With the onset of the summer season, owners of land plots will once again have to decide what varieties of fruit and vegetable crops to fill the beds on their plot. Summer residents looking for an unpretentious and at the same time productive variety of pink tomatoes can be recommended to pay attention to the hybrid tomato Pink Bush F1. Reviews and photos of a bush of this excellent early ripening variety are often found today on the forums of farmers or summer residents. Here you can find a lot of debate about the disadvantages and advantages of growing this variety in a summer cottage.
Description of the variety
Scientists claim that eating pink tomatoes reduces the risk of cancer formation and development, and also improves the functioning of the immune and cardiovascular systems, and helps fight depression. Tomato Pink Bush F1, reviews, photos of the bush and quality properties of which are given in this article, is a representative of hybrids with pink fruits, having the following characteristics:
• Hybrid variety of Japanese selection (producer SAKATA).
• Early ripening: full ripening of the first fruits of this variety occurs within 90-100 days after the formation of seedlings.
• Short.
• Determinate type of growth.
• Standard.
• Is immune to common flora diseases.
• The variety has performed well under conditions of changes in soil moisture, tolerates summer heat without any problems, leaves, and fruits are not susceptible to sunburn.
What should an adult tomato bush of the Pink Bush F1 variety look like? Description given by the supplier-manufacturer: low-growing, densely leafy bush up to 50 cm high, with medium-sized fruits of a rounded regular shape. The color of ripe tomatoes is deep pink.
The tomato is recommended for greenhouse cultivation and for planting in open ground. The manufacturer's recommended number of plants per 1 m2 is 4-6 bushes.
Diseases and pests
The hybrid is resistant to most viral and fungal diseases of tomatoes. If you follow the rules of agricultural technology - timely watering, ventilating greenhouses, loosening the soil, the plants do not get sick and do not need additional treatments with chemicals.
They prefer to fight the main pests - slugs and ticks - with folk remedies - infusion of hot pepper, mustard, wood ash, watering with a solution of laundry soap.
Colorado potato beetles and slugs are collected by hand without using chemicals.
Bush dimensions
Today, low-growing varieties of tomatoes are the most common inhabitants of summer cottages. This is due to their unpretentiousness and ability to withstand hot summer weather, especially in the regions of southern Russia. Despite the fact that such varietal shrubs can boast of truly large fruits quite rarely, low-growing tomatoes often have good or high yields. This also includes Pink Bush.
It is worth noting another important quality of this variety. According to the manufacturer's description, the Pink Bush tomato is a determinate hybrid. Professional vegetable farmers certainly know what this characteristic means on the packaging. Those who hear this term for the first time will probably be interested to know that this means that the variety is limited in growth by its own flower cluster. The shoot of such tomatoes grows until a fruitful ovary appears at its top. The flowering shoot no longer grows; further development of the tomato bush occurs from the most viable stepson, making determinate varieties a real boon for small greenhouses or a summer cottage of six acres. This type includes the Pink Bush F1 tomato. The height of the bush depends on whether these tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse or whether the tomato is planted directly on the site. Greenhouse bushes can reach 70-75 cm in height. Tomatoes in open ground grow no more than 30-35 cm.
Features of tomato agricultural technology
To obtain a guaranteed yield of Pink Bush tomatoes, first of all, you need to make sure that the seeds really come from the Japanese manufacturer. This manufacturer sells seeds that have undergone pre-sowing treatment, so there is no need to soak them in disinfecting solutions and stimulants.
The land for growing seedlings is prepared in the fall. Sod or garden soil is mixed with compost and ash. If the garden soil is heavy and dense, peat or sand is added to it.
If you use garden soil, take it from the beds where cabbage or onions were previously grown, and in no case from the beds after potatoes and tomatoes.
To disinfect the soil, you can pre-calcinate it in the oven or freeze it by placing it outside.
The soil for seedlings should have a light, breathable structure. The timing of sowing depends on the time of planting the plants in the ground or greenhouse. The age of seedlings at the time of planting is usually 40–50 days. Tomatoes should not be allowed to be overgrown, with flowers or even with ovaries. In this case, you can get several early fruits, but in this case you cannot expect a good harvest.
You may be interested in: Growing tomatoes using I.M.’s method. Maslova
The seeds are sown in well-moistened soil, the distance between them should be at least 2 cm and covered with a small layer of earth (about 5 mm), slightly compacting on top. The box with the sown seeds is covered with dense material, creating a small greenhouse, and put away in a warm (22-25 degrees) place.
You cannot miss the moment of emergence of seedlings, as tender sprouts can stretch out, which will negatively affect the quality of the seedlings.
Further care consists of observing temperature and light conditions. The temperature in the room for the first days after emergence is maintained at 12-13 degrees at night, 15-16 degrees during the day, with maximum illumination for at least 10 hours a day. After 7-10 days, the temperature can be increased by 5 degrees. This regime will help harden the seedlings and at the same time prevent them from overgrowing.
After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the plants are planted in separate containers or a box of larger volume, while increasing the distance between them to 20 - 25 cm.
The seedlings are watered very moderately throughout this period; the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers for seedlings is carried out a week later.
The timing of planting seedlings is determined by each vegetable grower depending on the weather conditions of the region. If in the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine they prefer to plant the variety in beds - in open ground, then in areas with cooler summers, most summer residents use Pink Bush tomatoes for growing in a greenhouse.
The soil for planting plants in beds and greenhouses is prepared in advance, in the fall it is limed, and green manure is sown. The holes for tomatoes are placed at a distance of 40-50 cm from one another, compost, mineral fertilizers, ash are added to them, and they are watered. After this, the seedlings are planted and shaded, if the day is sunny, with auxiliary materials.
Subsequent care, both in open ground and protected ground, includes:
- Watering at the root.
- Fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizer (3-4 times).
- Loosening and weeding.
- Fertilizing with green fertilizer (infusion of rotted grass with mullein, diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10).
- Control over the appearance of plants.
Fertilizing should be done after heavy watering or rain.
If you are using a greenhouse to grow a hybrid, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Tomato does not tolerate high air humidity. Therefore, watering is carried out either at the root, using special containers, or using a device for drip irrigation.
- Mulching provides a good effect for maintaining high soil moisture without increasing air humidity. You can use old cardboard, grass clippings or other auxiliary materials as mulch, which will also prevent weeds from growing. Mown grass, among other things, not only covers the soil, but decomposes over time and feeds plants with nitrogen.
- Use devices for ventilating the greenhouse - vents, doors, and it is advisable to avoid drafts.
- Despite the small size of the hybrid in the greenhouse (about 75cm), the bush needs to be tied to trellises, since the plant can simply break under the weight of the fruit.
The greenhouse provides plants with more comfortable growing conditions, so the tomatoes here are not only taller and leafier, but also correspondingly more productive. In this case, a large amount of nutrients is removed from the soil.
By observing plants, you can understand what nutrients they need:
- If old leaves turn yellow and new ones curl, the plant does not have enough potassium.
- The plant becomes elongated, the leaves turn yellow, and growth slows down due to a lack of nitrogen.
- Sulfur deficiency manifests itself with symptoms similar to nitrogen starvation, but young leaves turn yellow.
- With a phosphorus deficiency, the leaves acquire a purple tint and curl inward.
- If there is a lack of copper in the soil, the leaves curl into tubes, the plant drops flowers and does not form ovaries.
- If the tips of the fruits turn brown and the tomatoes gradually dry out and the plants stop growing, this is a calcium deficiency.
Measures to combat these problems are feeding with appropriate microelements, which are available on the market in sufficient quantities.
We must also not forget about foliar feeding, especially during flowering of tomatoes. Spraying plants with a solution of boric acid will increase the number of ovaries.
The hybrid has been attracting summer residents for several years with its unpretentiousness and high yield of beautiful pink fruits in the southern regions and central zone of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
It is planted for use both for personal and commercial purposes - beautiful and tasty fruits always attract buyers and are in demand on the market.
Characteristics and description of fruits
If we talk about the advantages of pink tomato varieties in general, then their pulp is not only more tender than that of their red “colleagues”, but also rich in B vitamins, carotene, and lycopene. What do they say about the fruits that the Pink Bush F1 tomato produces with proper care, reviews? The photos of the bush presented in this article give a fairly clear idea of the appearance of ripe tomatoes of this variety:
• On one shoot there is one fruiting cluster, on each of which a bunch of medium-sized tomatoes ripen.
• A ripe Pink Bush tomato acquires an even and bright pink color. The surface of the fruit is glossy, without spots or inclusions.
• The shape of the very first tomatoes harvested from the plant is more flattened than that of subsequent tomato crops.
• Tomato pulp is juicy, fleshy, without hard veins. The dry matter content of one tomato does not exceed 7%.
• Ripe tomatoes of this variety are not prone to cracking. The collected fruits are characterized by increased shelf life and are suitable for fresh storage and transportation.
The Pink Bush tomato is ideal for fresh consumption, as an ingredient for salads, and fresh vegetable juice. Does not lose good taste properties during heat treatment, suitable for use in dried form. Can be used to prepare preserves in the form of sauces and lecho.
Harvesting and application
Fruit ripening begins in July and, due to extended fruiting, lasts for 2-3 weeks. Vegetables ripen together, in whole clusters.
It is a salad variety, so it is primarily consumed fresh. Fresh salads are especially good, but tomatoes are also used in baking, vegetable dishes and first courses.
It is used extremely rarely for pickles and marinades, since the taste is not preserved during heat treatment. But the tomato paste turns out first-class, only paler than usual. Small tomatoes are used for whole-fruit canning and do not lose their taste when dried.
Vegetables can be stored for a long time and can be easily transported over any distance. They have an attractive presentation that goes well with excellent taste. Thanks to this, the variety does not linger on the shelves, increasing consumer demand every year. Many farmers breed it for subsequent sale in markets.
In what climatic conditions can Pink Bush be grown in open ground?
Despite the fact that this variety is recommended for planting in open ground, it is worth noting that not every regional forum gives enthusiastic feedback about the yield and taste that the Pink Bush F1 tomato has. Reviews and photos of a bush with beautiful fruits ripened in open ground are most often left by summer residents from the central or southern regions of Russia. It is in such climatic conditions that this variety bears fruit well, and all the tomatoes have time to ripen during the summer.
As for the regions located in the northern part of the country, it is necessary to grow the Pink Bush variety in a short summer in a greenhouse.
general information
Pink Unique tomatoes are in great demand among buyers, and therefore farmers and large farms have given them preference. They are also perfect for growing in the country.
The tomato is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation “for growing under film covers on private farms.”
- The variety belongs to the indeterminate type and grows up to two meters.
- Mid-season hybrid F1.
- From seed germination to the first fruit, 110–120 days pass.
- High yields: 5–6 kg can be harvested from one bush. It all depends on the growing region.
- The racemes are small, but form up to six flower branches on the stem.
- Universal purpose. They are good fresh and canned.
- Medium-sized fruits set well, from 5 to 7 pieces per branch, if you provide care.
- For planting in greenhouses or film shelters.
Germination, seedling preparation
Seeds for seedlings should be sown approximately 50 days before transplanting into open ground conditions. The seed material does not need to be pre-soaked. The method of germination and preparation of seedlings offered by the manufacturer consists of the following steps:
• Seed material is sown evenly in boxes with slightly compacted soil, and a thin layer of soil or peat is sprinkled on top.
• Next, the seeds should be carefully watered (it is best to use a strainer) and covered with garden film.
• The box with future seedlings is placed in temperature conditions for germination (at least 25-26 ˚C) until the first shoots appear.
• The film should be removed after the seeds have sprouted. After this, the boxes with seedlings are moved to a well-lit, cool place (about 15 ˚C), where they are kept for a week. After this period, the seedlings should be kept at an air temperature of about 20-23 °C.
• When 1-2 pairs of true foliage appear on the tomatoes, the seedlings should be pricked. During this growth period, it is recommended to fertilize tomatoes with organic or mineral fertilizers.
• At the age of 45-50 days, the tomato can be planted in the ground.
How to grow seedlings
Sowing begins 35-45 days before planting seedlings in open ground. The grains do not need to be processed or disinfected; the manufacturer took care of everything himself.
It is advisable to prepare the soil mixture in the fall. A little peat, humus and wood ash are added to the garden soil. All components are thoroughly mixed. To destroy pathogenic microflora, the prepared mixture is disinfected with a hot solution of dark potassium permanganate.
Reference . Wood ash is not only a source of potassium, but also a preventative against fungal diseases.
They are sown in a common wooden box, in individual peat pots or plastic cups. Before sowing, the soil is slightly moistened and compacted. The grains are carefully laid out on the soil surface at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other and sprinkled with a 1 cm layer of soil.
The crops are watered with warm water and covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect. Before germination, the seed does not need lighting; it only needs light moisture. The containers are left in a room where the air temperature is at least 24°C.
Shoots appear in 4-5 days. At this point, the containers are transferred to a well-lit place where the air temperature during the day is no more than 16°C, and at night – 12-13°C. This technique helps to harden young seedlings. In this mode, the seedlings are kept for 1 week, and then the temperature is raised to 21°C.
Optimal daylight hours are at least 10 hours. If there is a lack of natural light, additional lighting is provided with fluorescent lamps.
When 2 true leaves appear, pick them. During picking, the sprouts are placed in separate containers, but there is no need to place the individual containers too tightly. The seedlings will shade each other and stretch upward towards the light. This can lead to improper formation of the stem; it will become thin and long and subsequently cannot support the mass of fruit.
Water the seedlings as the top layer of soil dries with heated and settled water with the addition of a small amount of citric acid to soften.
Reference . When growing seedlings, remember that three factors are most important for it: humidity level, temperature and lighting.
A month later, the seedlings are hardened off. Start with 2-3 hours of seedlings being outdoors in the shade. Gradually the time is increased to 8 hours. In the last 2 days before planting in the ground, the seedlings are left outside overnight.
Features of cultivation and care
Unlike the painstaking work that the Pink Bush F1 tomato requires at the germination stage, caring for an adult bush in a greenhouse or on a summer cottage does not require much effort.
• Watering and fertilizing tomatoes is not much different from similar care for other varieties. The irrigation regime in open ground should be determined based on climatic conditions. Conventional complex mineral fertilizers for tomatoes are suitable for feeding.
• When planting tomatoes for open ground, it is recommended to first add well-rotted manure and (or) a complex of mineral fertilizers for tomatoes to the ground.
• As a rule, most determinate varieties are recommended to be staked. Despite being classified as a low-growing variety, Pink Bush is often preferred to be tied in open ground due to its high yield on the flower cluster. In greenhouse conditions, Pink Bush will grow best on trellises.
• Low-growing tomatoes, which include the Pink Bush hybrid, do not need constant pinching (removing excess shoots), which is a clear advantage when growing a large number of plants of this variety. It is recommended to carry out this procedure in regions with a short summer period, otherwise, if there are too many lateral shoots, not all the fruits will have time to ripen.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let us list the positive properties thanks to which culture occupies a leading position in the markets of many countries:
- ease of care;
- disease resistance;
- high fruiting rate;
- adaptation to hot climates;
- survival rate in all regions;
- does not require mandatory garter;
- does not require pinching;
- decorativeness of bushes;
- excellent taste and benefits of fruits;
- presentable appearance;
- the fruits do not crack;
- long storage and long transportation;
- high consumer demand;
- Suitable for growing for sale.
Negative properties include:
- high price of seeds (do not forget that the variety is a hybrid, and you will not be able to select grains for the next planting yourself);
- more complex seedling care compared to other varieties;
- the effect of high humidity on the taste of vegetables.
Pros and cons of the variety: what do summer residents talk about?
The best way to tell about the “Japanese guest” is the reviews of people who are already growing Pink Bush F1 tomatoes in their summer cottage. The advantages and disadvantages of the variety from Japanese breeders differ little from those stated in the characteristics of the suppliers.
• The Pink Bush variety has a high yield: the bushes are practically covered with ripening fruits.
• High immunity to plant diseases.
• Good taste properties.
• The variety is equally well suited for open ground conditions and for greenhouses.
• Compact small bushes.
The disadvantages of this hybrid tomato are most often mentioned:
• Insufficiently bright color of sauces during preservation.
• The process of growing seedlings from seed is too complicated.
• High cost of seeds of this variety.
• Inability to produce seeds from ripened tomatoes.
Taste: reviews
As for specific reviews about the taste characteristics of this variety, it can be noted that many gardeners were satisfied with the delicate sweetish taste and the absence of coarse veins. However, it is worth recognizing that, despite the pleasant taste inherent in these pink tomatoes, many people rate the taste of the variety from Japan as a solid “4”. For comparison, well-known, more familiar pink tomatoes for open ground are often cited. For example, Bull's Heart, Wild Rose, Pink Giant and others.
Studying the reviews on the forums of farmers or summer residents, we can conclude that Pink Bush, which appeared on Russian plots in the early 2000s, managed to gain an excellent reputation among our compatriots. This variety from Japan is often recommended both as a garden crop for food and preservation, and for growing for sale. Owners of summer cottages who grow Pink Bush F1 for several years in a row note the consistently excellent quality of tomatoes, which every time delights summer residents with beautiful and juicy fruits.
