Content
The Golden Heart tomato is an early-ripening variety that produces a good harvest of yellow-orange fruits. It was received by the Russian breeder Yu.I. Panchev. Since 2001, the variety has been included in the State Register.
The following are descriptions, photos, reviews of who planted the Golden Heart tomato. The variety is grown throughout Russia. In the northern regions it is chosen for planting in greenhouses.
Description of the variety
The Golden Heart variety bush meets the following characteristics:
- determinate variety;
- height up to 80 cm in open ground and up to 120 cm in greenhouses;
- ripening period – from 95 to 100 days;
- from 5 to 7 fruits are formed on the brush;
- yield - 2.5 kg per bush.
Characteristics and description of the fruits of the Golden Heart tomato variety are as follows:
- oblong shape;
- the fruits taper at the bottom and have ribs;
- fruit weight up to 150 g when grown in open ground;
- tomatoes weighing up to 300 g are produced in the greenhouse;
- bright orange-yellow color;
- thick skin;
- fleshy pulp with a small amount of seeds;
- rich sweet taste;
- increased carotene content in fruits.
Due to its high carotene content, the Golden Heart tomato is considered a dietary product.It is used in baby food, juices and vegetable dressings are prepared on its basis. The fruits can be cut into pieces and frozen for the winter.
The dense skin ensures good keeping quality of the fruit. According to its characteristics and description of the variety, the Golden Heart tomato is suitable for transportation over long distances.
Boarding order
The Golden Heart variety is grown in seedlings, after which the plants are transferred to open ground or a greenhouse. In the southern regions, seeds can be planted directly into the ground.
Obtaining seedlings
To grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, seedlings are first obtained. Seeds begin to be planted in the second half of February. From the moment of planting to the transfer of plants to a permanent place, one and a half to two months pass.
The soil for seedlings is prepared in the fall. Its main components are turf soil and humus, which are taken in equal proportions. With the help of peat or sawdust, the soil will become looser.
Then they move on to preparing the seeds. The material is placed in warm water for a day, to which salt (2 g per 400 ml) or the drug Fitosporin (2 drops per 200 ml of water) is added.
Containers up to 12 cm high are filled with prepared soil. Furrows up to 1 cm deep must be made. 4 cm are left between rows. Seeds are placed in the furrows every 2 cm and sprinkled with soil.
Containers with plantings are covered with film or glass, after which they are placed in a warm place. When the first shoots appear, the boxes are transferred to a windowsill or other illuminated place.
As the soil dries, you need to spray the seedlings with a spray bottle. Good lighting is maintained daily for 12 hours.
Planting in a greenhouse
The seedlings are transferred to the greenhouse in early May or later, taking into account weather conditions. They begin cooking breasts in the fall, when they dig up the soil and apply fertilizer. It is recommended to replace or disinfect the top layer of soil 10 cm thick with a solution of copper sulfate.
For each square meter you need to apply fertilizer:
- superphosphate (6 tbsp);
- potassium nitrate (1 tsp);
- potassium magnesia (1 tbsp.);
- wood ash (2 cups).
The Golden Heart tomato is distinguished by its compact bush size. There are no more than 4 plants per square meter. The seedlings are placed in a checkerboard pattern, which simplifies their care and avoids overcrowding.
Planting in open ground
Tomatoes are planted in open ground after warm weather sets in, when frosts have passed. The seedlings must have a strong stem, 6 full leaves and a height of 30 cm. Two weeks before work, the seedlings are transferred to the balcony to harden the plants.
The bed for tomatoes should be warmed up and illuminated by the sun, and also have protection from the wind. Tomatoes are planted in places where cabbage, carrots, onions, and legumes grew a year earlier. It is not recommended to plant tomatoes after potatoes, eggplants and peppers.
In the autumn, the soil is dug up and humus is added (5 kg per 1 m2), potash and phosphate fertilizers (20 g each). In the spring, deep loosening is carried out and prepared every 30 cm of the hole. Seedlings are placed in them, the root system is covered with soil and the soil is compacted. After planting, the plants should be watered abundantly.
Tomato care
Tomatoes require regular care, which includes maintaining moisture, watering and fertilizing.To form a bush, it is pinched. An adult plant is tied to a support.
Watering
The Golden Heart tomato is demanding on soil moisture, but they prefer dry air in the greenhouse. Excessive humidity causes the development of fungal diseases, and excessive watering leads to rotting of the root system.
After transferring to the greenhouse or soil, the plants are watered abundantly. The next addition of moisture is made after 10 days. Each bush requires 2-4 liters of water.
The Golden Heart variety is watered in the morning or evening, when there is no exposure to sunlight. It is important to prevent moisture from getting on the green parts of the plants.
During flowering, tomatoes are watered once a week, adding up to 5 liters of water. When fruits appear, watering is done twice a week; each bush requires up to 3 liters of moisture.
Top dressing
During the season, tomatoes require the following feeding:
- 2 weeks after transferring to a permanent place, the tomatoes are fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. A bucket of water requires 1 tbsp. l. urea. The solution is watered at the roots of the plants (1 liter for each bush).
- After another week, add liquid chicken manure (0.5 liters per bucket of water). For each bush, 1 liter of the resulting mixture is enough.
- The next feeding occurs during the flowering period. You need to dig furrows along the bed and sprinkle ash. Then it is covered with earth.
- When the third cluster blooms, the tomatoes are fed with potassium guamate. For 10 liters of water take 1 tbsp. l. fertilizers
- During the period of fruit ripening, plantings are sprayed with a superphosphate solution. For 1 liter of water, measure 1 tbsp. l. of this substance.
Pinching and tying
As a result of pinching, excess shoots are eliminated, which take away the plant’s strength and require nutrients. This way the bushes produce larger fruits.
The stepson grows from the axil of the leaf. Therefore, it is necessary to break off the upper process, which has not reached a length of 5 cm.
Pruning is done manually so as not to injure the plant. Be sure to leave up to 3 cm of leaf length so as not to provoke the development of a new stepson.
The Golden Heart variety is formed into two stems. Therefore, one of the strongest stepson, located under the first flowering brush, must be left.
As tomatoes grow, they need to be tied up so that the stems do not break under the weight of the fruit. To do this, a support made of wood or metal is driven into the ground. The bush is tied at the top.
Protection from diseases and pests
According to photos and reviews of those who planted the Golden Heart tomato, the variety has average resistance to diseases. For prevention, tomatoes are sprayed with preparations containing copper.
When darkened or curled leaves appear, tomatoes are sprayed with Fitosporin or another biological product. Damaged parts of plants are removed.
Tomatoes are attacked by thrips, aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Insecticides are effective against insects. It is allowed to use folk remedies: a solution of ammonia, an infusion of onion peels or a decoction of celandine.
Following agricultural practices will help to avoid the spread of diseases and pests:
- ventilation of the greenhouse;
- elimination weed;
- compliance with watering rules;
- mulching the soil with humus or peat.
Reviews
Conclusion
According to reviews and photos, the Golden Heart tomato is very popular among gardeners. The variety attracts with its unusual color and shape of fruits, high yield and decent taste. You need to care for a tomato according to the standard scheme: watering, fertilizing, tying and pinching. For prevention, it is recommended to carry out treatments against diseases and pests.
The tomato variety Golden Heart is magnificent, and together with it the Golden Bullet. The harvest is excellent, thank you very much to the breeder.