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It is interesting that by somewhat distorting the real facts to please consumers, producers often do a disservice to themselves and to their tomato varieties, which with their other characteristics deserve to be loved by gardeners. For experienced gardeners, it is not particularly difficult to notice the substitution, and understand that this is not happiness, and yet not leave their attention to the variety that interests them. But beginners will most likely be left with an unpleasant aftertaste from the inaccuracies in the advertising description of the variety, and if there are any other discrepancies, they will completely refuse to grow this tomato, and they will be right in their own way.
This fully applies to the Rosy Cheeks tomato variety, popular among many and well known firsthand. The tomato variety Pink Cheeks has many excellent characteristics and reviews about it are often quite favorable, but the manufacturer’s description seems to specifically emphasize its precocity. Any experienced gardener will understand that if the growing season of a tomato is 110-115 days, then it can no longer be called either precocious or early ripening. Beginners most often do not pay attention to specific numbers, but only read the words in the description, and then are disappointed when they see that the tomatoes ripen only at the very end of summer.
If we exclude this inaccuracy from attention, the rest of the Pink Cheeks tomato is very attractive in many respects and deserves to be paid attention to.
Description of the variety
In 2002, scientist-breeders of the Manul seed company developed a new variety of tomatoes, which was named Pink Cheeks. In 2003, this variety was already included in the State Register of Russia with recommendations for cultivation under film covers in the following regions of Russia:
- Northern;
- Northwestern;
- Central;
- Volgo-Vyatsky;
- Central Black Earth;
- Middle Volga;
- North Caucasian.
The fact is that it is under these conditions that it exhibits its maximum productivity.
The Pink Cheeks tomato has many individual properties that are not often found in the tomato world. For example, despite recommendations for growing indoors, the variety is determinant, that is, limited in growth. Typically, these varieties of tomatoes are intended for growing in open ground.
The height of the bushes is small, on average they grow to 70-80 cm. But here, too, the Rosy Cheeks tomatoes show their individuality.
Thus, the height of a tomato bush can increase to 1.5 meters, in turn, the yield from the bush also increases. Of course, it makes sense to form tomato bushes of this variety in this way only in greenhouse conditions, where they have enough warmth and light.
In general, the bushes of this tomato variety have good growth vigor, and, despite their determinacy, take up quite a lot of space.
The leaves of this tomato variety are medium sized and light green in color. The inflorescence is in most cases a simple raceme, although combined variants are also found. The bunch is quite loose and usually consists of three to five tomatoes.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Pink Cheeks tomato is a typical mid-season tomato variety, the ripening period of which lasts on average about 112 days.
The yield of Rosy Cheeks tomatoes is about 5.5 kg per 1 sq. meters. For some, this figure is not significant, but given the excellent taste of the fruit, for many this will be quite enough.
Regarding disease resistance, the manufacturer ignores this characteristic. But according to reviews, the variety does not cause any complaints on this side. Moreover, despite the fact that it is recommended to grow it under film covers, it can recover even after spring return frosts.
Characteristics of tomatoes
What you can really love about Pink Cheeks tomatoes is their taste. And gardeners forgive the producer all his involuntary flaws, having tasted these tomatoes once. They have the following characteristics:
- The shape of these tomatoes is quite traditional, flat-round, with mild ribbing.
- Unripe fruits are green in color, with a dark spot clearly visible on the stalk.But after full ripening, everything improves, and the tomatoes acquire a rich pink color with a slight raspberry tint.
- Tomatoes of this variety are characterized by dense, but at the same time juicy and fleshy pulp. The number of seed chambers is at least 4. The skin is medium thick.
- The fruits of this variety are even in size; it rarely happens that some grow significantly larger than others. They are quite large, on average the weight of one fruit is 250-300 grams.
- Taste characteristics of tomatoes Rosy cheeks are beyond praise. Although unfavorable growing conditions may affect the appearance of tomatoes, including their taste.
- The purpose of tomatoes of this variety is universal. They are simply excellent in salads, both in appearance and taste. They make excellent tomato juice. And they make wonderful salted tomatoes.
Another amazing feature of the Rosy Cheeks tomatoes is that despite their large size and excellent taste, they are stored and transported well. Therefore, from this point of view, they may be interesting for cultivation by farmers.
Features of cultivation
In whatever region you intend to grow the Pink Cheeks tomato variety, you will need to first grow seedlings. However, this variety does not present any particular difficulties in caring for it - everything is within the normal requirements of any tomato seedling. It needs, first of all, an abundance of light, a moderate amount of moisture and cool temperature conditions.
The first inflorescence of a tomato of this variety is formed quite late for determinate varieties - after 7-8 leaves.Therefore, most likely, the seedlings will be planted in a permanent place not yet in a blooming state. This is for the better, since it will contribute to its better survival. For one square meter of area in a greenhouse, it is worth planting no more than 3-4 tomato bushes of this variety.
In this case, they will be more spread out on the ground and take up quite a lot of space.
If you forget about the determinacy of this variety and form the bushes into one stem, removing all the stepsons and carefully tying them to supports, you can get fruits of record sizes. And this can have a positive effect on productivity. In general, the variety may be of interest to experienced tomato lovers for the opportunity to experiment with it.
Reviews from gardeners
Reviews from gardeners about the Rosy Cheeks tomato are somewhat contradictory. Quite a few people admire its taste and other characteristics. At the same time, many are dissatisfied with the discrepancy between the stated characteristics in its description and the real data during cultivation. This can be attributed to possible mis-grading, which has been so common lately even in packaging from reputable manufacturers, and to actual errors in the description, which was mentioned at the beginning of the article.
Conclusion
The Rosy Cheeks tomato can interest experienced gardeners with conflicting opinions about it. After all, the truth can only be learned through practical means. Well, those for whom the taste of tomatoes is above all other characteristics should pay attention to this variety. Most likely, he will not disappoint you.
