Small, neat tomatoes look beautiful in jars. But gardeners also love growing larger tomato varieties. They're not suitable for canning, but they have juicy flesh and a unique flavor. One such variety is the Ox Heart tomato. Its fruits hang from the bush like large hearts, making them perfect for delicious salads.
Description of the variety
This tomato variety was developed in 2000 by Russian breeders. It was added to the State Register that same year. Ox Heart is a late-ripening tomato, so in northern regions it can only be grown in a greenhouse, where it reaches its biological maturity.
Ox Heart tomatoes have the following characteristics:
- the bush is formed according to the indeterminate type, its height reaches 1.7 m in open ground and 2 m in a greenhouse;
- the first harvest is collected 110-120 days after the sprouts appear;
- The bush usually has a few medium-sized leaves;
- the bush has a powerful root system, which grows in width to 2.5 m, in depth - to 1 m;
- The yield of the Ox's Heart is low: in a greenhouse, you can collect up to 11 kg of fruit from one bush, while in open ground this figure does not exceed 7 kg;
- the first ovary is formed above the 7-9th leaf, there can be up to five tomatoes in one brush;
- On average, the fruits of this variety weigh 350 g, the lower fruits are larger and heavier than the upper ones and can reach 900-1000 g;
- the fruits are pinkish-red in color and heart-shaped;
- The pulp of the Ox Heart tomatoes is sugary, tasty and aromatic.
Subspecies of the variety
The Volovye Serdtse variety has two subspecies: Minusinskoye and Polosatoye. The former was developed by traditional breeders. It differs from the main variety in its earlier ripening time and fruit size. The Minusinskoye subspecies produces smaller fruits.
Striped Heart tomatoes are easy to recognize by their appearance. The fruits of this subspecies are golden-pink with visible yellowish-green stripes. This subspecies is mid-season. The tomatoes are small, but sweet and delicious. Their compact size makes them suitable for whole canning. Striped Ox Heart tomatoes grow up to 1.3 m tall. They are also trained with a maximum of two stems.
Growing
Oxheart tomatoes reward gardeners for good care and attention. Growing these tomatoes requires specific guidelines. They prefer well-warmed soil with sufficient essential micronutrients.
Seeds for germination are sown in early March. Before sowing, they are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and rinsed in clean water. A 2-cm deep soil depth is sufficient. Seedlings emerge rapidly in good light and a stable temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.
A draft-free environment is essential for growing strong and healthy seedlings. Water the seedlings infrequently but generously. For better germination, cover the seedling containers with plastic film.
Once two full-sized leaves have emerged, the seedlings are pricked out. They should not be grown in crowded conditions. Healthy seedlings are transplanted into individual pots.
Tomatoes are planted in the ground at 55-60 days of age. Before planting, harden off the seedlings by placing the containers outside or on the balcony daily. Hardening off begins with a few hours, gradually increasing the time.
These tomato plants have branched and voluminous bushes, so when planting them in their permanent location, it's recommended to space them in a 50 x 70 pattern. Tomatoes are planted when the May days are consistently warm. Ideally, the soil should warm to 17 degrees Celsius. If you plan to grow the crop in a greenhouse with additional heating, transplant the seedlings after April 20.
Not recommended for cultivation tomatoes in the same place annually. Peas, onions, radishes, and carrots are the best precursors for these tomatoes. It's important that the tomato plants receive consistent sunlight.
Care Features
The Ox Heart tomato variety requires careful care. The bushes require regular shaping and pinching (removing unwanted foliage). They also need to be tied up regularly. Trellis work well as supports, but wooden stakes can also be used.
Grow the bush with one or two stems. Remove not only the side shoots but also any excess ovaries. It is recommended to leave no more than 7-8 clusters. Otherwise, the tomatoes will be small and not very tasty. Remove excess shoots no more than a few centimeters long.
Over the summer, tomatoes should be fertilized with mineral and organic fertilizers 3 or 4 times. Nitrogen-rich or potassium-phosphorus-rich fertilizers are excellent for this purpose.
The Ox Heart tomato variety is a moisture-loving crop. Water the plants every three days with warm water, and daily in hot weather. Avoid allowing the soil to dry out. Mulching and removing lower leaves will improve air circulation. Timely weeding and loosening the soil will improve the yield.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ox Heart is considered a rather specific variety. Achieving the desired harvest requires considerable effort. Gardeners have mixed reviews about this variety, but everyone notes its distinct advantages. Pros:
- The tomato is a cultivar, not a hybrid. Therefore, any gardener can collect and prepare seeds for the next season themselves.
- This variety is popular with tomato lovers for its rich, sweet taste and large, heart-shaped fruits.
- The plant is characterized by strong immunity to diseases typical for this crop.
Cons:
- The bushes require additional care: pinching, tying and other manipulations.
- Due to their large size, the fruits are not suitable for canning; their main purpose is salads and juice.
- It can be grown in open ground only in the southern regions.
Pests and diseases
The variety is considered resistant to various pests and diseases, including late blight. However, preventative measures are a good idea. The bushes can be treated with specialized products available from the store.
Bordeaux mixture has a good preventative effect. It should be applied before the plants begin to bloom.
Harvesting and storage
Tomatoes of this variety are distinguished by their excellent marketability. Their skins do not crack, and they withstand transportation over any distance.
According to reviews from enthusiasts, Ox Heart tomatoes don't store well for long periods of time. Therefore, it's recommended to consume them as soon as possible after harvest. They can be used not only in salads, but also in pastes, juices, and purees.
The difference between Ox heart and Bull heart
The Volovye Serdtse tomato variety resembles the Bychye Serdtse tomato in appearance and taste. However, experienced gardeners can easily distinguish the two varieties by their distinctive characteristics:
- Bull's heart is considered a mid-season crop, while its relative ripens later.
- The species differ from each other in size: the Bull's Heart bushes are shorter.
- Bull's Heart tomatoes can range in color from yellow to black. The second variety has a standard pinkish color, sometimes with stripes.
- Juice from Bull's Heart tomatoes turns out tastier.
Gardeners' reviews
Despite mixed reviews from gardeners about their experiences growing heart-shaped tomatoes, their popularity remains high. Gardeners use this tomato to prepare delicious dishes, and breeders are using it to develop new large-fruited hybrid varieties.
Gardeners often complain about the bushes' yield or the taste of the fruit. Growing heart-shaped fruits depends on following proper agricultural practices. With proper care, Ox's Heart produces a delicious and bountiful harvest for caring gardeners.
Those who have grown these tomatoes in their gardens praise the variety's taste, yield, and resistance to pathogens. Ripening can be described as gradual. Experienced gardeners recommend the following pest control measures: around the beds. Marigolds or mustard are planted with tomatoes.
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These tomatoes have a distinct aroma and flavor; I wouldn't confuse them with any other variety. The yield is quite high. I fertilize the seedlings.BioGrow", so it grows quickly.