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Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. Hundreds of different varieties of tomatoes are available to gardeners. Among their many varieties, there are some that stand out for their unique characteristics. One of them is the Black Heart of Breda tomato.
History of selection
The variety was developed by Californian breeder Brad Gates, in whose honor it received its name. The variety was first introduced in 2005 in the USA. The scientist bred the seeds of this variety from Black Crimea tomatoes at the beginning of the 21st century.
Description and characteristics of the tomato variety Black Heart of Breda
The Black Heart of Breda tomato is an indeterminate (tall) variety. The plant reaches a height of about 150-180 cm and requires staking and shaping to support the fruit. The stems are strong and heavily leafy. The leaves are dark green and large.The plant produces many side shoots, which requires timely removal of excess stems to maintain orderly growth. The flowers of the variety are usually small and bright yellow in color. They appear on side shoots and form simple inflorescences.
The fruits of the Black Heart of Breda tomato have an unusual shape and beautiful color. They are round, heart-shaped, and have a dark pink or purple-burgundy hue with a metallic sheen. They acquire such a dark color due to the content of the natural antioxidant anthocyanin, which has a beneficial effect on the health of internal organs and blood vessels if consumed systematically.
The tomato stalk has a small green spot, from which stripes continue until approximately the middle of the fruit.
Sometimes Brad's Black Heart grows in a shape similar to an apple. There is a slight ribbing on the surface. The sizes of the fruits vary from medium to large, and their weight can reach 300-500 g. Some specimens even grow up to 1 kg. The pulp of the fruit is very juicy and fleshy, has a sweet taste with a slight sourness.
Black Heart Breda tomatoes contain a small amount of seeds
Ripening time
The variety has a relatively long ripening period. Brad's black heart is considered mid-season. Usually, from the moment the first shoots appear until the fruit is completely ready, about 90-150 days pass. This should be taken into account when planning to grow this variety.
Tomato yield Black Heart Breda
One of the main advantages of this variety is its high yield. Under favorable growing conditions, one plant can produce up to 20 kilograms of tasty and large fruits.However, yields may vary depending on growing conditions, plant care and other factors.
Resistance to adverse factors
The Black Heart Breda tomato has good resistance to various diseases that can affect tomatoes (for example, fusarium, verticillium and some types of fungal infections). But it has virtually no immunity to blossom end rot. Like any other tomato variety, it can be susceptible to attack by pests such as aphids, spider mites and others.
Blackheart Breda shows good resistance to some adverse weather conditions, such as temperature changes and short-term droughts. Extreme weather conditions (prolonged droughts, heavy rains or winds) can negatively affect the plant and harvest.
Growing regions
Brad's Blackheart tomato can be grown in a variety of regions, but prefers warm climates with long periods of sunshine. It grows and develops well in the middle zone and southern regions. In areas with colder climates or a short summer season, Black Heart of Breda can be grown in heated greenhouses.
Purpose and application
Tomato fruits are excellent for fresh use and for various culinary dishes. Brad's black heart can be used to make sauces, soups, pastas, roasts and other dishes that require the rich flavor of a tomato. The fruits of this variety also retain their shape and texture well when cooked.
They can be used to prepare homemade tomato sauce, ketchup, adjika, tomato puree, lecho and other canned products. This tomato is not suitable for seaming in whole form or in slices.
The Black Heart of Breda variety is also a popular choice for commercial cultivation. Many vegetable growers grow it for sale.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the main positive qualities of the Black Heart of Breda tomato are its unique appearance, high yield and excellent taste.
With proper care, tomato bushes can bear fruit right up to the cold weather.
Pros:
- attractive appearance and taste;
- high productivity;
- resistance to most diseases and pests.
Minuses:
- requires support and garters;
- longer ripening period compared to some other varieties.
Subtleties of landing
Tomato seeds Black Heart Breda are recommended to be planted as seedlings 6-8 weeks before planting in open ground. For most climate zones, this period begins in late February or early March. Seedlings require good lighting for healthy growth. If natural light is not enough, you can use artificial lighting such as phytolamps.
After the first true leaves appear, it is recommended to transplant the tomato seedlings into separate pots or containers. When the seedlings reach a height of about 10-15 cm and strong stems appear, they can be fertilized with fertilizers to ensure sufficient nutrition for further growth.
Planting in open ground should be done after the threat of frost has ended and favorable conditions for plant growth have been created. The soil must be sufficiently warmed up. This usually happens in the spring, when night temperatures do not drop below 10-12 °C. Ideally, tomatoes are replanted from mid-May to early June.
The site should be in a sunny place and be fertilized with organic matter in advance. Neutral or slightly acidic, loose soil is best suited for tomatoes. The distance between Black Heart Breda plants should be approximately 45-60 cm to provide them with enough space to grow. Bushes need to be formed into 2 stems.
Carefully remove the seedlings from the containers, paying attention to preserving the root system. Transplant the seedlings into the soil to a depth sufficient to cover the roots and slightly below the level of the leaves. After transplanting, the seedlings are watered to ensure good soil contact with the roots.
Care instructions
Further care procedures include watering, fertilizing, tying and pinching tomatoes.
The soil should be kept moist, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. The optimal method of watering is at the roots of plants. Avoid watering leaves and stems to prevent the development of fungal diseases. It is usually recommended to moisturize Black Heart of Breda approximately once every 3-4 days, but this figure may vary depending on specific weather conditions.
Regular fertilizing will improve the yield and quality of fruits. You can fertilize at intervals of 2-3 weeks using fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium. This will support fruit production and overall plant health.
Indeterminate varieties, including Breda's Black Heart, require support.
Plants are tied up as they grow, especially during the period when they begin to form fruits.
Stepchildren (side shoots) are regularly removed to concentrate the plant’s energy on the main stems and fruiting. The main shoots and several strong shoots should be left if they do not interfere with growth and ventilation.
Disease and pest control
Common tomato diseases are late blight, powdery mildew and gray mold. To prevent them, waterlogging of the soil should be avoided. It is necessary to ensure good ventilation and not to water the leaves. If diseases do appear, special fungicidal preparations can be used.
Common pests of this tomato variety are whiteflies, aphids, mites and caterpillars. To combat them, insecticides should be used. A solution of laundry soap, with the help of which pests are washed off from the green mass, helps against the invasion of aphids.
Conclusion
The Black Heart Breda tomato is an outstanding variety with excellent taste and unique appearance. Although it may require some care, the effort put into growing it pays off with a tasty and flavorful harvest. This tomato is a great addition to any gardener’s garden and a source of pride in the delicious tomatoes you’ve grown yourself.
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