Characteristics and description of the tomato "Crushed Heart"

The "Crushed Heart" tomato variety is a mid-season variety and is suitable for greenhouse cultivation. An exception may be southern regions with a predominantly warm climate and early end of spring frosts.

The bushes are indeterminate and can reach a height of about 1.5 – 1.8 m.

Characteristics of the variety

The main characteristic of this variety is the graceful, heart-shaped fruit with a pointed tip. The leaves are thin, regular, and dark green. The bushes require side shoots to be pinched out, leaving only 1-2 main stems. Each cluster produces 5-6 fruits. As the tomatoes ripen, they acquire a pinkish-purple color with characteristic golden highlights. The flavor is balanced and quite sweet, the flesh is firm, and the average weight is approximately 200-400 g.

The high yield of the grown bushes is due to the ability to obtain approximately 5-6 kg of tomatoes per square meter. Moreover, the seedling density is limited to just three plants. Ripe tomatoes can be eaten fresh, or used to make juices and sauces. They are also recommended for use with dietary restrictions.

Recommendations for growing seedlings

Tomato seeds should be sown in prepared, fertilized soil 60-65 days before planting in their permanent location. Seeds should be planted at a depth of no more than 1 cm, with a minimum distance of 1.5-2 cm between them. During sowing, the soil should be moist, but avoid standing water, as this will deprive the seeds of oxygen. Another important factor is sufficient soil looseness, which can be achieved by adding coarse river sand.

As for fertilizing the soil in seedling containers, it is not recommended to use fresh manure or unrotted compost. Mineral complexes should contain potassium, copper, nitrogen, and calcium. During germination and stem strengthening, any additional fertilizers should be avoided, as they can burn the very sensitive root system of future tomatoes.

Water regularly, but very sparingly, using warm, settled water with a temperature of at least 28-30 degrees Celsius. The room itself should be bright and warm (around 23-27 degrees Celsius). All containers containing future seedlings are covered with transparent glass or film. This trick will allow condensation to accumulate on the surface, preventing it from evaporating, thereby protecting the soil from drought.

Since the soil containing the seeds requires daily aeration, the protective film should be removed for several hours. As soon as the first shoots begin to appear (5-8 days after sowing), the cover is removed completely. By the time the established seedlings are transplanted, they should be at least 35-40 days old. The stems themselves should have 3-4 fully developed leaves.

Growing rules

Planting seedlings in open ground is only possible in warm climates with long summers. The bushes grow quite tall, requiring careful tying to additional support or trellising. This variety is quite heat-loving, requiring avoidance of sudden temperature fluctuations and can be damaged by the return of night frosts.

Soil fertilization is carried out at least 3-4 times per season and includes:

•         autumn fertilization of the soil with rotted compost, manure, bird droppings or any other organic substrate with mandatory digging of the area;
•         adding mineral complexes to the soil during the planting of grown seedlings;
•         before the expected appearance of the first flowers on the bushes.

Timely mulching—covering the root zone with a material that blocks sunlight and prevents moisture evaporation—will help prevent the soil from drying out. Mandatory care also includes weeding and loosening the soil to ensure adequate oxygenation. 10 to 12 days after planting, carefully earth up the bushes. The distance between bushes should be at least 40 to 50 cm. The maximum yield of seedlings can be achieved by growing them in a greenhouse.

Pests and diseases

Among the main dangers of growing Crushed Heart tomatoes are fusarium wilt, which causes root and neck rot, as well as late blight and apical aphid, which cause brown spots and rapid destruction of not only the leaves and stems, but also the fruit itself.

To prevent dangerous diseases, you can use a soda solution (250 g per 8-9 liters of water) or a two-day garlic infusion (250-300 g of crushed garlic per 7-8 liters of water). Spraying should be done no earlier than 12-15 days after planting the tomato plants in their permanent location. A week later, the entire process should be repeated. Alternatively, a two-day celandine infusion is recommended, which requires 10 liters of water and at least 1-1.5 kg of chopped fresh celandine.

Fungicides are often used to control harmful insects. In this case, personal protective equipment is essential, and the treatment should be carried out no later than two weeks before the first harvest. If plants are grown in a greenhouse, spider mites are a dangerous pest. To prevent this, it's essential to thoroughly and regularly ventilate the room and maintain an optimal humidity level (around 50-60%). A three-day ash infusion, which requires sifted wood ash and clean water in a ratio of 1 to 10, is worth considering.

Reviews

Fedor Ivanovich, 68 years old

The "Crushed Heart" tomato variety has a difficult time with root pricking when transplanting from a container to permanent soil. This process must be carried out with extreme care, or you can stock up on small individual containers and start each seed individually. Another important point is to completely avoid cold drafts in the area where the tomato plants are growing, as this will stunt their development and eventually cause the plants to die.

Ekaterina Vasilievna, 48 years old

Onion and garlic peelings placed in the root hole near the tomato plants can help prevent fusarium and late blight. Seedlings should be grown in a warm, bright location, but out of direct sunlight. When staking, pay special attention to the clusters of ripening fruit and the possibility of using trellises to support the plants. Water the planted tomato plants, as well as the seedlings themselves, exclusively with warm water.