Probably not a single vegetable garden or greenhouse can do without pink tomatoes. It is pink tomatoes that are considered the most delicious: the fruits have 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.
A description of the Pink Elephant tomato variety, photos and reviews from gardeners about this tomato can be found in this article. Here you can find a detailed description of the Pink Elephant tomato, tell you how to plant it and how best to care for it.
Description of the variety
Just 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 the Pink Elephant tomato either in the ground or in a greenhouse or greenhouse. The crop is a varietal, not a hybrid, and therefore propagates well by seeds.
More detailed characteristics and description of the Pink Elephant tomato variety:
- tomato belongs to varieties with medium-early ripening periods - the harvest can be harvested 112 days after emergence;
- bushes of determinant type, grow up to 120-170 cm in height;
- Many side shoots form on the plants, so the tomato needs to be pruned regularly;
- the Elephant bush is quite powerful, takes up a lot of space, has large leaves and thick shoots;
- the leaves are large, rich green, potato type;
- flower clusters begin above the seventh leaf, then alternate through each pair of leaves;
- the shape of the pink fruits is flat-round, slightly flattened;
- the mass of tomatoes is large - from 300 to 1000 grams;
- Each bush can ripen from five to eight fruits;
- unripe tomatoes have a dark green spot near the stalk, ripe tomatoes have a rich crimson-coral color;
- The peel of the fruit is shiny, very dense, and not prone to cracking;
- the pulp of the Pink Elephant tomato is sugary, sweet-sour, juicy;
- the fruits tolerate transportation well and do not deteriorate during storage;
- tomatoes of the Pink Elephant variety are resistant to the main “tomato” infections, such as late blight, fusarium, alternaria;
- Pests are not interested in tomatoes - they rarely attack bushes of this variety;
- The variety's yield is average - from three to four kilograms of tomatoes can be harvested from each bush;
- Given 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, and their pulp contains a lot of vitamins and microelements beneficial to the body.It is quite possible to use the harvest of this variety for preparing canned salads or other dishes, but you won’t be able to pickle the tomatoes as a whole - they are too large.
About growing tomatoes
This is not to say that 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 definitely envy the truly “elephant” size of the harvest.
Taking into account the experience of other gardeners, reading their reviews with photos, you can make some Algorithm of actions when growing the Pink Elephant variety:
- When buying seeds, be sure to read the instructions on the bag. They usually indicate planting dates and the most important stages of caring for tomatoes.
- Pink Elephant is recommended to be planted as seedlings along with other early ripening tomatoes - that is, in March. The specific date for sowing seeds should depend on the climate in the region and the method of growing tomatoes (greenhouse or soil).
- For seedlings, it is convenient to use special containers with airtight lids. You can take purchased soil intended for tomatoes and bell peppers.
- The seeds are first soaked in a weak solution of manganese. For planting, take only those that settle to the bottom of the container with the solution. These seeds need to be washed under running water and planted in the ground.
- Sprinkle the tomato seeds on top with a centimeter layer of dry soil and irrigate the soil with 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 germinate, then the lid is removed and the container is placed in a cooler (20-22 degrees) and bright place.
- Tomatoes need to be watered often, but only when the seedlings have enough sunlight. If there is little sun, reduce watering or use artificial supplementary lighting.
- When the pink tomatoes grow a pair of true leaves, they are picked and planted in separate containers. At the same stage, the first fertilizing is performed. It is convenient to use a mineral complex dissolved in water.
- It is recommended to transfer tomatoes to a permanent place at the following times: at the end of April - when the spruce greenhouse is heated, in mid-May - under film or in a regular greenhouse, in early June - when planting in a garden bed.
- Planting scheme: no more than two bushes per square meter. The Pink-fruited Elephant needs a lot of air and light; nutrition from the soil may also not be enough if the bushes are planted more densely. Before planting, you need to add a lot of organic matter and mineral fertilizers to the soil.
About proper care
The Pink Elephant tomato is not a variety that will delight you with abundant harvests. Best case scenario A gardener will remove 8-9 fruits from one bush, but the total weight of the harvest will be 3-4 kilograms. To achieve such results, you will have to work hard.
Here's how to care for a Pink Elephant tomato:
- Due to a certain habit, the bushes are formed into one or two stems - the plant simply cannot withstand more ovaries and shoots.
- The gardener must remove the remaining stepsons at the entire stage of tomato development. It is better to do this in the morning, watering the beds abundantly the day before.
- 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 clusters themselves, because the mass of the lower ones can reach 1.5 kg.
- The Pink Elephant needs to be fed generously and often, otherwise it will not “pull” such a mass of tomatoes. In the first half of vegetative development, both organic and mineral fertilizers are used. After flowering, it is recommended to use only mineral complexes or individual substances. Tomato responds especially well to potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
- It is necessary to normalize not only the shoots, but also the number of flowers. It is recommended to leave 3-4 inflorescences on the first two brushes of the Elephant, the third brush is also thinned out, leaving 4-6 flowers. Flowers are picked off at the bud stage before they open.
- The lower leaves of massive bushes also need to be torn off. Every week they pick one or two leaves. No more leaves can be removed, as plant photosynthesis will be disrupted. If you do not touch the leaves at all, the risk of tomato infection with fungal infections will increase significantly.
- Water the Elephant abundantly and often, using warm water. To reduce moisture evaporation, cover the ground with straw, sawdust or plucked grass.
- To prevent infection of tomatoes, preventive treatment of bushes against the most common diseases and pests is carried out. Disinfection must be completed before fruit formation.
The harvested crop can be stored for several weeks. To do this, place the tomatoes in clean, dry boxes and place them in a cool, dark place. If necessary, the harvest can be transported to any distance - the fruits perfectly retain their shape and taste.
Review
Conclusion
The description given here indicates that Pink Elephant is not a tomato for everyone.These tomatoes are not suitable for whole canning, nor are they the best option for growing commercially. But the variety is excellent for private gardens and summer cottages, because among the tomatoes there are few that turn out to be tastier and larger than the Elephant. True, in order to grow a good harvest of this pink tomato, the owner will have to work hard.
