Tomato Tourmaline

Along with the classic types of tomatoes, pink tomatoes are very popular, which grow and bear fruit well in the open field and in the greenhouse. The mid-season Tourmaline variety is among the pink-fruited.

The Tourmaline tomato was bred by a group of Russian breeders of the Gavrish agricultural firm (T. A. Redichkina, Yu. A. Filimonova, S. F. Gavrish, R. N. Kapustina and D. S. Gladkov) in 2007. Added nightshade crop to the list of approved for use in 2009. It is recommended to grow the tomato in the garden beds, but the variety is also quite productive in film greenhouses. The culture is zoned in all climatic zones of Russia.

Tourmaline is a medium-sized shrub of a determinant type, growing to a height of 70 cm. In a greenhouse, the bush can stretch up to 100 cm. The plant is characterized by medium foliage with green foliage, strong branching, a powerful central stem, a developed root and simple inflorescences. The first fruit cluster is formed above 5-7 leaves, where from 5 to 8 berries are tied. On a healthy tomato bush, up to 5-6 fruit clusters can form.

When growing a tomato Tourmaline, do not forget about the formation of a bush in 1, sometimes in 2 stems, mandatory garter and partial pinching, although some gardeners are sure that there is no need to remove stepchildren. The purpose of the tomato is salad, therefore it is eaten fresh, is widely used in cooking, and is also processed into drinks and dressings. The smallest and unripe fruits can be used for whole-fruit canning.

The tomato belongs to the large-fruited class. The average fruit weight is 130-150 grams. Under favorable conditions, a tomato can gain a mass of 200-220 grams. The largest tomatoes are formed on the first fruit clusters. The shape of the vegetable is flat-round with a noticeable ribbing of the surface. Ripe tomato is evenly covered with a rich pink color, sometimes raspberry pink. At the stage of technical maturity, the vegetable is covered with a green color with a pronounced spot at the base, which disappears as it ripens.

The skin of the vegetable is thin, smooth, shiny and elastic, well protecting against cracking. In addition, tomatoes tolerate transportation well and can be stored for some time without losing their taste and marketability.

The tomato tastes great. The pulp is characterized by moderate firmness, meatiness and juiciness. The taste is dominated by sweetness, but in a cold and rainy summer, tomatoes can acquire a slight sourness. The seeds are small and almost invisible in the pulp. The advantage of the vegetable is its composition, which contains vitamin C, a lot of selenium and sugars. The aroma of the vegetable is bright, dessert-spicy.

Tourmaline is a mid-season tomato. From the mass germination of seedlings to ripe berries on the bushes, 4 months pass - 117-112 days. When bushes are formed into 1 stem, the fruiting period is very short - one month, and if you keep plants in 2-3 stems, then the period will stretch somewhat, which will make it possible to remove ripe tomatoes for 6-7 weeks.The peak of fruiting begins in late July - early August.

The yield of the variety is excellent. With proper agricultural technology and favorable weather conditions, 7-8.5 kg of ripe tomatoes can be grown per 1 m2. In the garden, summer residents remove up to 5 kg from one bush.

You can plant seeds for seedlings from the end of March to the beginning of April. It is recommended to sort the seed, disinfect and process it with a growth stimulator. The germination of seedlings will provide a greenhouse effect using polyethylene or glass. Massive sprouts appear on the 6-8th day. For plants to grow, it is necessary to provide the correct light and temperature conditions.

At the stage of appearance of 3 leaves, the plants dive. Experienced gardeners are advised to pick several times. 10-14 days before transplanting, the bushes are hardened, which will ensure quick adaptation of seedlings to new growing conditions.

The bushes should be transferred to the garden from the end of May to the beginning of June, when the soil and the air have warmed up, and the threat of nighttime temperature drops has been left behind.

It is important not only to care for the plant, but also to plant it correctly on the site. It is recommended to place 3-4 bushes per 1 m2, which will allow the plants to receive sufficient air and sun. The correct layout for landing is 30x30 cm.

It is recommended to grow tomatoes in loose and fertile soils with neutral acidity. Sandy loam soils are ideal. The site must be sunny and free of drafts. It is best to grow tomatoes where cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, or legumes used to grow.

Comprehensive crop care includes a number of activities: regular watering, fertilizing, weeding and loosening the soil, forming and tying bushes, thinning and removing stepchildren at will, protection from pests and fungi.

High immunity protects the culture from fusarium wilting and verticillosis. Early ripening allows tomatoes to get away from phytophthora.

Due to its resistance to stress, the tomato easily tolerates cloudy and damp weather, temperature fluctuations, as well as heat (up to 32-35 degrees).