A variety with refreshing fruits - the Oxheart tomato: a detailed description of tomatoes

Description

The oxheart tomato is a late-ripening tomato, although some gardeners claim that the variety is mid-ripening. But most likely, it is considered as such due to compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. Oxheart tomatoes were bred by our breeders at the turn of the century. Included in the State Register of Selection Achievements more than 20 years ago. And almost immediately all the summer residents fell in love with him. For decades, the oxheart variety has remained a favorite of gardeners. The variety is large-fruited and fleshy.

Since the variety is predominantly late-ripening, tomatoes are recommended to be grown in warm regions and greenhouses. If you live in the southern region, then this variety is suitable. If you live in the north or central Russia, grow oxheart tomatoes in greenhouse conditions. Maybe the taste will not be very high, but the yield will be good.

Appearance of plant and fruit

Oxheart is a tomato with an indeterminate bush type. However, even here opinions differ. Some gardeners claim that the plant is semi-determinate

Attention: indeterminate bush - when the growth of the plant is not limited. Some bushes reach a height of a couple of meters.

In the greenhouse, the height of the plant is no more than 1.5 meters. In open ground this figure is slightly lower. But some gardeners organize competitions for themselves and grow not only giant fruits, but also giant plants. Why they do this is unclear. The ox heart variety has large fruit and a tall bush type, which means that the plant must undergo shaping, pinching and staking.

The number of leaves on the bush is average, the leaves of the variety are standard green, with a characteristic bitter odor. Light fluff is noticeable. The inflorescence is simple yellow. The roots of the ox heart are very powerful, going to a depth of more than a meter. Due to this feature and indeterminate nature, the plant requires a lot of water. Therefore, it must be watered abundantly (watering will be written about below).

Oxheart is a tomato that has, above all, excellent taste. They owe their name to their interesting shape, reminiscent of the heart of an ox (not a bull). By the way, many inexperienced summer residents confuse the varieties ox and ox heart. If they had asked the villagers the difference between an ox and an ox, they would have changed their minds. In addition, in terms of taste and growth, the bull's heart is much higher than its counterpart.

The color of ripe fruits is bright, closer to crimson in color. The average weight reaches 350 grams. Other record holders weigh 400 grams or more. Seed chambers, as well as seeds, are few and far between, which is an added plus for some. The skin of the berries is dense, but thin on the surface, prone to cracking. Due to the high concentration of sugar (it is visible at the break of the berry), ripe tomatoes do not last long, their shelf life and transportability are so-so. Therefore, it is better to collect ripe fruits and use them faster.

Ripening period

According to the description of the State Register, ox heart belongs to varieties with a late ripening period. The harvest period from the appearance of the first shoots will be 115 days (approximately 3.5 months or more).

Drought resistance, frost resistance

The oxheart tomato has mostly positive reviews, in particular for immunity and resistance to heat. But unfortunately, the variety does not tolerate temperature changes and low temperatures well. Late-ripening varieties almost always do not tolerate cold weather well, because their fruits do not have time to ripen in time.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Like all varietal vegetable crops, the Oxheart tomato has its pros and cons.

The advantages include:

• large fruit;
• attractive appearance of the fruit;
• excellent taste;
• high yield (with proper care and suitable growing conditions);
• suitable for cultivation both in open ground and in greenhouses;
• good resistance to various diseases (which is very important for late-ripening varieties).

Flaws:

• the plant is highly demanding in care;
• long ripening period (which is not suitable for all regions);
• low resistance to temperature changes;
• short shelf life of ripe fruits.

Characteristic

Ox heart is a wonderful variety that is loved by many gardeners. It has excellent taste characteristics, and not only that. The variety has many other advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

There is nothing perfect in the world. Even plants and animals. Therefore, what one person likes, another will not like at all. Someone will consider one of the advantages to be a disadvantage, and vice versa. But the oxheart tomato has many advantages that outweigh the number of disadvantages.

Advantages of the variety:

• High taste indicators (opinions may be divided);
• Excellent productivity;
• Normal immunity to disease;
• Good presentation;
• The fleshiness of the berries, which most gardeners like;
• Possibility of harvesting your own seeds from ripe fruits.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• The bush is quite capricious when growing;
• The plant needs constant staking, shaping and pinching;
• The fruits ripen late, which is unacceptable for cold regions;
• Ripe berries quickly lose their marketable appearance, which limits their transportation;
• The taste is not for everybody: not everyone likes sweet and sour;
• Large fruits are not suitable for whole-fruit preservation. Even if you cut them into pieces, they will crack and will not hold their shape in the jar.

Productivity

Judging by the characteristics and description of the variety, the oxheart tomato produces an excellent harvest. Probably every gardener wants to grow tomatoes on their plot, from which they harvest several kilograms. Ox heart is just one of these varieties. The average yield varies from 4-7 kg per bush (in open ground). In a greenhouse these figures are significantly higher: up to 11 kg per bush.

Ox heart has two varieties: Minusinsk and pink striped. They differ so much in terms of growth and taste that they are considered practically independent varieties. Tomato Minusinsk ox heart is a mid-season variety. It was created by “folk” breeders. The characteristics of the variety differ slightly from the original ones, in particular the weight of the fruit. The maximum weight of the berry reaches 300 grams, with a small number of seeds. Form a bush of the variety with 3 stems.

Growing regions

The ox heart variety is late-ripening and ripens late, so the preferred regions for growing in open ground are the south. Growing in greenhouse conditions is suitable only for the north and middle zone.

Tomatoes Oxheart on video

If you grew Oxheart tomatoes, please write whether you liked them or not. What was the yield and taste of the fruits like under your climatic conditions? How do you rate the disease resistance of this tomato variety? Briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of this tomato in your opinion. If possible, attach a photo of the entire bush or individual fruits you grew to your comment. Thank you!

Your reviews of the Oxheart tomato and additions to the description will help many gardeners evaluate this variety objectively and decide whether it is worth planting or not.

Landing Features

Like most varieties of tomatoes, this variety is grown in seedlings: seeds are sown in pre-prepared soil, and after 2 leaves appear, picking is done; then the seedlings are hardened off before planting; and as soon as the optimal time approaches, they are planted in a permanent place.

Soil and planting algorithm

Before sowing seeds, it is important to decide on the timing. Late varieties are planted even earlier than mid-season and early varieties. Sowing ox heart seedlings is usually carried out at the end of March, around the 20th. The southern the climate of the region, the earlier the seeds are sown.

The stages of planting seedlings are as follows:

• Rejection of seeds in saline solution;
• Disinfection in a strong solution of potassium permanganate;
• Treatment of seeds with a special stimulant;
• Sprouting on a saucer or cotton pad (optional);
• Preparing soil of good quality: without high levels of acidity, disinfected and fertilized. You buy the soil or prepare it yourself (turf, peat and humus). Purchased soil is sometimes steamed for “fidelity”;
• Filling the soil with a layer of 6-7 cm, sowing seeds to a depth of no more than 5 cm, with a distance between seeds of no more than 2 cm;
• Covering the planting container with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect: this way the seeds will germinate faster;
• Putting the box in a warm and dark place (for example, in the firebox of a furnace room).

The first shoots will appear in about a week. After this has happened, the film is removed and the young animals are transferred to a well-lit place, with a slightly lower daytime temperature (+ 18-20). Light must be supplied at least 14 hours a day. The lack of lighting is compensated by lamps.

Young seedlings grow quickly. Young tender leaves appear in a couple of weeks. As soon as you notice this, immediately carry out the picking procedure.

Important : picking is a mandatory procedure that allows seedlings to develop faster and receive more light. Seedlings are planted in new separate containers, together with a lump of earth, or planted in new soil.

Caring for seedlings is not difficult, you just need to timely water the roots with warm water at room temperature, feed them twice with liquid organic matter and harden the seedlings two weeks before planting in the ground or greenhouse.

Trimming

A young bush definitely needs pruning of its shoots and leaves. Stepping is necessary when forming a bush. If this is not done, the plant will grow greatly and will spend all the substances only on greens. The fruits will be small and tasteless. Form a bush with a maximum of 3 stems, leaving one stepson under the first flower cluster. The rest are broken out or trimmed with pruning shears as they appear. New stepsons are pruned when they grow to 4-5 cm.

Ovary pruning is also required periodically. To make the fruits more juicy and have a normal weight, excess ovaries are removed. There should not be more than 8 inflorescences on the bush: the variety will not bear more. Pruning is carried out before flowering begins. And so that the plant can breathe better and receive continuous access to light, the lower leaves are also removed.

Watering

Oxheart is a high-yielding, indeterminate variety with a powerful root system, so it continuously requires large amounts of water. Even if watering is infrequent, only once every 3 days. If the weather is cloudy and rainy, watering is carried out once a week. Water for irrigation should only be warm. Cold will cause root rot. The plant is watered at the root, in the evening or morning (before the active sun).

Important: as soon as the tomato fruits begin to fill, the watering is removed. By continuing to water the plant, you risk over-moistening the soil and cracking the berries.

Care

Caring for the crop consists of regular watering, periodic fertilizing with organic matter and other complex fertilizers; weeding and loosening; elimination of weeds and pests, as well as prevention to protect against diseases and harmful insects. In greenhouse conditions, tomatoes are cared for in the same way and regularly ventilated with a draft wind.

Further care

Bush formation

Since Oxheart has a powerful and spreading bush, it is necessary to prun the bush once a week.
The plant is formed in such a way that 2 main stems remain. The remaining side shoots are removed. It is also necessary to remove all sprouts that form in the axils of the plants. No more than 8 brushes should be left on one stem. If you don't do this, the tomatoes will grow small and tasteless.

Top dressing

Plants grow with an abundance of green mass and a well-developed root system. Also, due to the presence of a large number of large fruits, the bushes need fertilizing. It is carried out up to 3-4 times during the entire growing season.

For the first time, fertilizers are applied 3 weeks after planting the plants in the ground. You can use organic matter or a solution of wood ash, a kilogram of which is diluted in 10 liters of water.

The second time, it is recommended to water with a solution of wood ash.

For the third time, the bushes are fed with potassium fertilizers. They will have a positive effect on the development of fruits, giving them a rich taste and pleasant aroma. Also, potash fertilizers will extend the storage time of the crop.

Watering

Water the plants often and with plenty of water. If the summer is dry, watering is carried out every day in the morning or evening. You cannot water tomatoes during the day. The green mass of the plant may burn and it will die.

Use only settled water. She shouldn't be cold. The soil is moistened only at the root. Otherwise, the bushes may become infected with fungal diseases.

Planting seedlings in a permanent place

When 6 or 8 leaves appear on the stems of the seedlings, begin replanting to a permanent location. This can be open ground or a greenhouse. The soil should be dug up and fertilized in the fall. And before transplantation, it is disinfected and moistened.

The seedlings are transplanted from a separate container along with a lump of earth. Oxheart is an indeterminate variety that grows strongly. Therefore, the density per square meter should not be large: no more than 4 plants. Planting scheme - 50*70 cm. As soon as the seedlings are planted, they are watered well, mulch is placed on the soil, and the plants are tied up.

Transplant timing

Seedlings are planted when they have reached the age of 35-40 days.

Selecting a location

This variety is grown in open beds only if you live in a warm region. If you live in the north or central Russia, grow ox heart in greenhouse conditions.

Growing rules

Agricultural technology is based on several rules. They must be strictly observed, especially since the ox heart variety is capricious. Thanks to strict adherence to the growing rules, the bush will not get sick, and the fruits will delight you with excellent taste. The rules are:

• Regular watering every 3 days;
• Loosening the soil immediately after watering (for continuous access of oxygen);
• Mulching the soil immediately after planting in open ground (to prevent moisture evaporation and protect against fungal diseases);
• Fertilizing every 3-4 weeks: with mullein infusion and phosphorus mixed with wood ash;
• Regular weeding so that the plant receives more light and oxygen;
• Protecting plants from pests. Healthy bushes will not turn yellow or wither, and the fruits will ripen on time.

For reference: phosphorus improves the root system. Mullein is liquid fermented cow dung. Not to be confused with slurry!

Breeding and cultivation regions

A new tomato variety was developed by Russian breeders at the end of the last century. After lengthy tests, in 2000 the new vegetable crop was included in state registers with a recommendation for cultivation in any climatic zone. In the southern regions, the crop has time to ripen in open ground conditions; for latitudes with cold climates, it is recommended to grow tomatoes of this variety in greenhouse conditions.

Important! Oxheart tomatoes are an original variety of vegetable crop, which allows you to grow tomatoes from independently collected seeds.

Diseases and pests

The ox heart variety has good immunity to most diseases. But sometimes when the soil dries out it suffers from blossom end rot. And if the soil is too wet, the plant suffers from late blight. Pests of ox heart are the same as those of other varieties: Colorado potato beetle, slugs, aphids, mole crickets and other insects.

Disease and pest control

Of course, it is desirable to prevent the development of diseases, but it is impossible to foresee everything. Bushes affected by late blight are pulled out and burned. The fruits become tasteless and unsuitable for food; they must be destroyed. Blossom end rot is treated with moderate watering. How to get rid of pests:

• Colorado potato beetle: preparation “Taboo”, squeezing eggs or removing leaves affected by eggs, collecting beetles and larvae by hand;
• Slugs: broken eggshells;
• Aphids: soap solution, glue baits;
• Mole cricket and other insects: baits with poison or treatment with insecticides.

Prevention

The best protection against everything is preventive measures. In order to prevent most diseases, the bush is watered with warm water: this protects the roots from stress and rotting. Young inflorescences are treated with Bordeaux mixture. Calcium nitrate and the drug Fitosporin are also used. To prevent fungal infection, observe crop rotation.

Attention: the rule of crop rotation is when a crop is not planted in the same place for several years in a row, due to the gradual accumulation of harmful microorganisms in the soil.

If the leaves on the trunks begin to turn yellow

If there is yellowness on the foliage, do not panic: perhaps the leaves simply do not have enough moisture in the roots. What needs to be done: maintain the watering schedule and remove yellowed leaves. For prevention, a plastic bottle is placed next to the hole, with the bottom cut off upwards. Watering is carried out in these containers under the root, which promotes deeper penetration of moisture to the roots.

If the leaves curl

They often see the following picture on tomatoes: the plant itself is fine, but some of the leaves are curled into a tube. The reason for this is improper watering, when the plant is watered haphazardly and at the wrong time - day. Because of this, moisture gets on the leaves, and the sun provokes burns.

Nuances of cultivation

Oxheart is a tomato variety that can be easily grown in greenhouse conditions. So why do many gardeners refuse it? It's all about growth. The fact is that this parameter is not limited for the bush.

During cultivation, a tomato needs picking. It is necessary to monitor its growth all the time in order to form a good crown by tying it up. This process is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. It happens that 2-3 large fruits ripen on one crop, the rest dry out.

Good crop yield depends not only on proper picking, but also on fertilizing. Every gardener wants all the brushes to ripen and to have as many of them as possible. The stages of growing this tomato are different, so to get a high-quality harvest, you need to know a few secrets.

Photo

Below you can see a photo of an ox heart: from seeds to ripe fruits:

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Young seedlings in a box

Picking

Landing in the ground

Young bush with green fruits and a garter

Tomatoes on the bushes

Ripe fruits on the bushes

Ripe fruits in section

Review from a gardener

Victor Nikolaevich, Syzran

I bought the seeds called “Ox Heart” a long time ago, but I only got around to them this year. I sowed the seedlings in early March and planted them in the greenhouse in early May (all my tomatoes grow in the greenhouse). The bushes grew up to one and a half meters, I formed them into two stems. I didn’t pick off the ovaries; there were only a few of them anyway – 5-6 per bush. Perhaps I overdid it with fertilizers, since the tomatoes themselves were not very large - the largest were up to 350 grams. But they tasted wonderful! The pulp is sugary, there are few seeds, very juicy and aromatic. The shape of the tomatoes actually resembled a heart. I collected seeds from my harvest, and in a year I will grow the Heart again.

How to grow seedlings

“Oxheart,” like all tomatoes, grows well in light, fertile soil consisting of humus, peat and sand. The beds should be located in a sunny area without wind.

Preparing for landing

Before planting tomatoes in open ground or in greenhouses, seedlings are first grown. Seeds can be bought in the store, but experienced vegetable growers advise saving them from the previous harvest.

When choosing seeds from suppliers, pay attention to the integrity of the packaging and expiration date. Discard small seeds immediately. Healthy, strong plants will only grow from large, whole seeds.

Reference . On the market you can find seeds ready for planting. They have already been treated with disinfectants and growth stimulating agents.

If you decide to prepare the planting material yourself, follow the instructions:

1. Two to four weeks before sowing, test for germination. To do this, wrap several seeds in a wet cloth and soak them in warm water for a day. Leave the seeds uncovered on a damp cloth for three to four days. Then they can be sown.
2. Planting material should be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate (1%), “Fitosporin” or another product. Dip the seeds wrapped in gauze into the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with clean water. If you use potassium permanganate, then take 1 g of the substance per 1 liter of water. When using other disinfectants, follow the instructions on the package.
3. In order to increase disease resistance and germination of tomatoes, treat the seeds with regular wood ash or ready-made microelements. For 250 g of water, use one teaspoon of ash. Insist for one day. Then soak the seeds for 3-4 days. Afterwards they should be rinsed. In order for the seeds to germinate better, a day before planting, place them on a damp cloth and leave them in a warm place.

Oxheart tomatoes are sown two months before planting under film, in a greenhouse or open ground - in the first ten days of March.

Care

Planting material is sown in moist soil to a depth of 2-2.5 cm and placed in a warm, sunny place. The temperature should be maintained around 20–22 °C. The box with seedlings can be covered with film, so the tomatoes will sprout faster. When the second leaf appears, the seedlings are planted in separate containers with nutrient soil.

Before planting in the ground, seedlings are hardened off. In 10-12 days it is taken out into the fresh air. First, the plants are left for a couple of hours, gradually increasing this time to 12 hours. If there is no frost, the seedlings can be taken out into the fresh air overnight in the last days before planting.

Reference . Tomatoes can be transplanted into a greenhouse in April, into a greenhouse under film - in early May. In the second or third decade of May it can be transplanted into open ground. In general, one should focus on the climatic features of the region.

Harvesting and application

The very first and, as a rule, the largest fruits of the “Ox Heart” variety tomatoes ripen in early August. The harvest ends in mid-late September, depending on climatic conditions.

If the weather has already turned bad and there are still unripe tomatoes on the branches, it is better to pick them. They will do well on a sunny windowsill. Tomatoes of this variety can be stored in the cellar or refrigerator, as they rarely crack.

It is this feature that farmers value very much: tomatoes are stored for a relatively long time and tolerate transportation well.

Due to its large size, this tomato variety is not suitable for pickling. It is more suitable for soup dressings and salads. They give a wonderful taste and aroma in sauces, pastes, juices, and cocktails. From one kilogram of fruit you can get up to 800-900 ml of tomato juice.

Look at the photo to see what a ripe Ox Heart tomato looks like.