Despite the fact that breeders annually produce a huge number of varieties and hybrids of tomatoes, gardeners do not give up the honored, which they have been growing for half a century. One of the oldest varieties that has not yet lost its popularity is the tomato Heart of Ashgabat. Description of varieties, fruits, productivity, as well as the history of the cultivation of this tomato and reviews about it are waiting for you below!
Growing history
Ashkhabad's heart belongs to the varieties of folk selection. They brought him to the Turkmen SSR in the sixties of the last century. The variety quickly gained popularity among numerous gardeners of that era. The Heart of Ashgabat received registration in 1972, however, we note that currently there are no entries about it in the State Register of the Russian Federation. Most often, gardeners from the southern regions of Russia grow the heart of Ashgabat tomato, which is not surprising - the variety feels great in open ground. True, tomatoes of this variety can grow in a greenhouse throughout Russia. The heart of Ashgabat is one of the best tomato varieties for a greenhouse in the Moscow Region, the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East. And in open ground it can be grown in the Crimea, Rostov and Astrakhan regions, Stavropol.
Grade description
Ashkhabad's heart belongs to the semi-determinant standard varieties. The height of one bush can reach a height of the order of one and a half meters. Bushes are medium-leafy, summer residents note that the plant needs to be formed. Experienced gardeners recommend cultivating the Heart of Ashgabat in two or three stems, be sure to tie the bushes to the supports. One square meter can accommodate no more than 3-4 plants.
Tomato Heart of Ashgabat is practically not affected by such diseases of tomatoes as late blight and cladosporiosis, however it is important to take into account that periods of prolonged rains negatively affect the fruits: tomatoes can begin to crack.
The variety is considered mid-early, the first ripe fruits can be tasted 100-110 days after sowing seeds or for seedlings, or in the garden. The tomato yield is quite high: from one bush you can collect about 7 kilograms of large and fleshy fruits.
Tomato Heart of Ashgabat: characteristics of tomatoes
As the name implies, tomatoes of this variety have a heart-shaped shape. They are quite large: the weight of one can reach about 300-400 grams. However, the first tomatoes on the bush can weigh half a kilogram. The tomato contains 6-7 chambers inside, the color of the fruit is saturated yellow, in a state of technical maturity this shade is closer to orange. Due to the dense pulp and strong skin, the fruits are well stored, they are suitable for transportation over medium distances. Tomato has a few seeds, the pulp is fragrant, fleshy, sweetish, there is practically no acidity in it. In their reviews, some gardeners called the Heart of Ashgabat one of the best yellow fruit varieties.
The fruits are suitable both for fresh consumption and for processing. Of course, full-canning is difficult in banks, the reason for this is the large size of the fruits, so tomato juice of a pleasant yellow color is usually prepared from them. Suitable tomatoes Heart of Ashgabat and for drying. Variety recommended for diet
The main advantages of the variety
Of course, if a tomato of this variety did not have so many advantages, gardeners would have forgotten about it for 50 years. However, it should be noted that interest in the Heart of Ashgabat in recent years has only increased, which indicates the great potential laid down by breeders of the last century. The positive aspects include:
- high productivity;
- excellent taste of fruits;
- long preservation;
- good transportability;
- resistance to the main diseases to which representatives of the nightshade family are most often exposed;
- beautiful appearance.
Variety disadvantages
Ashgabat's heart is practically no different from other yellow and orange varieties of tomatoes. Among the relative shortcomings are the need for the formation of a bush, increased thermophilicity, because of which it will not be possible to grow a tomato without shelter in central Russia or the northern regions.
Growing Features
Sowing seeds is recommended to be done 60-65 days before planting plants in the ground. After 110 days, the first fruits ripen. In the event that you manage to create suitable conditions for the growth of tomatoes, you can get at least 6-7 kilograms of the crop from each plant. This means that with every square meter you get about 30 kilograms of product, which is an excellent yield indicator. When growing tomatoes of this variety, you should know that it is demanding on light and temperature conditions, is sensitive to climatic conditions, needs periodic top dressing. Please note: under the weight of heavy fruits, branches can break off. That is why it is recommended to tie not only the stem, but also the branches.
Diseases and Pests
Tomato The heart of Ashgabat is quite resistant to any fungal diseases, usually affecting tomatoes, but improper care can cause the fungus to appear. In order to prevent such a problem, it is recommended to observe the irrigation regime and regularly ventilate the greenhouse. Another preventive measure is regular loosening of the soil. With insects that can attack the heart of Ashgabat, a drug called "Bison" will perfectly cope. To eliminate the problem of pests when growing tomatoes in open ground, it is recommended to timely loosen the soil and water the plants with mustard powder diluted in water.
Reviews
In reviews of the tomato Heart of Ashgabat, gardeners say: the fruits are very tender, they lack sourness. Tomatoes are characterized by a bright orange color, the shape is either classic or similar to a flattened heart. Gardeners note: the variety responds well to fertilizing, but when there is a lack of nutrients in the soil, the bushes become frail. Gardeners recommend fertilizing three times per season: organic and mineral complex fertilizers will be required for the plant two weeks after transplanting to a permanent place, during flowering and during the formation of fruits. If you do not remove the extra leaves in time, the bushes will be too sprawling.