Description of the Red Coal tomato and its cultivation using seedlings

There are a wide variety of nightshade varieties. The Red Coal, Stone Flower, and Carbon tomato varieties are particularly popular among vegetable growers. These are large, dark-fruited tomatoes.

Red Coal tomatoes have a high content of a natural antioxidant. This substance increases resistance to cardiovascular disease and cancer, and improves vision.

• The Red Coal variety has a number of distinctive features: its size, unusual color, and flavor. However, it's easy to care for and tolerates harsh weather conditions.
• The original name of this variety is Red Charcoal. It is an exotic, high-yielding nightshade species.
• It is quite possible to grow such a tomato both in a greenhouse, hotbed, and in open ground.

First, you need to study the description of the variety and the recommendations provided by the manufacturer regarding cultivation and care.

Characteristics of the variety

The plant is indeterminate and reaches a height of 1.7-2 m. Experts recommend providing additional support and tying up branches bearing large fruits. The Red Coal variety requires pinching.

The plant has a well-developed root system and a strong, sturdy stem that requires shaping. The foliage is large, elongated, and dark green. The branches are spreading and long. Each branch may bear several clusters with numerous ovaries.

The first cluster forms above the sixth leaf. The inflorescence is regular. A cluster typically produces 6-7 fruits. The Krasny Ugol variety has good resistance to various fungi and pests. Thanks to its rapid growth and early ripening, the tomatoes avoid late blight.

Many gardeners apply one or two preventative pest control sprays throughout the season. It's important to avoid using such products after fruit formation and during ripening.

The Krasny Ugol variety has a high yield. It's quite possible to harvest up to 6 kg from a single bush per season with proper farming practices.

The characteristics of the fruits are as follows:

1. Red Coal tomatoes are considered to be one of the largest among dark-fruited varieties.
2. The smooth fruits are round. The skin is dense, shiny, and slightly ribbed.
3. Their color resembles smoldering coals. They are bright red at the bottom and almost blackish-purple at the top.
4. The average weight of one tomato of the Red Coal variety is about 150-200 g.
5. The tomatoes have an excellent flavor; the flesh is sweet, juicy, and aromatic, with a hint of fruit. They are perfect for fresh salads, juice, pasta, lecho, ketchup, and canning.
6. Tomatoes will keep for about 1 month, the main thing is to create suitable conditions for this, for example, in a cool and dry room.
7. Red Coal tomatoes do not lose their marketable appearance during long-distance transportation.

This variety is grown using seedlings.

Growing tomato seedlings

Sowing takes place in March or early April. The seeds are planted in a special soil mixture consisting of three components: turf soil, coarse sand without clay impurities, and peat.

The soil is poured into shallow boxes or special seedling containers and lightly compacted. The seeds are planted in holes no more than 2 cm deep and covered with peat and soil.

Immediately after sowing, the seedlings are watered with warm water and covered with a thick film. The container is placed in a warm place until the first sprouts emerge. Then, they are moved to a brighter spot and the film is removed from the container.

During the first week, the temperature in the room where the planting material is located is maintained within the range of +16…+18°C, then the temperature is increased to +20…+25°C.

Seedlings can be pricked out when two true leaves have appeared on the sprouts. It's best to use peat pots for planting seeds directly. The plants can then be planted in the soil along with their pots, without removing them or damaging their delicate roots.

Before planting, the beds must be fertilized with humus or a complex fertilizer containing potassium, nitrogen, and superphosphate. Red Coals tomato bushes are planted at a rate of 4-5 bushes per square meter.

The holes must be mulched with wood sawdust or dry mown grass. The Red Coal tomato variety doesn't require any special care. Regular watering, loosening the beds, and periodic application of mineral fertilizer are sufficient. To prevent the fruits from cracking, installing a mesh awning over the beds for artificial shade is recommended.

The Red Coal tomato variety receives nothing but positive reviews. It consistently produces an excellent, tasty harvest and is resilient to weather changes.