Red Pearl Tomato: Characteristics and Description of the Variety, Yield, and Photos

Cherry tomato lovers should consider the Red Pearl tomato variety. This tomato not only has an attractive appearance but also allows gardeners to enjoy the excellent taste of high-quality fruit.

When considering the characteristics of the Red Pearl variety, it's noted that the plant is easy to care for. You don't need to own a plot of land or build a greenhouse to try growing your own tomato crop. Red Pearl also produces fruit beautifully in garden pots, meaning it can be planted indoors.

Description of the variety

This is an early-ripening tomato, whose bushes are characterized as standard, hybrid, and determinate. To harvest the first ripe fruits, a farmer only needs to wait 85 days from sowing.

The plant is small, reaching a maximum height of 40 cm. The versatility of Black Pearl's growing conditions allows it to compete with the popular "Balcony Miracle" tomato. Additionally, this variety has good resistance to diseases and temperature fluctuations.

This hybrid plant is the fruit of the labors of Ukrainian breeders, who in the early 2000s introduced farmers to new compact fruits with a distinctive, unique flavor and cherry-like appearance. The variety was registered in Russia several years later. Almost immediately, it captured the attention of many farmers. The popularity of the Red Pearl in Russia is due to the variety's ability to produce large harvests.

At biological maturity, the fruits of the Red Pearl turn red. Their color is rich and their shape is perfectly round. The surface of the tomatoes is ribbed, even at the stem. Each fruit weighs between 20 and 40 grams, typical of many cherry tomatoes. Each tomato has a pair of seed chambers. The dry matter content is 6%.

Experts recommend eating the Red Pearl variety fresh or using it to create vitamin-rich salads. This tomato variety is unsuitable for commercial cultivation due to its poor shelf life. Furthermore, it's unrealistic to expect the harvest to survive long transportation. The fruit's skin isn't thick enough to protect the flesh from mechanical damage.

Although Red Pearl tomatoes don't transport well, they handle heat well. This means they can be used for canning. Many farmers enjoy growing this tomato for processing. Their ideal sugar balance allows them to be used to create delicious, healthy juices and purees.

Gardeners have nothing to worry about in terms of yield. With proper care, they can harvest 2-4 kg of fruit per plant. However, the most important requirements remain proper care and an appropriate planting density—no more than four plants per square meter. Farmers who use additional yield-boosting methods achieve yields of up to 6 kg per plant. For cherry tomatoes, this is a good result. Considering the compact size of the plant, this figure can safely be considered high.

Landing rules

Seedling sowing should be planned 45-50 days before transplantation. It's important for farmers to consider weather conditions if growing outdoors. More than two weeks should have passed since the last frost.

To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to sow slightly more tomatoes than you actually plan to grow. This allows you to select the strongest plants when replanting and protect yourself from damage if some young plants are damaged.

During the seedling period, ensure the sprouts maintain a stable temperature of no less than 18 degrees Celsius but no more than 27 degrees Celsius. Any fluctuations outside these limits can affect the subsequent growth and health of the tomatoes.

Fertilizing should be avoided during this time. It's better to use high-quality soil with added fertilizers and additives to improve the soil's drainage.

Watering should be moderate to keep the top layer of soil in the pot moist. Light quantity is also important. Plants should be exposed to light for at least 6 hours per day. If using artificial lighting, the lamps should be left on for at least 8-10 hours.

Before transplanting, the bed is carefully cultivated and dug. Fertilizer is always added. If necessary, you can plant Red Pearl tomatoes using the deep planting method, removing a couple of the seedlings' permanent leaves. However, this method of strengthening the plant should only be used by experienced growers.

Care

1. Growing Red Pearl tomatoes doesn't require much effort or energy. A big plus for many is that they don't need to train multiple stems.
2. As with other heat-loving crops, irrigation should be regular. Tomatoes should always be watered under the bush. Overhead irrigation increases the risk of developing a number of diseases.
3. After each watering, it's advisable to loosen the soil to maximize air exchange and promote normal root development. It's a well-known fact that the larger the tomato root system, the greater the chance the plant will survive periods of unfavorable weather.
4. Red Pearl is undemanding in terms of fertilization. It responds equally well to both organic and mineral fertilizers. Hilling is also recommended if necessary.

Diseases and pests

Red Pearl rarely suffers from fungal diseases. Fortunately for many farmers, the crop has a high immunity to these diseases. Many problems that can develop in this variety are most often related to improper care or nutrient and micronutrient deficiencies. Using the right fertilizers, proper lighting, and proper watering can help prevent many diseases.

Aphids and thrips can sometimes be seen on Red Pearl tomato plants. These pests can be controlled using commercial pesticides, such as "Zubr." Alternatively, you can try folk remedies and herbal infusions. Both methods allow you to quickly eliminate the infestation and prevent recurrence.

Reviews

Maxim:

I have extensive experience growing cherry tomatoes. I can't say that Red Pearl is the best. But for certain reasons, it has become my favorite. Despite being a hybrid, the fruit has a rich flavor and a tomato-like aroma. And the plants' resistance to disease triggers is a subject we can talk about forever.

Alena:

I completely understand those who choose the Red Pearl variety for growing on their balconies. It's a truly reliable plant that regularly produces a large number of neat, beautiful, and, most importantly, delicious fruits.

Vitaly:

The soil quality in the garden bed was poor. Frankly, I didn't have time to work on the soil. I planted Red Pearl tomatoes and didn't expect much. I was amazed that the bushes bore fruit so abundantly and for so long.

Alexey:

I appreciated the Red Pearl variety's resistance to various diseases. As a tomato newbie, I was worried about encountering serious tomato diseases and losing my harvest. But with such a reliable plant, there's no reason to worry.