Tomato "Pink Elephant": characteristics and description of the variety

Pink tomatoes are a recognized favorite among gardeners, as they are considered to be superior in flavor to red tomatoes. This is confirmed by the popularity of the Pink Elephant variety, which combines excellent flavor with large fruit size. A description of the variety, as well as the features of its agricultural technology, will be presented in the article.

A giant in the garden

This variety is distinguished by its vigorous growth habit and spreading lateral shoots. It grows to 1.4-1.6 meters, so support and staking are essential.

This semi-determinate tomato has a growing point and requires no pinching. It has medium foliage, with small, potato-like leaf blades. Its color is rich green.

The number of brushes varies, topping occurs at any time, so it is advisable to grow the bush in two stems.

The first cluster appears above the 7th leaf, and then inflorescences form every two leaves. Each inflorescence produces 3-4 fruits.

The tomatoes are fleshy and large, ripening to a crimson raspberry color. They average 300-500 grams in weight, but with proper cultivation practices, they can reach 800-1000 grams. They are round, slightly flat, and ribbed at the stem. The skin is thin but firm, and the flesh is very juicy and sweet, with few seeds.

According to reviews from those who have grown this tomato, the pink fruits have excellent flavor, with no tartness. They are primarily used in salads and fresh eating. These tomatoes are also suitable for making lecho (a stew) and canning in slices. When marinated, the cut tomatoes retain their shape and retain their wonderful flavor. Pink tomatoes are used to make juice, sauces, and pastes, but not everyone appreciates the overly sweet taste of tomato products.

The shelf life of such large tomatoes is poor and they are not very suitable for transportation.

In terms of ripening time, it is a mid-early tomato; the fruits can be harvested 113-115 days after emergence.

Advantages and disadvantages

Included in the State Register of Russian Varieties in 1998, the tomato with the interesting name Pink Elephant is successfully grown in various regions of the country. It is prized for a number of positive qualities:

• excellent taste and sweetness of tomatoes;
• high commercial properties;
• large-fruited;
• possibility of growing in beds and greenhouses;
• mid-early ripening period (important for regions with a harsh climate);
• resistance to major diseases (late blight, fusarium and a number of others);
• The variety is rarely affected by pests, which makes care much easier.

At the same time, it is necessary to take into account some of the disadvantages of large-fruited tomatoes:

• average yields (5-8 kg per square meter);
• demanding lighting and enhanced nutrition;
• the need for mandatory bush formation and pinching;
• The variety is not suitable for storage; the fruits must be immediately used for food or processed.

Whether these are considered disadvantages or attributes to the variety's unique characteristics is a personal decision. But overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, which explains this variety's popularity.

Gardeners' reviews of the Pink Elephant tomato

Zinaida, Perm Krai

I've been growing Pink Elephant tomatoes for three years in a row. I got the seeds from Aelita, but now I'm using my own. The package photo shows a very bright pink tomato, but mine is paler in color.

Otherwise, everything is as described – the yield, while average, is perfectly fine for us, the flavor is excellent, and the weight is 400 grams. Some fruits are smaller, but most are around this weight. They don't store well, so use them straight away in salads. When cut, they're sweet, and the tartness is noticeable, but very subtle.

Elena, Moscow region

I really like the Pink Elephant variety; I forgive its not-so-great yield and sprawling bush. It grows very vigorously in my greenhouse. It's easy to grow, so I always buy my own seeds now.

I plant five bushes each, for myself for salads and to share with family and friends. The tomatoes weigh 35,420 grams each. I usually grow them in two stems. I don't fertilize them with anything special, just ash and organic matter (whatever I can find in season).

Tatyana, Uglich

I plant Pink Elephant in beds, always tying the bushes with wooden stakes. I have a lot of this tomato, up to 20 plants. The yields are average, but I've come to terms with that; I get by with the number of plants. They're very tasty tomatoes, the very best for me. Pink Honey is similar, but a bit bland for me, whereas Elephant is just right. I bought seeds from different companies, and there were no mix-ups. This year I made my own, and I'll try them.

Growing the Pink Elephant tomato

The cultivation techniques for this tomato variety are standard, but some subtleties are important to understand. For example, those who want larger fruits will need to train the clusters and carefully consider the fertilizing and watering schedule.

Growing seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings is in March, taking into account that in May (the dates are chosen based on weather conditions and the local climate) the tomatoes will be planted in a permanent location.

The seedlings are provided with comfortable conditions for growth:

• optimal temperature conditions (+22ºC…+24ºC);
• good lighting;
• nutrition (after picking, 1-2 additional feedings are carried out);
• moderate watering.

To prevent blackleg, water tomato seedlings only at the roots with warm water, avoiding excess moisture. Add a few crystals of potassium permanganate to the water.

Hardening off is a necessary procedure for seedlings, allowing them to adapt more quickly to new conditions after planting. Tomatoes are brought outside (weather permitting), leaving them there for 15-20 minutes at first, then throughout the day until evening.

Planting tomatoes

In all regions except the south, it's recommended to grow the Pink Elephant in a greenhouse. However, gardeners in the central part of the country report successful experiences growing this tomato in garden beds, noting that the fruits are much sweeter and tastier.

Planting time is May or early June. Vigorous bushes require space, so the planting pattern is 2-3 plants per square meter. Trellis are immediately prepared for support in the greenhouse, and stakes are placed in the beds.

Care: Basic Techniques

To get a good harvest you need:

• abundant, rare watering;
• complete feeding;
• removal of stepsons;
• tomato bush formation;
• Carrying out preventive treatments against various infections and protection against insects.

Most often, this variety is grown on a single stem, removing all side shoots. It also thrives when grown on two stems, with a strong side shoot left under the first inflorescence. All other shoots are removed, and the leaves at the base of the stem are also removed. Pink Elephant is side-sucked in the morning to prevent infection.

The stems, branches, and, during the fruiting season, the flower clusters are tied up. The weight of the fruit is significant, so there's a risk of the shoots breaking, so supports are also installed under the tomato clusters.

It's impossible to grow large, fleshy fruits without fertilizing. Typically, Pink Elephant tomatoes are fertilized at least 3-4 times per season, using:

• organic matter (diluted mullein, bird droppings) – 18-20 days after planting;
• at the beginning of flowering – organic matter and wood ash;
• when the formation of ovaries begins (superphosphate, wood ash or complex fertilizers);
• during the fruiting period (superphosphate, potassium sulfate).

Excellent results are achieved by watering this tomato with yeast infusion, green "cocktails" (infusion of fermented grass), and humates. Nitrophoska is used as a complex fertilizer.

After watering, it's essential to loosen the soil around the plants and ventilate them (if they're grown in a greenhouse). Mulching can replace loosening, which will ensure optimal soil moisture levels and prevent over-drying or over-watering.

What to use for mulch? The following will work:

• hay;
• straw;
• grass mown and slightly "dried" in the sun;
• sawdust (preferably scalded with boiling water);
• peat or rotted compost.

Tomatoes should be watered infrequently but generously, thoroughly soaking the top layers of soil. The water should be warm, from a well, lake, pond, or borehole—it doesn't matter, but it should be settled and heated.

Avoid watering the leaves, as this will increase humidity and lead to possible infections.

Pink Elephant is disease-resistant, but general tomato growing guidelines should be followed. Recommendations:

• plant plants exactly according to the plan, avoiding dense plantings;
• remove all plant debris from the area and dig the soil deeply in the fall;
• avoid planting tomatoes next to related crops (for example, potatoes);
• spray the bushes with infusions of garlic, whey, and ash;
• use Bordeaux mixture for treatment (1%), Fitosporin preparation;
• Do not exceed the dose of fertilizers when fertilizing.

The fruits are harvested as soon as they reach the size and weight appropriate for the variety. There's no need to wait for tomatoes to fully ripen on the vine; they'll ripen indoors. However, it's important to keep in mind that vine-ripened tomatoes taste better, and while the yield may be slightly lower, you'll still get a very high-quality product.

Once harvested, the Pink Elephant fruits are immediately used for food or processing.

The Pink Elephant variety has a good taste for its large-fruited tomatoes and is considered one of the best salad tomatoes.