- Authors: Reinhard Kraft, Germany
- Name synonyms: Reinhard's Chocolate Heart, Reinhard Kraft Chocolate Heart, Reinhard Kraft Chocolate Heart
- Category: grade
- Growth type: indeterminate
- Appointment: fresh consumption
- Ripening period: mid-season
- Ripening time, days: 110-120
- Growing conditions: for greenhouses
- Bush size: tall
- Bush height, cm: 160-180
Reinhard's Chocolate Heart tomatoes can become stable companions for any gardener. However, it is for this reason that they should be studied as clearly and competently as possible. The slightest mistakes in cultivation are completely unacceptable.
Description of the variety
This tomato was created by German breeders. The plant also has synonyms - Reinhard's Chocolate Heart, Reinhard Kraft Chocolate Heart, Reinhard Kraft Chocolate heart. It is worth emphasizing that this is precisely a variety for all botanical characteristics, and not a hybrid culture. Reinhard's Chocolate Heart is characterized by indeterminate development. Mostly this tomato is grown in greenhouses.
Also typical for him:
high height of the bushes;
the harmony of the bushes;
formation of foliage of the usual type.
The main qualities of the fruit
When ripe, the berries of Reinhardt's Chocolate Heart are chocolate-red in color. They are large and weigh on average 200-400 g. The fruits justify their name, they really resemble a heart. The brush develops from 3 to 5 tomatoes.
Taste characteristics
Sweetness is typical for this variety. It is not disturbed by any acid inclusions. The pulp is normally fleshy. Pay attention to its excellent juiciness. These fruits can at least compete with the crop of a number of recognized leaders.
Ripening and fruiting
The variety belongs to the mid-season tomato category. He can bear the first berries 110-120 days after he throws out the green seedlings. Fruiting will take a long time. Of course, in fact, this result will be influenced by both meteorological conditions and the right (or wrong) care for culture. Under favorable conditions, harvesting will be possible until frost.
Yield
This point is ignored in the official description. At the same time, it is mentioned on the forums that the plant bears great fruits. Unofficial sources mention that they can weigh 0.4-0.6 kg. But at least some figures for the total collection, even the most approximate ones, cannot be found anywhere in principle.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Tomato Reinhardt's Chocolate Heart belongs to the mid-season varieties. Therefore, in the absence of accurate information about the specific timing of the preparation of seedlings and planting in the greenhouse, you can focus on general points. It must be remembered that mid-ripening tomatoes reach maturity 105-115 days after germination. We'll have to add a few more days to this period for the formation of the seedlings themselves - and based on the figure obtained, select the moment strictly individually.
Growing tomato seedlings is an extremely important process, because it largely depends on whether the gardener can harvest at all. All aspects must be taken into account, from seedbed preparation to planting in the ground.
Landing scheme
This nuance is not mentioned in the official description. The order of planting bushes on the site will have to be selected experimentally.Most often, they are guided by 600x700 mm suitable for many tomatoes. But you must understand that this recommendation is not confirmed by the supplier of the planting material. Following it is at your own peril and risk.
Growing and care
Without the formation of bushes, it will be simply impossible to count on any decent result. Typically, Reinhardt's Chocolate Heart tomato is led in 1 or 2 stems. The choice between these options is determined by standard horticultural considerations. The moisture content of the seedlings cannot be higher than 60%. The optimum temperature at this moment is +17 degrees Celsius.
Top dressing is applied according to the usual schedule. Preference should be given to mineral complexes. You can mulch the beds not only with grass or straw, but also with black non-woven material. Both waterlogging and drying out of the soil should be avoided, but balance should be maintained. Growing in violation of the rules often turns into a black leg defeat.
A plant needs different micronutrients at each stage of growth. All fertilizers can be divided into two groups: mineral and organic. Folk remedies are often used: iodine, yeast, bird droppings, eggshells.
It is important to observe the rate and period of feeding. This also applies to folk remedies and organic fertilizers.
Review overview
In the assessments of gardeners, attention is drawn to the constant mention of the high quality of the fruits and their decent yield. These are strong plants with strong trunks, as summer residents usually write. Taste generally meets expectations. Many people like other varieties that are included in the line of "Reinhard's hearts". But this does not mean that growing crops can be taken lightly.
