Content
Tomato Raspberry Elephant is a mid-early multi-purpose variety that is suitable both for fresh consumption and for canning for the winter. The variety is recommended for growing in open ground and greenhouses, and the yield indicators are approximately the same in both cases.
Detailed description of the variety
Tomatoes Raspberry elephant are classified as determinant varieties. This means that the fruiting and growth of plants is practically unlimited - the bushes continuously form young shoots, stretching on average up to 1.5 m in height, in the open field. In greenhouse conditions, the height of tomatoes can reach 2 m.
The shape of the leaves depends on the manufacturer. For example, from the seeds of the Aelita agricultural company, tomatoes are obtained, the leaf plate of which resembles a potato leaf in its appearance. Tomatoes with ordinary leaves grow from the planting material of the "Gavrish" company.
In one brush, from 5 to 7 tomatoes are formed. Since the fruits are quite heavy, the shoots can sag under them and even break. To prevent this from happening, usually 1-2 ovaries are removed, thereby lightening the total weight of the hand.
Description and taste of fruits
The name of the Raspberry Elephant tomato variety is based on the large size of the fruits of this variety. The weight of tomatoes varies on average from 300 to 600 g. Some reviews report that tomatoes can even grow in greenhouse conditions up to a record 800 g with proper care of the beds.
According to the description, the Raspberry Elephant tomatoes are rounded in shape, but slightly flattened on top, as seen in the photo below. The color of ripe fruits is red-crimson, saturated.
The skin of tomatoes is thin, barely perceptible. This feature allows tomatoes to safely tolerate low temperatures and ripen in low light conditions, however, such ease becomes a disadvantage if the variety is grown for sale - the fruits do not tolerate transportation over long distances, crumple, crack and retain their presentation for a short time. That is why they try to process the crop as quickly as possible, using tomatoes to make pastes, sauces and juices.
The soft structure of the fruit pulp and harmonious taste are especially noted - moderately sweet, sugary, without pronounced sourness. Each fruit contains 6 to 8 chambers.
Characteristics of Tomatoes Raspberry Elephant
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are classified as mid-ripening species - its fruits fully ripen in 110-120 days from the moment of sowing seeds for seedlings. In regions with warm climates, tomatoes are planted in open ground, while in the north of the country, planting in greenhouses is preferable. It is also quite common to grow the variety under film shelters, since the large size of the bushes makes them vulnerable to strong winds. The yield of tomatoes Raspberry elephant is 5-6.5 kg per bush. If you regularly feed the plantings, this figure can be increased to 7 kg of fruits per plant.
The Raspberry Elephant tomato is resistant to most tomato diseases, however, this does not mean that the bushes do not need to be treated against fungus and other infections.Top rot is especially dangerous for the variety. The early introduction of lime flour into the soil helps to reduce the risk of disease. Tomatoes are also sprayed with fungicides for preventive purposes.
The Raspberry Elephant variety rarely attracts pests. If the beds are damaged by insects, the tomatoes are treated with any non-toxic insecticide.
Pros and cons of the variety
Based on the numerous reviews of summer residents, the following advantages of Raspberry Elephant tomatoes can be distinguished:
- resistance of the variety to most diseases of tomatoes;
- high yield rates;
- attractive appearance;
- pleasant sugary taste of the fruit;
- resistance to long periods of heat;
- immunity to light deficiency;
- simultaneous ripening of fruits.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- poor transportability due to the fact that the skin is too thin;
- low frost resistance;
- the need for quick processing of the crop - the fruits are not stored for a long time;
- exactingness to the regularity of watering;
- vulnerability to sudden changes in temperature.
Planting and care rules
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are grown throughout Russia, however, there are rather stringent requirements regarding planting features. Tomatoes can be planted in open ground only in the south of the country, while in the Northern regions and in the middle lane, cultivation of the variety is possible only in greenhouses and greenhouses by the seedling method. These designs are not available in every household, so the variety is not so widespread, despite all its positive qualities.
Growing seedlings
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are grown mainly through seedlings. This is done according to the following scheme:
- The first step is to prepare the seedling container. For this, special plastic containers or wooden boxes are used. They are removed to a warm, dry place.
- Next, you need to prepare a soil mixture from fertile soil and humus. If desired, seedling soil can be purchased at a gardening store.
- The soil is poured into containers and several furrows are formed on the soil surface with a depth of no more than 2 cm.The distance between the rows is 2-3 cm.
- Seeds are sown at the bottom of the resulting furrow, after which they are lightly sprinkled with earth.
- Then the planting material is watered moderately so as not to wash it off.
- The container is covered with glass or plastic wrap to increase the air humidity inside.
- When the first shoots appear, which happens about a week after sowing the seeds, the shelter is removed.
- With the formation of 3 full-fledged leaves, tomatoes dive into separate containers. This must be done before the seedlings form a developed root system.
- Before planting tomatoes in open ground, they must be hardened without fail. To do this, the container with seedlings begins to be taken out into the street, gradually increasing the time the tomatoes are in the fresh air.
Before transplanting into open ground, the planting material is watered daily. Top dressing is carried out no more than 2 times a month, and only solutions can be used. Dry fertilizers cannot be applied.
Transplanting seedlings
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are transplanted into open ground when a stable temperature is established on the street and the threat of return frosts has passed. The procedure for planting tomatoes is as follows:
- Dig holes about 20-25 cm deep, focusing on the size of the root system of the seedlings.
- Rotted manure or humus is poured into the bottom of the holes.
- After that, the containers with tomatoes are dipped in the mullein solution. When the earthen clod is saturated with fertilizer, the seedling is removed from the container and placed in the hole.
- Tomatoes are lightly sprinkled with earth and watered sparingly. The top layer of soil is not compacted strongly and watered again.
Tomato care
Caring for tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety provides basic procedures:
- timely loosening of the soil;
- weeding;
- regular watering;
- fertilization of plantings.
Form the bushes into one stem, otherwise the tomatoes will turn out to be smallish. To do this, you must carefully monitor the new stepsons and remove them in time. Otherwise, all the forces of the plant will go to intensive shoots and a set of green mass.
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are moisture-loving plants, therefore, the beds are watered often, at least 1 time in 5 days. In this case, tomatoes should not be poured so as not to cause stagnation of moisture in the soil. Excess water in the soil provokes the development of late blight. If the variety is grown in a greenhouse, then it must be regularly ventilated, otherwise the air humidity will become excessive, which will not benefit the plantings.
The tomato responds well to fertilizing. Fertilizers are applied at intervals of 10-12 days, and it is better to use organic fertilizers. For these purposes, a manure solution is suitable - 1 bucket of fertilizer per 100 liters of water. For each bush of tomatoes, 2 to 3 liters of solution are consumed. In early July, nitrogen fertilization is limited.
Conclusion
Tomato Raspberry Elephant is one of the best varieties of salad orientation. It is relatively unpretentious in care and is resistant to many diseases, however, in most of the country it can be grown only in greenhouses, which are not available to every summer resident. This limitation leaves an imprint on the prevalence of the variety in Russia.
In addition, you can find out about the appearance and weight of the Raspberry Elephant tomatoes from the video below:
