Surely there are no summer residents who do not grow tomatoes on their plot. "Pink Giant" is one of the brightest representatives of this culture, which has a number of advantages over other varieties. The impressive size alone will not leave indifferent any summer resident. In this article, we will consider not only the description of the "pink giant" tomatoes and the reviews of experienced gardeners about them, but also share the features of growing this variety. In general, this process is not troublesome and does not differ much from growing tomatoes of other varieties. However, there are some nuances, and they must be taken into account if you want to get a rich harvest.
Description of pink giant tomato
This large-fruited variety of tomatoes was bred relatively recently - in 2000, and two years later it was included inState Register. The plant is considered indeterminate and standard, that is, it controls its growth. This ability is very convenient, because the plant independently distributes the growth force and nutrients, directing them in a timely manner to the development of fruits, and not excessive branching. Due to this, minimal maintenance is required, and therefore this variety is considered a vegetable for lazy gardeners.
On average, the height of the bushes when grown in a greenhouse varies from 150 to 180 centimeters. In open ground, tomato bushes of the "pink giant" variety can grow up to 2.5 meters in height. However, they are too dense with leaves, despite their rather large size.
Crop characteristics
Tomatoes "pink giant" are considered mid-ripening - the first harvest can be harvested already 105-110 days after planting. Tomatoes are formed from the ovary in the form of a brush, 3-6 pieces on each. The weight of rounded and slightly flattened fruits reaches an average of 400 grams. However, with good care, you can achieve a weight of one tomato up to 1200 grams. Sometimes a fruit weighing more than two kilograms develops from a large inflorescence, but in this case it has an irregular shape. The total yield from one bush is at least 3-4 kilograms, and in terms of one square meter of the plot, it turns out from 12 to 15 kilograms. Pink giant tomato is characterized by a sweetish taste and dense, granular flesh.
Pros and cons
After reading the basic description of the tomato "pinkgiant", you can proceed to study the advantages and disadvantages of the variety. Knowing them, you will definitely decide whether to give preference to this variety for growing on your site.
The main advantages of the culture, judging by the reviews of the "pink giant" tomato, is resistance to many diseases. Due to the huge size of the fruit, the harvesting process is significantly accelerated, which also cannot but rejoice. The pleasant taste of a tomato allows you to use it not only fresh, but also prepare excellent sauces from it and harvest it in the form of juice or paste. In the process of growing, the bushes perfectly tolerate temperature changes and a delay in watering.
There are also completely insignificant disadvantages of this variety. For example, people note that such large fruits cannot be preserved as a whole. In addition, in the process of growth and active formation of fruits, the brushes bend too much under the weight, as a result of which they spoil. Therefore, they must be tied up in a timely manner. And because of the small number of seeds, the process of collecting them becomes more difficult.
Preparing seeds and planting seedlings
Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out at the very beginning of spring. The first shoots will appear within a week after planting, so the "pink giant" tomatoes can be characterized as fast-growing. The optimum temperature for germination is considered to be +15 ° C; a week after exposure at this temperature, you can transfer the box with seedlings to a warmer room with goodlighting.
Before planting, the seeds are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate or iodine. After that, they are soaked in a growth-stimulating solution and disinfected again. The preparation procedure ends after a five-day exposure of the seeds in the refrigerator chamber. Prepared seeds are kept in water for another week before germination and then sent to the ground.
Planting and caring for seedlings
Sprouted seeds are planted in boxes with soil to a depth of about 2-3 centimeters, after the appearance of two leaves on the sprout, they are picked. You can avoid the procedure by immediately sowing the seeds in separate small containers, since the picking process slows down the overall growth of the plant and the further ripening of the tomatoes for several days. The main care for seedlings is timely watering and double feeding. It is also important to periodically harden seedlings in order to prepare them for growing in open ground. Plantings are hardened by moving the box to a colder room or to the street, and every day increasing the time period.
Transplantation of finished seedlings in a greenhouse or open ground is carried out 55 days after sowing the seeds. The distance between the bushes should be at least 70 centimeters. If the bush has grown too thin and long, bury it a little more than the rest when transplanting.
Water and fertilize
"Pink Giant" prefers rare, but very plentiful watering. Moreover, its frequencydepends on weather conditions and soil composition. For example, in dry and hot weather, the frequency of water application should be increased, and in frequent rains, the procedure should be shortened. It is important not to allow excessive drying of the soil, but the accumulation of moisture is unacceptable - it leads to rotting of the roots.
It is permissible to feed tomatoes with both complex preparations and self-prepared solutions. Chicken manure, manure and ash solution are perfect for fertilizer. A solution of iodine is useful for "pink giant" tomatoes. Eight drops of the drug are dissolved in twenty liters of water - this volume is enough for 5-6 bushes. This treatment will speed up fruit set and protect the plant from late blight.
Hub Care
The root system of this tomato variety develops very quickly, and therefore there is a need for additional oxygen supply. To do this, periodically hill the bushes with loosened earth and remove all weeds.
There are some secrets to the formation of the bush. To speed up the fruit ripening period, no more than seven brushes are left on the bush, and the top of the main stem is significantly shortened. And in order to increase the size of the tomatoes, reduce the number of fertile brushes to five. The procedure for trimming brushes is carried out at the stage of inflorescence formation. No more than four of the largest flowers are left on each brush, all the rest are removed. Such a scheme for the formation of a bush allows you to achieve maximum yield.
Diseases andpests
Judging by the reviews, the pink giant tomato variety is not susceptible to fungal diseases. However, with improper care, pests and other diseases can be affected. To avoid such unpleasant situations, you should regularly ventilate the greenhouse, properly organize watering and provide sufficient lighting.
The most common pests that can attack tomatoes are aphids and thrips. Timely treatment of plantings with the Zubr preparation will help to cope with them. In addition, the "pink giant" tomatoes may be affected by the Colorado potato beetle, which the "Prestige" tool helps to get rid of. And the drug "Confidor" saves from the invasion of the greenhouse whitefly.
