Characteristics and description of the Ashgabat Heart tomato, cultivation features

The Ashgabat Heart tomato was developed back in the 1960s by breeders in the Turkmen SSR. However, it was not officially registered until 1972. Since then, this tomato variety has gained many fans among gardeners, a number that grows every year.

Plant characteristics

Tomatoes of the Ashgabat Heart variety are mid-early, since the period between planting the seeds and receiving the first ripe fruit is about 100-110 days.

The description of the variety includes the following characteristic features:

• semi-derived plants that reach a height of 110-140 cm;
• the bushes are formed into 2-3 stems and need to be tied to a support;
• it is necessary to carry out pinching;
• the yield of 1 bush is 6-7 kg (about 30 kg per 1 m²);
• optimal planting density is 4-5 bushes per 1 m²;
• Tomatoes can be stored for a long time and have high transportability.

Tomatoes of this variety can be grown in any conditions (in greenhouses and open ground).

The Ashgabat Heart tomato has distinctive bright yellow fruits, reminiscent of a golden heart. Each tomato can weigh up to 250-350 g. First-harvest tomatoes can weigh between 400 and 600 g. The fruits have 6-7 chambers, with a dry matter content of no more than 6%.

Ashgabat Heart tomatoes are primarily eaten fresh. However, even processed tomatoes retain their beneficial properties. For example, juices made from these golden-yellow tomatoes are very beneficial. Tomatoes of this color can be consumed by people on a diet or those allergic to red foods.

For canning, it is better to use small tomatoes, leaving larger ones for barrel pickling.

Pros and cons of the variety

The main advantages of the Ashgabat Heart variety are the taste of the fruit, the plant's resistance to various diseases, including fungal ones, and consistently high yields.

The variety's characteristics and description include many advantages, but it also has some drawbacks. For example, the plant is very sensitive to low temperatures and sudden changes in temperature. The same can be said about light conditions.

The Ashgabat Heart tomato is very demanding when it comes to fertilizers and supplements, which should be added regularly at all stages of growth and in the required volume.

Some tips for growing

Growing the Ashgabat Heart tomato doesn't require any particularly complex agricultural skills, making it recommended for beginning gardeners. However, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind if choosing this variety.

They are as follows:

1. This variety is recommended for planting in open ground only in southern regions. In other parts of the country, it's best to plant the plants in greenhouses.
2. Tomato seeds are sown 60-65 days before the planned transplantation to a permanent location.
3. Since the fruits of this variety are quite heavy, they can break off branches, so the stems must be tied up.
4. Plants require a proper watering regime and regular ventilation of the area.
5. Loosening and weeding the soil will help reduce the risk of pests such as aphids and mole crickets.

To combat harmful insects such as aphids and thrips, it is recommended to use the Zubr product. For open ground, you can use water with added mustard or ground pepper to combat pests (1 tablespoon per 10 liters).

Gardeners' reviews indicate that once the Ashgabat Heart tomato variety appears in a plot, it will remain there for many years.