Characteristics and description of the tomato "Danko"

Large-fruited tomatoes, shaped like a heart and pink in color, have the best flavor. The Danko variety is just that. These large, fleshy tomatoes have thin skin, a rich aroma, and a sweetish flavor.

This variety is best suited for fresh salads, but it can also be used to make various sauces and pastes. It's not just its excellent taste that has made Danko popular among gardeners. It's also easy to grow and suitable for planting in any climate.

Characteristics of the variety

First of all, it should be noted that Danko is not distinguished by high yields, but its fruiting is stable and does not depend on environmental factors.

Important! This variety is simply impossible to miss. Its beautiful, smooth, heart-shaped fruits, tinged with raspberry, stand out from their yellow, red, and black counterparts.

Danko was developed by Russian breeders. It belongs to the Siberian-bred varieties. This allows the tomato to easily tolerate low temperatures and low sunlight. It is also tolerant of soil conditions and temperature fluctuations.

• determinate tomato, meaning the plant has a final growth point;
• the bushes are low, only about 50 cm and not too dense;
• Suitable for both open ground and greenhouses;
• A mid-early tomato variety. Fruiting begins 110 days after the first shoots appear;
• It's best to form a bush with 3-4 stems. This increases the plant's yield;
• the bush does not require removal of side shoots, but may require tying;
• This tomato variety tolerates not only cold, but also drought;
• the largest fruits are formed on the lower branches of the bush;
• the fruits are heart-shaped, the surface is slightly ribbed;
• Unripe tomatoes are pale green. Ripe tomatoes are reddish-orange. There is a characteristic green spot near the stem.
• The weight of tomatoes varies depending on the growing method, so in the garden they can weigh -250 g, and in greenhouse conditions - about 400 g;
• The fruit has excellent flavor, sweet, dense flesh, and thin skin. Therefore, tomatoes of this variety do not store or transport well;
• The purpose of this variety is to be consumed fresh;
• the yield is average, approximately 3-3.5 kg from one bush;
• Because of their thin skin, tomatoes are prone to cracking;
• resistant to almost all types of diseases that can affect tomatoes;
• are resistant to pests;
• Due to the fact that tomatoes of this variety ripen quite early, they rarely suffer from late blight, all because the peak of the disease occurs in August.

Pros and cons of the variety

Reviews of this variety are mostly positive. Its most important quality is its versatility. Therefore, it can be grown throughout Russia.

Advantages of the variety:

• excellent taste;
• excellent external characteristics;
• large fruits;
• small bushes;
• stable yield;
• resistance to tomato diseases;
• pest resistance;
• Tomatoes of this variety can bear fruit in any climate zone. This includes heat, drought, excessive moisture, and low temperatures.

Of course, there were some downsides.

The following are noted:

• Danko, like all pink varieties, is difficult to transport;
• not suitable for cultivation on an industrial scale;
• Excess moisture in the soil may cause cracking;
• despite the fact that the variety is capable of bearing fruit in any conditions, it is worth noting that under unfavorable conditions these indicators will significantly decrease;
• In greenhouse conditions it may grow a little taller, so staking may be necessary.

Agricultural practices

The cultivation technology for this variety varies by region, as planting times will vary. And although this tomato variety is considered easy to grow, that doesn't mean it requires no attention at all.

Landing rules

For regions of Russia, cultivation using seedlings is exclusively suitable. Therefore, the first step is to sow the seeds to obtain the desired fruit.

Sowing dates will also vary depending on the region. For example, in the central regions of the country, sowing begins in early March.

If you purchased unprocessed planting material or collected it yourself, you must fulfill certain conditions:

• rejection of empty seeds;
• warming up;
• treatment with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• You can also stimulate the acceleration of sprout emergence with special preparations;
• germinate only in a warm, humid environment.

Sow seeds in loose, nutritious soil. You can purchase a potting mix at a specialty store, or you can make your own. To do this, take garden soil, mix it with peat or sawdust, add sand, and mineral fertilizers such as phosphorus and potassium.

When the first 2-3 true leaves appear, the seedlings should be transplanted into a larger container.

Tomatoes are planted in open beds only when the soil warms up to 10 degrees Celsius. It's important that the risk of frost has passed. A planting pattern of 4 plants per square meter is considered optimal.

If you plan to plant plants in a greenhouse, seedlings can be planted around the 20th of May.

Rules for caring for tomatoes

1. Water as the soil dries. Evening watering is considered best. Use warm, preferably settled water.
2. The plant is shaped by removing all side shoots, leaving the first 3-4. Neglecting this rule can significantly reduce yield.
3. Fertilizing. Tomatoes of this variety require fertilizing approximately 2-3 times during the fruiting season. Both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable for this purpose.

To prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests, the plant should be treated with a product intended for this purpose.

Reviews

Tamara, 43 years old

I've been growing the Danko tomato at my dacha for over five years now. Overall, I'm happy with the variety. Given our harsh climate, there's not a huge selection of tomato varieties. Almost all are designed for greenhouse conditions. I was pleased with this tomato: the fruits are tasty and large.