases.

Tomatoes can have different shapes and weights. So they are united by a unique taste and aroma. The fruit size is usually above average, the color is burgundy-black with a purple tint.

Variety varieties

Due to its great popularity, the tomato has many varieties that have similar characteristics but differ in color.

Pink

These include the following subspecies of the variety:

• Pink. A mid-late giant, the weight of the fruit reaches 600 g. Planting is carried out both in open ground and in a greenhouse. The main feature is the location on one bush of both large and very small fruits (up to 100 g). Does not apply to shelf-stable varieties: the shelf life of ripe tomatoes does not exceed 10 days;
• Abakanskoe. In a temperate continental climate, it is advisable to grow in a greenhouse. Needs a garter to a very strong support. It is better to form into one stem;
• Michael's Pink. A very rare early subspecies. The fruit looks like a giant heart;
• Babushkino. An indeterminate hybrid, the height of the bush can reach up to 160 cm. The weight of tomatoes reaches 0.5 kg;
• Joe pink. The weight of the fruit can exceed 1 kg. Carpal plant. High yield;
• Chernigovskoe. A sweet, fleshy tomato with an average ripening period, grown in open ground and in greenhouses;
• Favorite holiday. Bred by breeders from Siberia. Ideal for planting in areas of central Russia. Determinate plant. The weight of the fruit can reach 1.3 kg;
• Fish Lake. The family subspecies is native to Canada. Has a high sugar content. Average weight – 350-600 g. In a temperate continental climate, it is advisable to grow tomatoes in greenhouses;
• Compact A low-growing subspecies that does not require powerful support. Tomatoes are characterized by early ripening - already 100 days after the sprouts appear, fruits are formed.

The shades of this type of tomato vary from bright pink to pink-raspberry.

Reds

Subspecies that have red fruits of varying intensities include:

• Minusinsk Exhibition. Bright red tomato, reaching a weight of 0.6 kg. Virtually no seeds;
• Striped. The carmine-red skin has dark stripes. Bushes grow up to 170 cm. When growing, they need a garter;
• German Homer. A very popular mid-season hybrid tomato. In 2014, it was recognized as the largest-fruited: fruit weight reaches 1.5 kg. The peculiarity of the tomato is the presence of small ribs;
• French. The plant is easy to care for, resistant to diseases and lack of moisture;
• Linney. Medium-sized, mid-early subspecies. A tomato turns red when ripe. Contains a small amount of seeds. The weight of the fetus reaches 680 g.

Yellow

There are also yellow subspecies of this variety:

• Dawson's Russian. Amateur subspecies. Fruit weight is from 0.8 to 1 kg. They are yellow with red veins;
• Golden. The hybrid was obtained by artificial pollination of 2 varieties, which is marked f1. Late ripening plant. The fruits are dense and smooth, weight - from 240 to 280 g;
• Orange. New. A tomato with the shortest growing season (115 days pass from the moment sprouts appear to full ripening) and unlimited growth of the bush (its height reaches 180 cm). The color of a ripe vegetable is yellow-orange, weight – from 150 to 400 g.

The yellow varieties have an unusual and beautiful appearance, and the fruits have a wonderful taste.

White

The bush of the White Bull's Heart variety can grow up to 1.5-2 m in height. When ripe, the tomato becomes white-yellow (less often pinkish). The pulp is yellow.

Most often, a tomato weighs from 200 to 300 g, some “giants” grow up to 600-800 g. Recommended for baby food due to its hypoallergenicity. The crop needs staking due to its high growth.

Black

The Oxheart black tomato has a brown-burgundy peel color with a black tint. The tall crop (reaching more than 1.5 m) produces heart-shaped fruits weighing from 350 to 600 g. It is distinguished by a dense, non-cracking peel, which guarantees good transportability and preservation of its presentation for a long time.

One bunch will grow up to 7 tomatoes. The harvest is harvested quite late - in August and September.

Raspberry

The fruits reach a weight of more than 500 grams

The Raspberry subspecies is distinguished by its increased resistance to various climatic conditions: it is able to grow in the north of Russia, in the central regions of the country (Moscow region), and in the southern regions. The tomatoes are smooth, heart-shaped, raspberry in color, weighing 350-600 g.

The bush is spreading, consists of several stems. Up to 4 tomatoes are tied on one brush.

Heart of Ashgabat: old variety of tomatoes with large orange fruits

Now a huge number of varieties and hybrids of tomatoes have been bred, but gardeners do not refuse many well-deserved ones, grown for half a century. One of the old varieties that has not lost its fans is the Heart of Ashgabat tomato, which bears bright yellow fruits.

History of tomato cultivation Heart of Ashgabat

The Heart of Ashgabat tomato is considered a variety of folk selection, bred in the Turkmen SSR in the 1960s. and quickly became popular among gardeners of that era. It is known that the variety received state registration in 1972, but currently there is no entry about it in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation.

Most often, the Heart of Ashgabat variety is grown in the southern regions, which is not surprising, but in protected soil it can grow well and bear fruit throughout our country. It has become especially easy to grow it with the advent of modern polycarbonate greenhouses. In regions such as the Astrakhan and Rostov regions, Stavropol region, Crimea, and the Heart of Ashgabat, they are successfully grown in open ground.

Description of the variety Heart of Ashgabat

The Heart of Ashgabat tomato is considered a semi-determinate standard variety; its bush grows up to one and a half meters high. The foliage is average. The formation of a bush is mandatory; usually it is grown in 2 or 3 stems, tying them to supports. 4 plants are kept per square meter. The variety is slightly affected by late blight and other tomato diseases, but during periods of prolonged rain the fruits are prone to cracking.

Not all fruits are the same in size, even the shape can vary

The variety is considered mid-early: the first fruits ripen 100–110 days after sowing the seeds for seedlings or, in the south, directly into the garden bed. Productivity is above average: up to 7 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush.

As the name suggests, the fruits are heart-shaped. They are quite large: on average they grow up to 300–400 g, but the first tomatoes on the bush can reach up to half a kilogram and contain 6 or 7 chambers. The color is bright yellow, closer to orange when fully ripe. Tomatoes store well and are suitable for transportation over medium distances.

The number of seeds is small, the pulp is fleshy, aromatic, very good taste, sweetish, practically without sourness. Some gardeners call the Heart of Ashgabat one of the best yellow-fruited varieties. The purpose is salad, but in addition to fresh consumption, the fruits are also suitable for processing. Whole-fruit canning in jars is difficult due to the size of tomatoes, so yellow tomato juice is mainly prepared from them. The fruits are suitable for producing a dried product. The variety is recommended for dietary nutrition.

The most suitable characteristic of fruits is “one meat”

Advantages and disadvantages compared to other similar varieties

The fact that many gardeners have been interested in this variety for half a century, and this interest has only been growing in recent years, testifies to the great potential that breeders have built into it. Seeds in bags are sold in 7-10 pieces and do not cost a penny at all. The variety has the following advantages:

• good yield;
• excellent taste of fruits;
• long-term preservation and good transportability;
• resistance to major diseases;
• beautiful appearance.

As relative disadvantages, they note the need to form a bush and the increased heat-loving nature of the variety, which does not allow it to be grown in the middle zone and in the north without shelter.

The number of tomato varieties is currently huge, many of them bearing yellow tomatoes, as well as those with heart-shaped fruits. But there were not many varieties that combine these two characteristics at the same time. Thus, tomatoes Bull's heart orange and Bull's heart amber have similar characteristics, and Bull's heart golden is characterized by excellent fruit taste and high yield, but is late-ripening. The Golden Heart tomato is early ripening, but its fruits weigh only 100 g, so they are used in whole-fruit canning.

The orange Honey Heart tomato also has rather small fruits, but the taste is characterized as excellent. The Orange Heart variety is also popular, bearing small fruits of excellent taste that retain their qualities during long-term storage. Thus, recently many varieties have been created that are similar to the Heart of Ashgabat and are its worthy competitors.