Tomato Cardinal is a variety with large, fleshy fruits with a pleasant taste, in a bright crimson robe. The tomato is cultivated universally: in greenhouses and in open areas, it practically does not get sick, and is tolerant of weather changes.
| Height | Landing location | Ripening time | Fruit color | Fruit size | Origin | Fruit shape |
| Medium height | Greenhouse, Open ground | Mid-early | Pink | Large | Variety | Heart-shaped |
Description and characteristics of the variety
The Cardinal tomato belongs to the line of mid-early hybrids, recommended for active cultivation in different conditions: in greenhouse structures and in open-air beds.
Fruiting begins 110–115 days after germination of seedlings. It occurs evenly, consistently, lasting from July until autumn frosts.
Features of the Cardinal tomato from the Siberian Garden company:
- indeterminate type of growth;
- precocity;
- versatility of cultivation;
- trunk height – 1.5–2 m;
- carpal type of fruiting;
- tying up to 10 tomatoes on 1 brush.
Tomatoes are distinguished by their commercial and taste properties, are well preserved during transportation and are stored for a long time before sale.
Description of fruits:
- average weight - 400–500 g
- , maximum weight - 0.9–1 kg;
- coloring: pink;
- shape - heart;
- ribbing - weak;
- sugary, non-watery pulp;
- few seed chambers;
- durable skin that does not crack;
- high level of sugars;
- the taste is classic, sweet and sour.
Tomatoes are suitable for rolling up juices, ketchups, and dressings. The fruits make amazing fresh salads and snacks. Tomatoes are covered with slices or added to assorted dishes, adjika, lecho.
Cardinal variety tomatoes: reviews from gardeners
Tomato Cardinal: photo of variety
The Cardinal tomato variety, based on reviews from gardeners, has many good qualities, thanks to which Cardinal tomatoes are very popular among gardeners throughout the country.
- The fruits have very good tasting scores. The fruits are fleshy inside and have a very beautiful appearance on the outside.
- The Cardinal tomato has a fairly strong immunity to major diseases and harmful insects.
- The seeds of these tomatoes usually germinate with one hundred percent probability.
- Tomato Cardinal can tolerate cold temperatures quite calmly.
- Tomatoes of this variety can be stored quite well without compromising their appearance.
- Such tomatoes do not tend to crack.
With all the above advantages, gardeners also note some disadvantages :
- Such large fruits are not suitable for pickling in their entirety due to their outstanding dimensions.
- Since the bush has a rather spreading shape, it is necessary to allocate quite a large space for planting.
- Cardinal tomatoes are large in size. Because of this, it is necessary to organize strong supports, to which stems and shoots with tassels need to be tied from time to time. This makes the process of caring for this variety a little more complicated.
- It is imperative that such plants be pinched in order for the bush to have a normal shape and yield.
All of the above disadvantages are not per se. These are rather care recommendations. But if you follow all these simple rules, you can achieve a truly decent yield of Cardinal tomato
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- early ripeness;
- endurance to temperature changes;
- cold resistance;
- productivity;
- prolonged fruiting;
- no tendency to crack;
- germination rate is not lower than 90–95%;
- complex immunity to tomato infections.
Minuses:
- impossibility of salting and canning entirely;
- the need for shaping and gartering;
- the importance of spacious planting (it is not advisable to thicken plantings).
Growing Cardinal tomatoes
Cardinal tomatoes: photo of variety
The Cardinal tomato variety shows the best results on light soil. It should be quite nutritious. You can prepare such soil yourself. To do this, you need to mix turf or garden soil and humus. The latter should be well rotted.
Do not neglect the rules of crop rotation. It is better to plant Cardinal tomatoes in areas where legumes, cucumbers, onions, carrots, and cabbage were previously grown. If the soil is not nutritious enough, you can additionally add wood ash and superphosphate.
As a rule, the time for sowing Cardinal tomato seeds for seedlings falls on the last days of March and the beginning of April.
First, it is necessary to disinfect the planting material; for this, a manganese solution is used. You need to keep Cardinal tomato seeds in it for about half an hour. After this time, the Cardinal tomato seeds should be rinsed with plain tap water. After this, leave them in the growth stimulator for eleven to twelve hours.
If you don’t want to buy a ready-made growth stimulator at a garden store, you can use fresh aloe juice, which must be diluted in warm water.
Then, when the seeds are ready for planting, they must be planted in a container filled with a nutrient substrate. The embedment depth is usually one and a half to two centimeters. Tomato seeds of the Cardinal variety can be immediately planted in peat pots. This way, when replanting, you will not damage the delicate root system of the plants. Planting them directly in such a container is safer than diving them.
After the Cardinal tomato seeds are sown, they need to be watered. It is best to use a spray bottle for this. Then cover the containers well with polyethylene and put them in a warm place. Now we just have to wait for the first tomato sprouts to appear.
How to properly transplant a Cardinal tomato into a greenhouse
Cardinal tomatoes: photo of variety
As for transplanting Cardinal tomatoes to a permanent habitat, it is done for different conditions at different times.
For example, Cardinal tomatoes are transplanted into an open area around the first week of June. And tomatoes are transferred to greenhouses and greenhouses two to three weeks earlier. Before planting the Cardinal tomato variety, add wood ash to each planting hole; one tablespoon per hole will be enough.
It is better to tie up Cardinal tomatoes immediately after you plant them. It is best to install a trellis for these purposes. You can attach stems to it, as well as branches with heavy tomatoes.
Remember that from time to time it is necessary to form tomato bushes. Periodically you need to remove the leaves located at the bottom of the plants. Side shoots are also usually removed. It is necessary to leave from one to two central shoots.
When the Cardinal tomato becomes tall enough, you need to pinch off the top. This way the plant will stop stretching upward.
As for watering, it should be moderate. To do this, the water must be settled and warm. It is necessary to apply nutritional supplements at least three times during the summer. You can use purchased complex fertilizers for this.
The Cardinal tomato variety shows excellent results both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. There are no special care requirements; agricultural technology is similar to other tomato varieties.
The Cardinal tomato variety is well suited for both personal and commercial cultivation. Indeed, thanks to the structure of the fruit, such tomatoes can retain their presentation for a long time, even during transportation.
Cardinal tomatoes: video about the variety
Landing
Cardinal tomato seeds are sown in a nutritious light substrate, which is purchased at an agricultural store or prepared independently. Important components of the mixture:
- turf land;
- compost;
- vermiculite;
- ash;
- humus;
- river sand.
Soil from beds where legumes, carrots, onions, and pumpkin crops grew is suitable. To increase the value of the composition per 10 kg of soil
- add 20 g of superphosphate
- and 8 g of potassium sulfate.
Planting begins from the third decade of March - the first half of April (dates are indicated for the middle zone). The seed material is first disinfected in 1% potassium permanganate (soaked for 20–30 minutes and washed). For better germination, the seeds are dipped into an activator for 10–12 hours>: Zircon, Agate, Epin.
You can prepare a homemade stimulant yourself: mix freshly squeezed aloe juice with water.
- pots and cups (0.15–0.2 l);
- drawers and containers (with a side of 8–10 cm);
- peat tablets.
The depth of immersion of seeds into the grooves is up to 1.5 cm. Sprinkle with a finely dispersed mixture on top and tamp down. Bushes in disposable containers may not be planted: seedlings are planted in the beds directly in the pots.
To ensure germination occurs faster, the crops are covered with film. Maintain temperature within 25–26 degrees.
Features of caring for seedlings:
- irrigation with settled water from a spray bottle;
- picking with two leaves;
- Feeding is carried out 2 times (before and after picking with an interval of 10 days before the procedure);
- additional lighting with phytolamps (day length - 15–16 hours);
- hardening 10–12 days before replanting.
Hardening begins with procedures lasting 20–30 minutes. After a week, the time is increased to 10–12 hours.
Farmer reviews
- Stepan Ilyich, Rostov region.
I have been growing the Cardinal variety for several years. I plant some of the seedlings in the greenhouse, the rest in open ground. Productivity is higher for those plants that develop under cover. But this method requires a lot of attention: creating a favorable microclimate, frequent garters, pinching. Productivity per m2 is 12-17 kg. Less demanding tomatoes growing in open ground. The bushes do not develop so rapidly, which reduces the regularity of garters. The risk of fungal infection is reduced to almost zero.
- Antonina Makarova, Voronezh
I tried Cardinal tomatoes for the first time. Previously, I did not dare to grow them because of their large fruit. It is unrealistic to seal such tomatoes in jars. But after the experience, I realized that I was wrong. The fruits are very tasty, suitable for salads and tomato juice. It’s simply impossible to get enough of them fresh. The pulp is tender, moderately dense without a green core.
- Platon, Tver region.
I grow vegetables for sale. The Cardinal tomato is in good demand among buyers. It sells itself: dense, but not thick-skinned tomatoes emit a pleasant aroma, the taste harmoniously combines acidity and sugariness. The fruits tolerate transportation well and retain their presentation for a long time.
Video review of the variety:
Growing and care
Planting in greenhouses or greenhouse beds is possible from the second ten days of May, in open areas - from the second week of June.
Pre-pour 1 tbsp into the wells. l. wood ash. Supports for fixation (trellises, posts) are installed nearby.
The formation of bushes is carried out mainly in 1 or 2 main trunks. At the same time, remove the lower leaves and shoots.
When the required height (1–1.5 m) is reached, the top is blinded: upward growth stops and intensive fruit formation begins.
Feeding is carried out 4 times per season:
- before flowering;
- during the formation of ovaries;
- at the stage of intensive fruiting;
- after the decline of ripening to stimulate fruit set.
Fertilizers include organic matter (bio-infusions of nettle, nettle, dandelion, mullein solutions), and minerals (nitroammophosphate, saltpeter, urea).
Complex formulations are effective
- Blank sheet
- Dobrivo
- Agricola
- Effect.
Pest control and disease prevention
The culture is considered very resistant to fungi and viruses. There is a risk of infection from other plants. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to adhere to the rules of crop rotation.
- Tomatoes can be planted after legumes, carrots, and cabbage.
- However, their predecessors should not be eggplants, potatoes or peppers.
When growing crops in a greenhouse, the top layer of soil should be changed every year and watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. You can also use copper sulfate.
For preventive purposes, the greenhouse must be periodically ventilated and weeds must be removed between the rows. A good method is to mulch the soil with straw and peat. Young plants should be sprayed with Fitosporin. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is also perfect.
Tomatoes can suffer from attacks by whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and slugs. In hot weather, tomatoes are often attacked by spider mites. If pests appear on the bushes, you need to take immediate action.
Every week you should carefully inspect the plants and look under the leaves. If there are cobwebs or sticky stains, they should be washed off with a damp cloth. After this, it is advisable to treat the culture with a solution of potassium permanganate.
To cope with slugs, you need to regularly spray your tomatoes with a solution of ammonia. A warm soapy solution will help deal with aphids. Insecticides are used to get rid of spider mites. They need to be applied 2-3 times with an interval of several days.
Important! You can use chemicals to treat bushes only before fruit formation begins. During the ripening period, toxic substances are prohibited.
Tomatoes suffer from various pests
Rules for harvesting and using crops
Ripe tomatoes are harvested in dry, warm weather. They are used for fresh consumption or for preparing various preparations. Slightly unripe fruits are selected for transportation. Their flesh and skin are denser, so they do not wrinkle or crack.
In the fall, green tomatoes remain after harvesting. They are laid out in a dark, dry place at a temperature of +20°C. After 2-3 weeks they ripen. After this, they are used for preparation or direct consumption.
