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Tomato Raspberry Elephant is a mid-early variety of universal purpose, which is suitable both for fresh consumption and for canning for the winter. The variety is recommended for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses, and the yield indicators are approximately the same in both cases.
Detailed description of the variety
Tomatoes Raspberry Elephant are classified as determinant varieties. This means that the fruiting and growth of plants are practically unlimited – the bushes continuously form young shoots, stretching up to an average of 1,5 m in height, in open ground. In greenhouse conditions, the height of tomatoes can reach 2 m.
The shape of the leaves depends on the manufacturer. For example, from the seeds of the Aelita agricultural company, tomatoes are obtained, the leaf plate of which resembles a potato leaf in appearance. Tomatoes with ordinary leaves grow from the planting material of the Gavrish company.
In one brush, from 5 to 7 tomatoes are formed. Since the fruits are quite heavy, the shoots can bend under them and even break. To prevent this from happening, 1-2 ovaries are usually removed, thereby lightening the overall weight of the brush.
Description and taste of fruits
The name of the Raspberry Elephant variety of tomatoes was based on the large size of the fruits of this variety. The weight of tomatoes varies on average from 300 to 600 g. Some reviews report that tomatoes can even grow in greenhouse conditions up to a record 800 g with proper care of the beds.
According to the description, Raspberry Elephant tomatoes are round in shape, but slightly flattened on top, as seen in the photo below. The color of the ripe fruits is red-crimson, saturated.
Tomato skin is thin, barely perceptible. This feature allows tomatoes to safely tolerate low temperatures and ripen in low light conditions, however, such lightness becomes a disadvantage if the variety is grown for sale – the fruits do not tolerate transportation over long distances, crumple, crack and do not retain their presentation for long. That is why they try to process the crop as quickly as possible, spending tomatoes on the manufacture of pastes, sauces and juices.
The soft structure of the fruit pulp and the harmonious taste are especially noted – moderately sweet, sugary, without pronounced sourness. Each fruit contains 6 to 8 chambers.
Characteristics of tomatoes Raspberry elephant
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are classified as mid-ripening species – its fruits fully ripen in 110-120 days from the moment the seeds are sown for seedlings. In regions with a warm climate, tomatoes are planted in open ground, while in the north of the country planting in greenhouses is preferable. It is also quite common to grow a variety under film shelters, since the large size of the bushes makes them vulnerable to strong winds. The yield of tomatoes Raspberry elephant is 5-6,5 kg per bush. If you regularly feed the plantings, this figure can be brought up to 7 kg of fruits per plant.
Raspberry Elephant Tomato is resistant to most tomato diseases, however, this does not mean that the bushes do not need to be treated for fungus and other infections. A particular danger to the variety is vertex rot. Early application of lime powder to the soil helps to reduce the risk of disease. Tomatoes are also sprayed with fungicides for preventive purposes.
The Raspberry Elephant rarely attracts pests. In case of damage to the beds by insects, the tomatoes are treated with any non-toxic insecticide.
Pros and cons of the variety
Based on the numerous reviews of summer residents, the following advantages of Raspberry Elephant tomatoes can be distinguished:
- variety resistance to most tomato diseases;
- high yields;
- attractive appearance;
- pleasant sugary taste of fruits;
- resistance to long periods of heat;
- immunity to light deficiency;
- simultaneous ripening of fruits.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- poor transportability due to the fact that the skin is too thin;
- low frost resistance;
- the need for quick processing of the crop – the fruits are not stored for a long time;
- exactingness to the regularity of watering;
- vulnerability to sudden changes in temperature.
Rules of landing and care
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are grown throughout Our Country, however, there are quite strict requirements regarding planting features. Tomatoes can be planted in open ground only in the south of the country, while in the Northern regions and in the middle zone, the cultivation of a variety is possible only in greenhouses and greenhouses using the seedling method. These designs are not available in every farm, so the variety is not so widespread, despite all its positive qualities.
Growing seedlings
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are grown mainly through seedlings. Do it according to the following scheme:
- The first step is to prepare the container for seedlings. To do this, use special plastic containers or wooden boxes. They are cleaned in a warm dry place.
- Next, you need to prepare a soil mixture from fertile soil and humus. If desired, soil for seedlings can be purchased at a gardening store.
- The soil is poured into containers and several furrows are formed on the surface of the soil with a depth of no more than 2 cm. The distance between the rows is 2-3 cm.
- Seeds are sown at the bottom of the resulting furrow, after which they are lightly sprinkled with earth.
- Then the planting material is moderately watered so as not to wash it off.
- The container is covered with glass or polyethylene film to increase the humidity of the air inside.
- When the first shoots appear, which happens about a week after sowing the seeds, the shelter is removed.
- With the formation of 3 full-fledged leaves, tomatoes dive into separate containers. This must be done before the seedlings form a developed root system.
- Before planting tomatoes in open ground, they must be hardened off without fail. To do this, the container with seedlings begins to be taken out into the street, gradually increasing the time spent in the open air.
Before transplanting into open ground, planting material is watered daily. Top dressing is carried out no more than 2 times a month, and only solutions can be used. Do not apply dry fertilizer.
Seedling transplant
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are transplanted into open ground when a stable temperature is established outside and the threat of return frosts has passed. The procedure for planting tomatoes is as follows:
- Dig holes with a depth of about 20-25 cm, focusing on the size of the root system of seedlings.
- At the bottom of the holes fall asleep rotted manure or humus.
- After that, containers with tomatoes are dipped in a solution of mullein. When the earth lump is saturated with fertilizer, the seedling is taken out of the container and placed in the hole.
- Tomatoes are lightly sprinkled with earth and moderately watered. The topsoil is not heavily compacted and watered again.
Care of tomatoes
Caring for tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety provides for basic procedures:
- timely loosening of the soil;
- weeding;
- regular watering;
- planting fertilizer.
Bushes are formed into one stem, otherwise the tomatoes will turn out to be small. To do this, you must carefully monitor the new stepchildren and remove them in time. Otherwise, all the forces of the plant will be spent on intensive shoot formation and a set of green mass.
Tomatoes of the Raspberry Elephant variety are moisture-loving plants, so the beds are often watered, at least 1 time in 5 days. At the same time, tomatoes should not be poured so as not to cause stagnation of moisture in the soil. Excess water in the soil provokes the development of late blight. If the variety is grown in a greenhouse, then it must be regularly ventilated, otherwise the air humidity will become excessive, which will not benefit the planting.
The tomato responds well to fertilizing. Fertilizers are applied at intervals of 10-12 days, and it is better to use organic fertilizers. For these purposes, a manure solution is suitable – 1 bucket of fertilizer per 100 liters of water. For each bush of tomatoes spend from 2 to 3 liters of solution. In early July, nitrogen fertilizing is limited.
Conclusion
Tomato Raspberry Elephant is one of the best varieties of salad orientation. It is relatively unpretentious in care and resistant to many diseases, however, in most of the country it can only be grown in greenhouses, which are not available to every summer resident. This restriction leaves an imprint on the prevalence of the variety in Our Country.
You can learn more about the appearance and weight of Raspberry Elephant tomatoes from the video below:
