The Tourmaline tomato is a pink-fruited variety. These tomatoes are distinguished not only by their beautiful color but also by their excellent taste.
General description of the variety
The Tourmaline tomato variety is a determinate variety that forms low bushes (70-100 cm) and self-tops after fruit set on the 5-6th cluster. With a mid-early ripening period, additional crops can be obtained from side shoots. Its fruiting pattern makes it suitable for growing in greenhouses and hotbeds, but it is primarily intended for open-field cultivation.
The plant is vigorous and prone to excessive lateral shoot formation. Based on feedback from vegetable growers, it is recommended to train the bush into 2-3 stems to prolong the harvest somewhat. When trained into a single stem, it bears fruit in early July and finishes its growing season quickly (within 3-4 weeks). Staking is mandatory.
The description of the Tourmaline variety notes the uniformity of the tomatoes in each cluster. The average fruit weight is approximately 170 g. The largest tomatoes in the first clusters can reach 200–220 g.
The yield is high. Each bush can yield up to 5 kg of marketable fruit. The Tourmaline variety is resistant to late blight and maintains a high fruiting capacity even in cold and rainy summers.
Features of the fruits of the Tourmaline variety
The tomatoes are round, flattened at the ends. Slight ribbing is noticeable near the stem, but below the shoulders, the surface becomes smooth and even. Ripe tomatoes have a beautiful gloss and a vibrant raspberry-pink color. Unripe Tourmalines have a dark green spot at the base of the fruit, but this disappears as they ripen.
The clusters contain 5-8 tomatoes of approximately the same size. Ovaries form from all the flowers, and the clusters are well-filled. In extremely hot weather (above 35°C), some flowers may remain unpollinated due to pollen sterilization. In greenhouse conditions, this tomato characteristic can reduce the variety's yield.
The skin is delicate, typical of all pink varieties. However, Tourmaline tomatoes are virtually immune to cracking, which can ruin some of the first harvest.
The tomato flesh is firm but not tough. It has a meaty texture, is juicy, and has a pleasant sweet flavor. In cool summers, Tourmaline tomatoes may acquire a slight tartness.
This variety's primary use is as a salad tomato. Its delicious and aromatic fruits are perfect for summer salads and gourmet appetizers, while the slices can be used for sandwiches and beautiful holiday platters. The perfect combination of flavor and color makes pink tomatoes ideal for sauces for Italian dishes.
Small tomatoes are best preserved whole. They retain their firmness and don't burst when heated, but for best results, choose well-colored, but not quite ripe, tomatoes.
Overripe and firm tomatoes are best for making tomato juice or puree for lecho. The pulp of such fruits releases more juice, leaving very little waste. When heated, the relatively light-colored tomato pulp acquires a rich hue, resulting in a vibrant-colored final product.
Agricultural technology of the Tourmaline variety
It's best to prepare the soil in the fall by adding rotted organic matter and wood ash (0.5 buckets per 1 m²). Dense, acidic soils should be limed by adding chalk, dolomite flour, and other minerals at a rate of 0.5-1 kg per 1 m².
The quality of the future harvest depends on the quality of the seedlings. To prevent the plants from becoming leggy, they should not be sown too early. The best time is 50-60 days before planting in their permanent location. Seeds germinate readily at a temperature of 25°C and high humidity, so after sowing, cover the container with glass and place it in a warm place.
When the seedlings appear, the glass should be removed and the box moved to cooler conditions. The average temperature at which Tourmaline tomatoes grow is +20 °C, but the root system of the plants must not be cooled. Even at night, the soil temperature should not fall below +16 °C.
When tomatoes reach 1-3 true leaves, transplant them into individual pots or boxes, using a 10x10 cm pattern. To obtain strong seedlings, transplant them three times, as the leaves close if they are growing in the same box. Pots can be simply moved further apart.
Before planting in the garden, harden off the tomatoes by placing them outdoors for 1-2 weeks, gradually increasing their duration. They can be planted in the garden after the last frost has passed. The planting pattern is 30x30 cm, with a gap of at least 70 cm between double rows.
Related posts:
What varieties of tomatoes are best to plant in a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Description of the best varieties of black tomatoes for open ground and greenhouses
The best tomato varieties for growing in the Leningrad region for greenhouses and open ground
Description of the best tomato varieties for open ground in the central zone
Description of the best tomato varieties for open ground and greenhouses in the Krasnodar region
The best and most productive tomato varieties for greenhouse cultivation in the Urals, with descriptions
Characteristics and description of pepper-shaped tomato varieties, yield and cultivation
How to choose the best tomato varieties for growing in Belarus
Hello! How many days does it take from planting to fruiting? Thanks in advance.