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Probably, not a single vegetable garden and not a single greenhouse can do without pink varieties of tomatoes. It is pink tomatoes that are considered the most delicious: the fruits have a sugary pulp, a very rich aroma and a sweet-honey taste with a slight sourness. These are salad varieties that are best eaten fresh. One of these tomatoes is the Pink Elephant variety, and, according to many gardeners, it is also considered the best.
Description of the variety of tomatoes Pink Elephant, photos and reviews of gardeners about this tomato can be found in this article. It also provides a detailed description of the Pink Elephant tomato, tells about how to plant it, and how best to care for it.
Description of the variety
Already by the name of this tomato, it becomes clear that its fruits are large and pink in color. This tomato was bred in Russia, so it is perfect for growing in local climatic conditions. You can plant a Pink Elephant tomato both in the ground and in a greenhouse or in a greenhouse. The culture is precisely varietal, and not hybrid, therefore it multiplies well by seeds.
More detailed characteristics and description of the Pink Elephant tomato variety:
- tomato belongs to varieties with medium early ripening - the crop can be harvested 112 days after germination;
- bushes of a determinant type, they grow in height up to 120-170 cm;
- many lateral shoots form on the plants, so the tomato needs to be pinned regularly;
- the Elephant bush is powerful enough, takes up a lot of space, has large leaves and thick shoots;
- leaves are large, rich green hue, their type is potato;
- flower clusters begin above the seventh leaf, then alternate through each pair of leaves;
- the shape of pink fruits is flat-round, slightly flattened;
- the mass of tomatoes is large - from 300 to 1000 grams;
- on each bush, from five to eight fruits can ripen;
- unripe tomatoes have a dark green spot near the stalk, ripe tomatoes of a rich raspberry-coral color;
- the peel of the fruit is shiny, very dense, not prone to cracking;
- tomato pulp Pink Elephant sugary, sweet and sour, juicy;
- fruits tolerate transportation well, do not deteriorate during storage;
- tomatoes of the Pink Elephant variety are resistant to the main "tomato" infections, such as late blight, fusarium, alternaria;
- not interested in tomato and pests - they rarely attack the bushes of this variety;
- the yield of the variety is average - from each bush you can remove from three to four kilograms of tomatoes;
- taking into account the size of the bush, it is recommended to plant no more than two plants per square meter.
The large, fleshy fruits of the Pink Elephant are perfect for making fresh salads, juices, sauces and purees. These tomatoes are very tasty fresh, besides, their pulp contains a lot of vitamins and microelements useful for the body. It is quite possible to use the harvest of this variety for the preparation of canned salads or other dishes, but in general it will not work to pickle tomatoes - they are too large.
About growing tomatoes
This is not to say that the Pink Elephant tomatoes are too capricious or too demanding, but, like all large-fruited tomatoes, they need some care.
But the variety is perfect for private farms and country gardens: the neighbors will surely envy, indeed, the "elephant" size of the crop.
Taking into account the experience of other gardeners, reading their reviews from the photo, you can make a certain algorithm of actions when growing varieties Pink Elephant:
- When buying seeds, be sure to read the instructions on the bag. They usually indicate the timing of planting and the most important stages of caring for tomatoes.
- The Pink Elephant is recommended to be planted for seedlings along with the rest of the early ripening tomatoes - that is, in March. The specific date of sowing seeds should depend on the climate in the region and the method of growing the tomato (greenhouse or soil).
- For seedlings, it is convenient to use special containers with sealed lids. The soil can be taken purchased, intended for tomatoes and bell peppers.
- The seeds are first soaked in a weak manganese solution. For planting, take only those that settle to the bottom of the container with the solution. These seeds must be rinsed under running water and planted in the ground.
- From above, tomato seeds are sprinkled with a centimeter layer of dry earth and the soil is irrigated from a spray bottle so as not to disturb the integrity of the plantings. The container is covered with a lid and sent to a very warm place (about 24-26 degrees).
- After a week, the tomato seedlings should sprout, then the lid is removed, and the container is placed in a cooler (20-22 degrees) and bright place.
- Watering tomatoes is necessary often, but only when the seedlings have enough sunlight. If there is little sun, watering is reduced or artificial lighting is used.
- When a pair of real leaves grows in pink tomatoes, they dive - they are seated in separate containers. At the same stage, the first feeding is performed. It is convenient to use a mineral complex dissolved in water.
- It is recommended to transfer tomatoes to a permanent place at such a time: at the end of April - when the greenhouse is heated, in mid-May - under a film or in an ordinary greenhouse, in early June - when planting in a garden.
- Planting scheme - no more than two bushes per square meter. A pink-fruited Elephant needs a lot of air and light, food from the soil may also not be enough with a denser planting of bushes. Before planting, you need to add a lot of organic matter and mineral fertilizers to the soil.
About proper care
Tomato Pink Elephant is not a variety that will delight with bountiful harvests. Best case scenario the gardener will remove 8-9 fruits from one bush, but the total weight of the crop will be 3-4 kilograms. To achieve such results, you have to work hard.
You need to take care of the Pink Elephant tomato like this:
- Due to a certain habit, the bushes form into one or two stems - the plant simply cannot withstand more ovaries and shoots.
- The gardener must remove the rest of the stepsons at the entire stage of tomato development. It is better to do this in the morning, on the eve of abundant watering of the beds.
- It is imperative to tie up the Elephant bushes. It is even better to use two wires for greater reliability. Not only the stem and shoots are tied up, but also the fruit brushes themselves, because the mass of the lower ones can reach 1.5 kg.
- You need to feed the Pink Elephant generously and often, otherwise it will not "pull" such a mass of tomatoes. In the first half of vegetative development, both organic and mineral supplements are used. After flowering, it is recommended to use only mineral complexes or individual substances. Tomato responds especially well to potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus.
- It is necessary to normalize not only the shoots, but also the number of flowers. On the first two brushes of the Elephant, it is recommended to leave 3-4 inflorescences, the third brush is also thinned out, leaving 4-6 flowers. Flowers are cut off at the bud stage until they open.
- The lower leaves of massive bushes also need to be cut off. One or two leaves are picked every week.It is impossible to remove more leaves, as the photosynthesis of plants will be disrupted. If the leaves are not touched at all, the risk of infection of the tomato with fungal infections will increase significantly.
- Water the Elephant abundantly and often using warm water. So that moisture evaporates less, the ground is covered with straw, sawdust or plucked grass.
- In order to prevent tomato infestation, they carry out preventive treatment of the bushes against the most common diseases and pests. Disinfection should be completed before the period of fruit formation.
You can store the harvested crop for several weeks. To do this, the tomatoes are laid out in clean, dry boxes and placed in a cool, dark place. If necessary, the crop can be transported to any distance - the fruits perfectly retain their shape and taste.
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Conclusion
The description given here suggests that the Pink Elephant is not a tomato for everyone. These tomatoes are not suitable for whole fruit canning, nor are they the best option for commercial cultivation. But the variety is great for private gardens and summer cottages, because among the tomatoes there are few of those that will turn out to be tastier and larger than the Elephant. True, to grow a good harvest of this pink tomato, the owner will have to work hard.
