This variety has long been known to experienced gardeners. However, many beginners do not dare to grow it. The advantages of the variety are excellent taste and delicate pink pulp of tomato.
Tomato "cowhide". Description
The variety belongs to tall plants. The fruits are large, fleshy. The skin color is dark pink or raspberry, the fruit is pink on a slice.
The fruits ripen in August, the weight of one is 120-150 grams. On a brush usually from 3 to 5 ovaries are located. In total, the plant has 4-5 brushes. The maximum yield is 6-7 kg. The weight of one tomato at the first harvest can reach 400 grams. The variety is resistant to most tomato diseases. The taste is delicate, sweetish. Cowhide tomato is a mid-season variety. It is suitable for growing in a greenhouse in most of Russia: in the Central Non-Black Earth Region, in the Northwest, in the Central Region, the Volga Region, in the North Caucasus, in Primorye, in the south of the Urals and Siberia.
Growing difficulties
As we can see, the "cowhide" tomato is good at everything and is perfect for growing in greenhouses. Then why it is not taken to grow some gardeners? The answer is simple. The plant is indeterminate (its growth is not limited). The cowhide tomato needs to be dived, tied up and crown shaped. This is a laborious and complex process. Often we see on the “cow’s heart” one or two large fruits on a branch. The rest are small or completely dry.
The secret of a large harvest of "cowhide" lies in the proper feeding and competent picking. In order for the brushes to fully mature, so that there are more, and the crop becomes better, you need to know a few secrets.
Growing Stages
Sowing is carried out in March. Seeds are laid to a depth of 2-3 centimeters. Seedlings need to be fed 2-3 times with
complex fertilizer. To prevent death, seedlings should be hardened. 7-10 days before disembarkation, it is put up for several hours a day in a cooler room.
Seedlings are planted in humus-rich, light soil. Good predecessors are cucumbers, beans, peas, onions, cabbage, carrots. Ridges form 5-7 days before planting. Recommended ridge sizes: 35-40 centimeters in height, 60-90 cm wide, the passage between the ridges is 60-70 centimeters. Soil temperature is not lower than 8 degrees Celsius. If possible, then you need to wait until the soil warms up to 15 degrees. The air temperature should be set in the range of 20-25 degrees.
In unheated greenhouses tomato "cowhide" is planted in May, in heated - in late April. It is better not to plant a late-ripening variety in open ground. If you still decide, this should be done no earlier than the beginning of June.
Landing pattern - 50 * 70. And keep in mind that the plant will be large. Strongly elongated lashes must be dug up, stretching their apex to the north. Planting depth in the middle zone of Russia should not exceed 20-25 centimeters, since the soil temperature at a depth is much lower. Planting seedlings occurs at the age of 55 to 70 days.
Pick
The plant leaves two lashes - the main trunk and the largest stepson. The remaining processes carefully dive. It is important not to let them grow. The lower leaves are also removed, the plant is tied to a trellis. Usually leave 6-8 brushes with ovaries.
Care
Tomatoes are watered regularly with warm water in the evening hours, preventing a large evaporation of moisture. Top dressing is carried out 2-3 times for the entire growth time in the greenhouse. During the entire growing season , loosening of the soil is carried out. But your efforts will be justified - you will receive a fragrant and gentle tomato "cowhide". Gourmet reviews of fresh salad with these tomatoes are only positive.