Characteristics and description of the Cardinal tomato variety, its yield and cultivation
Like any other variety of tomatoes, Cardinal, adapted to Russian conditions, it has pronounced unusual characteristics. It is distinguished from other varieties of salad varieties by the pink color of the fruit, its unusually large size and heart-shaped shape. The taste indicators are excellent and have earned positive reviews from most gardeners.
Description of the variety "Cardinal"
Salad, large-fruited variety for growing in greenhouse conditions, in central Russia. Differs in high resistance to most diseases of nightshade crops.
A small characteristic and description of the variety of tomato "Cardinal":
- the plant in terms of growing season belongs to the category of mid-season. From germination to the moment of fruiting, he needs a period of 110 to 120 days;
- the Cardinal variety belongs to the category of indeterminate, with unlimited stem growth from 150 cm and above. Requires measures to form a bush and an obligatory garter to the support;
- the plant is compact, slightly branched with a green mass of medium size. Leaves of common type, slightly corrugated, medium size, bright green;
- the formation of inflorescences occurs after 3 leaves, the first is laid over 8-12 true leaves. The fruits ripen in stages, on clusters of different levels;
- the fruit of the Cardinal tomatoes are oblong-oval, heart-shaped with a sharp tip;
- the skin is thin, matte, pink with a raspberry tint;
- tomatoes are delicious, sweet, with a sugary juicy pulp, very good in fresh salads;
- fruit weight ranges from 300 to 800 g. Average yield. Collect up to 4-7 kg large-fruited tomatoes from one bush.
The fruits have an attractive presentation, approximately the same in size and shape. Sufficiently long-term fruiting allows you to collect fresh tomatoes over a long period and a much larger amount per square meter.
Tall tomatoes have a well-developed main root and many adventitious roots growing from the stem. Water the plant carefully, taking care not to expose the additional roots that supply the powerful plant with nutrients.
Agricultural technology of cultivation of the variety "Cardinal"
Agrotechnical methods for growing indeterminate varieties, which include the Cardinal tomato, are much simpler. A tall plant allows a more rational use of the height of the greenhouse, receiving sufficient lighting and more actively participating in air exchange. Thanks to this, tomatoes are less likely to get sick. Such varieties of tomatoes are formed easier in one stem.
Growing seedlings tall varieties and regular tomatoes practically do not differ in any way.If you plan to get the first tomatoes in mid-July, then we plant seeds for seedlings in mid-March. Plants dive with the appearance of a second true leaf.
Important! During the growing season, up to 12 ovaries have time to fully develop. This should be taken into account and the growing point should be pinched in time to obtain a harvest.
- Plants are transplanted to the permanent place in May at the age of 50-60 days. The recommended planting density is 5 plants per 2 square meters. Seedlings are planted in rows, or staggered after 55 cm, leaving a row spacing of 60 cm wide.
- The plant needs reliable support or a phased garter at several levels. Can be used to support agro-net, trellises or high stakes.
- Formation of tomatoes is reduced to the removal of side shoots and dying foliage. Only the central trunk is left, which, under favorable conditions, can be thrown over the upper support and cut only at a distance of 50 cm from the ground level.
- There are several formation techniques. Opinions vary. In the reviews, a woman gardener shares her experience of how she grew a variety with a two-stem technique, leaving a lateral shoot under the first flower ovary. For several years now I have been planting tall tomatoes and this method is very convenient. In this case, when the main stem reaches the top of the greenhouse, it is pinched.
- If the plant is grown on the street, then by the month of August its growth is limited by pruning to allow the mature fruits to ripen. The timing is individual and depends on the climatic conditions of the region.
- The main care techniques are reduced to regular watering and feeding. Water the plant at the rate of 1 bucket per bush about once a week. Water should not come into contact with leaves and fruits.
- If the soil has been prepared since autumn and all the necessary fertilizers have been applied before planting, then fertilizing is carried out about once a month. Taking into account the state of tomato bushes, one or another composition of feeding is selected.
The variety "Cardinal" for 20 years of existence has been tested by our gardeners and gardeners. In their opinion, the tomato can be classified as a delicacy for its excellent taste and excellent presentation.
