Stone Flower Tomato: Variety Characteristics (Photo)

Tomatoes

The homeland of this tomato, and indeed most tomato varieties, is America. In Western European countries, this plant was long believed to be poisonous and unfit for consumption. However, this myth was subsequently dispelled, and tomato cultivation became widespread. Among them is a tomato variety developed in Bulgaria.

This variety appeared in Russia much later, but remains widely popular. Many note that planting and care require little attention from gardeners. Russian farmers have encountered no particular difficulties growing this variety.

Characteristics and description of the "Stone Flower" variety

A tomato variety like "Stone Flower" is quite difficult to describe in detail. Recently, such a wide variety of tomatoes have been bred, all similar in taste and cultivation principles, that it's becoming difficult to identify any characteristics that would stand out among other tomatoes.

However, despite the fact that this variety has very few distinctive qualities that would make it stand out from the others, the “Stone Flower” still has its own “zest” that is unique to it.

If you follow all the growing techniques for this variety, you can expect a good harvest. Furthermore, these tomatoes withstand long-term storage and transportation well.

"Stone Flower" is a tomato variety whose stems and leaves continually grow. For this reason, the plant often reaches a height of one and a half meters or more above the ground. This characteristic of this variety means that the plant will need to be pruned periodically, and its stems will need to be properly supported.

The fruit of this variety appears smooth and without any noticeable roughness on the skin. The tomato is a classic red color, and each fruit weighs approximately 200–250 g, although some specimens can reach 300 g or even 400 g. This typically occurs with regular watering, feeding, and providing the most favorable conditions for growth and fruiting. The taste of this tomato is similar to other varieties, with a sweet and sour flavor.

Productivity of the Stone Flower variety

As a rule, the key indicator of any agricultural crop is its yield. Regarding this variety, it's worth noting that with proper care and proper agricultural practices, the "Stone Flower" produces a bountiful and excellent-quality harvest. Experts call this variety high-yielding, as up to 15 tomatoes can be found on a single bush.

In this case, harvesting isn't that difficult; you just need to follow basic procedures that need to be carried out in a timely manner. These primarily include proper planting techniques, maintaining the right temperature, and regular watering.

Under these conditions, a single bush can produce up to 4–5 kg of tomatoes. Furthermore, up to 20 kg of fruit can be harvested from 1 square meter in a single season.

Which regions are most favorable for growing the Stone Flower variety?

This variety is native to Bulgaria, but it's not the only country with favorable growing conditions for the "Stone Flower" tomato. Many professional gardeners claim that this variety can also be grown in many regions of Western Europe, as well as in Russia. Bulgaria's climate isn't the only one where the "Stone Flower" can produce well. This tomato variety is typically grown in the northern regions of our country, as well as in central Russia.

Although the plant is unpretentious and quickly adapts to new conditions, it is still necessary to use special films to cover the plant to protect it from possible frost.

Important! Also, during cold periods, this variety can be grown in greenhouses, in which it will also be necessary to maintain the temperature.

Features of growing the "Stone Flower" variety and methods of caring for it

No matter how good a tomato variety's characteristics promise a harvest, it can only be achieved if all necessary work is carried out correctly, as well as if the seeds of this plant are pre-treated.

When growing the "Stone Flower" tomato variety, certain rules must be followed. To maximize the yield of the "Stone Flower" tomato, water and support the plants regularly. Soil preparation, increasing its fertility, and adding special fertilizers to improve soil properties or reduce acidity are also important. Careful attention must be paid to ensuring the seedlings are planted correctly.

Note! It's best to dry seeds from a previous harvest and then plant them a second time in the same soil. These seeds have already adapted to the specific soil conditions and have a certain immunity, so the plants grown from this batch of seeds are more likely to produce an excellent harvest.

What are the planting times for seedlings?

"Stone Flower" tomatoes are mid-season, so it's best to wait until they're fully ripe. However, if planting directly in open ground, you'll need to prepare the seeds several months in advance. This variety can also be planted in a greenhouse, but seedlings should be started well in advance.

To improve the future plant's properties, it is recommended to soak tomato seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate. To increase the fertility of the soil where you plan to plant, you should bake it in an oven. When it's time to plant, make small holes and place the seeds in them. Then, cover the seeds with a special film to create the necessary microclimate inside. Once the first few small leaves appear, you can transplant the plant. At this stage, the plant is ready for outdoor planting.

If you prefer to buy seeds, be sure to pay special attention to their quality. On Russian websites specializing in the supply of plant seeds of various varieties, you can not only order high-quality products but also see which varieties produce the most fruit.

How quickly does the Stone Flower tomato ripen?

After planting, it takes about three months for this tomato variety to fully ripen. This variety can be planted in a greenhouse as early as mid-May, but if planting outdoors, it's best to do so in early June. No more than four plants should be planted per square meter, as the branches of these tomatoes are quite spreading and require a fair amount of space.

Interesting! If the stems are too long, don't trim them. It's best to drape a long branch over the crossbar and bend it at a 45-degree angle. Then secure it in place and leave it in that position.

Fertilizing the Stone Flower tomato variety

Before selecting the necessary fertilizers, it's important to consider certain soil characteristics and the climate conditions in which the tomato variety grows. Fertilizing the plant should be done as follows:

A week and a half after planting, the soil must be enriched with natural nutrients, the most popular of which is bird droppings.

However, before this, the soil must be mulched.

After two weeks from the time the ovaries have formed, it is necessary to add fertilizer to the soil.
It consists of chicken manure, a solution of manganese and copper sulfate.
At the harvest stage, it is necessary to apply fertilizer in the amount of 2.5 liters.

Pinching out the plant's side shoots

After the first flowering, the plants need to be carefully trained. This is essential, as if left unchecked, the plant will devote all its energy to nourishing the green leaves rather than growing and strengthening the fruit.

The "Stone Flower" tomato variety produces new shoots throughout its growth cycle. The side shoots develop especially vigorously, and they require the most attention. To ensure a good harvest, side shoots must be pinched.

It is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

If the plant is grown in central Russia, shoots typically begin to grow actively around midsummer, but they don't have time to properly form and mature. For this reason, it's recommended to simply trim off any excess lateral shoots. Experienced gardeners also recommend pinching off the areas where lateral shoots are most active, so the plant doesn't waste energy and nutrients on their growth.
When growing the plant in central Russia, it's important to leave several stems on each bush. If you plan to leave only one stem per bush, it's best to plant the "Stone Flower" tomato seedlings as close together as possible.

This unusual variety is a favorite among many lovers of this delicious vegetable. Growing it doesn't require much labor or time. Due to its easy care, even a novice gardener with little experience can grow this tomato variety.

Reviews of the Stone Flower tomato

Reviews of this tomato variety are quite varied.

Irina Konstantinovna, 64 years old. Saratov region:

"I love constantly experimenting in the garden. So, I often try to plant unusual varieties. I enjoy growing tomatoes, and I decided to try the 'Stone Flower' variety. It didn't cause me any trouble; growing it was a joy! Next year I'll be planting only this one."

Elena Serafimovna, 43 years old. Reutov, Moscow region:

"The tomato has a very pleasant fresh aroma, but I didn't detect any interesting flavors that are usually found in other tomato varieties. However, the fruits grew quite large, more than enough for the whole family, and there was still some left over for canning. I think I'll plant it again next year. I've already prepared the seeds."