Tomato Orange Elephant

The standard color of tomatoes is red. However, today varieties that surprise with a yellow or orange color are widespread. Breeders have developed a considerable number of such vegetable varieties. One of them is the Orange Elephant tomato, which has taken root remarkably in different regions of Russia.

It is desirable to grow the variety in greenhouses. So the bushes will feel comfortable and will delight you with a stable harvest. Determinant plants reach a height of 70-100 centimeters. Leaves are light green, medium in size. Ripe tomatoes are most often consumed fresh, without processing. In warm regions, the variety can be cultivated in open soil. The inflorescences are simple.

Unripe green tomatoes, as they ripen, change their color to rich orange. The size is large. The weight varies from 250 to 300 grams. The shape is standard round. The pulp is medium in density. The vegetables are covered with a glossy peel. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as carotene. All these components have a positive effect on the general condition of the body and the immune system.

Fruits can be stored for a long time without loss of taste and attractive appearance. Despite the recommendation to enjoy the taste of fresh tomatoes, you can make an appetizing juice or sauce from them. They are also great for salads or appetizers. Due to their large size, it is inconvenient to preserve them entirely. Some housewives prepare fragrant felted tomatoes from them.

Whole ripe tomatoes are sweet and juicy. The gastronomic quality is high.

The Orange Elephant variety belongs to mid-season crops. The ripening period for tomatoes is 110-120 days.

The yield is high. From a square meter of a garden bed, 6.9 kilograms of delicious vegetables are obtained. One bush can form up to 2-3 kilograms of tomatoes. Fruiting is strongly influenced by growing conditions.

In the period from late March to early April, seeds are sown for seedlings. At the end of May or in early June, seedlings begin to be transferred to a permanent growing site. The exact sowing date depends on the place of cultivation of the variety and the climate in the region.

When using seed that was harvested with his own hand, it is processed. The grains are soaked in a manganese solution (1%). All floating seeds are discarded.

The seed is germinated in a warm and dark room. After the formation of the first shoots, the container with seedlings is transferred to the sun, but to a cooler place. The soil should be moderately moist. High humidity will provoke the development of rot and fungus. They irrigate the ground as it dries up. The pick is started after the formation of two true leaves.

After this procedure, certain conditions must be met. The temperature during the day should not exceed 20-23 degrees, and at night - 15-18 degrees. After 7 days, the seedlings begin to rapidly develop the root system. At this stage, it is important to provide the bushes with enough light. Natural sunlight works best.Otherwise, additional light sources are used.

The most common landing pattern is 40-60 centimeters. Some gardeners prefer to place no more than two bushes on a square meter of land. This arrangement will provide each plant with the necessary amount of sunlight and oxygen.

Tomato shoots are tied up so that they do not lean to the ground under the weight of the tomatoes and do not break. Also, additional supports will not allow plants to interfere with each other.

You need to plant the bushes in pre-prepared soil. The soil is cleaned of weeds, fertilized and watered. After that, a digging is carried out. It is important to consider the acidity level, since the variety does not like acidic soil. In clay soil, it also grows poorly and a rich harvest should not be expected.

The following factors strongly influence the yield:

• weeding bushes;
• regular irrigation;
• feeding.

Tomatoes are watered at least 2 times a week. It is important not to flood the bushes so as not to harm the root system. Water is poured in carefully, at the root. It is undesirable to get moisture on shoots and leaves during daylight hours. Leaves are periodically sprayed. Use only clean water at room temperature. It is desirable to defend it for several days. Experienced gardeners recommend collecting water in special containers and use, if necessary, through sprinklers.

The soil is fertilized with nutrients not only until the plant is planted, but also as they develop. Especially tomatoes need fertilization during the ripening of the crop. A portion of the dressing is applied under the root or next to it. The following substances are most often used: manure, chicken droppings, humus, nitrogen, mineral compounds, ammonium nitrate. Fertilize tomatoes in the early morning or evening.

Caring for the Orange Elephant variety requires regular disposal of weeds. They are removed along with the root so that they do not grow again. Excess plants take nutrients from the soil that are necessary for vegetable crops.

The rest of the rules of agricultural technology.

• Bushes form into 1 or 2 stems. So it will be convenient to care for the plants and examine them for symptoms of diseases. Also, the formation contributes to regular and abundant fruiting.
• To control weeds, many gardeners cover the soil with a layer of mulch. Chopped grass or peat is great - over time, organic matter decays and saturates the earth. Mulching also helps maintain optimal moisture levels and prevents dry crust formation on the surface.
• The root system, like the rest of the plant, needs oxygen. For this reason, the ground around the bushes is loosened.
• In order for the fruits to be of the maximum size and to please with excellent taste characteristics, stepchildren must be regularly removed. The plant spends a lot of energy on the formation of lateral processes.The procedure is carried out after watering, preferably early in the morning.
• Flower brushes are also thinned out. From 3 to 4 buds are left on the first fruit brushes.