Characteristics and description of the tomato "Maiden's Breast"

There's plenty of choice among tomatoes, and everyone finds their favorite variety: tall and compact bushes, fruits in a variety of colors, and resistance to diseases and conditions. One interesting variety is "Maiden Breast."

Characteristics

This mid-season variety produces its first fruits 105-120 days after germination. The bushes are indeterminate, unrestricted in growth, and require pinching at the growing point. The plants reach an approximate height of 180 centimeters, with normal leaves.

The fruits are unusually rounded and heart-shaped, sometimes with a pointed tip. They typically weigh between 200 and 400 grams, but with ideal care, some can reach 800 grams. When ripe, the tomatoes take on a crimson-red color. The skin is firm, the fleshy, seedless flesh has an excellent flavor and a distinct aroma. Many gardeners note the good yields of this variety.

Tomatoes can be eaten fresh or preserved as purees, sauces, and tomato juice. Due to their size, they won't fit through the neck of a jar, but they can be pickled in a barrel. The "Maiden Breast" variety is resistant to various diseases, which is a huge advantage. In central Russia, greenhouse cultivation is recommended. They are transportable, and their shelf life is average.

Advantages

• Attractive appearance.
• Tasty and aromatic fruits.
• Excellent harvest.
• Universal application.
• Possibility to grow giant fruits.
• Disease resistance.

Flaws

• It is necessary to tie up and remove side shoots from the bushes.
• For growing in the middle zone, a greenhouse is needed.

Growing seedlings

Seeds are typically sown in trays at the end of March and in greenhouses in early April. They are pre-prepared, disinfected, and soaked in a growth stimulant. The soil for seedlings should be loose and nutritious; it is moistened before sowing. Then, furrows are made in the soil 10 cm apart, into which the seeds are placed, keeping a distance of 1-2 cm between them. Then, they are covered with a thin layer of soil, carefully watered, and covered with plastic wrap until germination occurs. The trays with seedlings are stored in a warm place, protected from direct sunlight. When the sprouts emerge, the plastic wrap is removed from the containers and they are moved to a bright location. It is very important not to miss this moment, otherwise the seedlings may stretch.

When the seedlings have 3-4 leaves, transplant them into separate containers. To ensure strong growth, they need regular watering and 16 hours of light. The room temperature should be kept between 20-23 degrees Celsius (68-73 degrees Fahrenheit), although it can be lowered slightly at night.

Growing seedlings in a greenhouse

Seeds intended for the greenhouse are sown in the same way as in boxes. They are then watered and covered with agrofibre and plastic film. Once the seedlings emerge, the film is removed. The agrofibre should be left on, as it will protect the seedlings from the cold at night and the soil from drying out during the day.

Low-growing varieties are mainly grown in greenhouses, while tall tomatoes are grown in boxes, as they require more care.

Growing and care

Seedlings are transplanted to their permanent location when they are two months old; by this time, the soil should have warmed to 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit). Crop rotation is important to protect the plant from many soil-borne diseases. The best predecessors for tomatoes are cucumbers, cabbage, greens, and onions. Avoid planting tomatoes after eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Four plants are spaced per square meter. Bushes of this variety require support; for taller varieties, a trellis is best. They are trained into two stems, then side shoots are removed throughout the summer.

To prevent fungal diseases, remove the leaves under the lower clusters. If tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse, ventilate it daily and monitor humidity. It is also recommended to treat the plants with antifungal agents at least three times during the growing season. Diseased tomatoes should be removed, otherwise they can spread to others. When late blight season begins, experienced gardeners advise reducing the load on the plants by picking not only fully ripe tomatoes but also brown ones.

Plants should be watered at least once a week, preferably on cool or cloudy days. Each plant will require 0.7-0.9 liters of warm, settled water. It's best to loosen the damp soil approximately every two weeks. Fertilizing is also essential; tomatoes respond equally well to mineral and organic fertilizers, and you can alternate between the two. The first fertilization can be done 12-14 days after replanting, using a mullein solution: 1 liter of mullein, 8-9 liters of water, and 20 grams of superphosphate. This amount is enough for 10 plants. After two weeks, it's best to use dry mineral fertilizers for the second and third feedings.

Conclusion

Despite the need for meticulous care, many agronomists still choose the "Maiden Breast" variety for planting, as its fruits have an unforgettable taste and are also distinguished by their high yield.

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Reviews

Anastasia, 31 years old

"Maiden Breast" is an excellent, productive variety; I was pleased with it. The seedlings grew vigorously, I transplanted them to the greenhouse in May, and by the end of July I had my own tomatoes. They have a very pleasant flavor, sweet flesh, and few seeds, making them perfect for tomato juice, which I made with virtually no waste. The largest tomato weighed 540 grams. I've collected seeds for next year; we'll see how they turn out.

Tamara is 55 years old

I've been gardening my whole life, helping my mother tend to the plants from a young age; she grew tomatoes for sale. True, there weren't such a wide variety of varieties back then, but now every year I try a few new ones and plant the ones I like. This season, I've chosen "Maiden Breast"; I really like it. The only drawback is planting it in a greenhouse, and mine is almost full. I also planted a couple of plants in a garden bed as an experiment, but the yield is lower in open ground. The tomatoes are tasty, plump, and aromatic.