The unusual tomato Pink Fig and its analogue Red Fig, as well as the yellow-orange tomato Yellow Fig, are at the peak of interest among lovers of exotic tomatoes. The new “tomato series” from the Russian company “Gavrish” deserves the close attention of amateur vegetable growers. There is not a single negative review about these varieties. The pink-fruited version is the sweetest.
Original fruits
Let's look at the features of the variety in more detail.
Unsurpassed taste
The name of the variety fully justifies itself.Figs seem to grow on a familiar plant of the nightshade family: these tomatoes resemble the fruits of a fig tree in taste.
The illusion of a fruit delicacy arises: pure sweetness and rich aroma. There is no trace of “tomato” sourness. Increased sugar content is observed even in those fruits that were picked green and ripened outside the bush.
Recognizable form
The variety is not yet included in the State Register; its genetic line is not uniform.
The shape of the fruit is memorable, but can be twofold. On some bushes, the tomatoes are pear-shaped, slightly reminiscent of the famous Truffle variety (Light Bulbs). By the way, figs have a similar shape. And on some bushes fruits grow round, strongly flattened from below and from the top, like in the picture from a packet of seeds from “Gavrish”. Both types are united by a clearly expressed uniform ribbing, almost an “accordion”, as if cutting along most of the surface.
The cut shows an atypical, hypertrophied multi-chambered fruit. Sometimes (especially if there is a lack of nutrition to the bush) small voids are observed inside, as for stuffing, but this happens rarely. In general, tomatoes do not look ugly - on the contrary, the tomatoes are quite smooth and very beautiful.
Appetizing coloring
In our minds, pink tomato fruits are strongly associated with high taste qualities. This is the favorite “tomato” color of many vegetable growers. Even the classic red tomato seems less attractive.
For the Pink Fig tomato, it is more appropriate to talk not so much about pink, but about the rich light raspberry shade of the peel and pulp. The top is sometimes green, disappearing in full biological ripeness.
Decent size
Another important characteristic is the fullness of the fruit. The average weight ranges from 300 to 400 grams. With a lower limit of 200 grams, the maximum weight is four times greater. Tomatoes weighing 400–600 grams are not uncommon. Each brush carries 3-5 pieces of these “beauties”. One bush produces up to seven kilograms of “vegetable figs” per season.
The main harvest is spent on colorful fresh salads. Smaller fruits are suitable for pickling. It is also good to dry pink figs.
The tomato will taste like raisins. The juice (without adding salt) will also seem fruity, which is very useful for baby and dietary nutrition, even with increased stomach acidity.
Ripening time
Pink figs belong to the mid-early category. It features extremely long-term yield. It is superior to most other varieties in this regard. This is due to the focus on continuous growth.
tall bushes
The plants amaze with their strength even among similar indeterminate tomatoes. Powerful stems can grow two or three meters high. The limit is only the height of the greenhouse and climatic restrictions. The description of the variety as predominantly greenhouse is quite natural. Only in the southern regions can tomatoes be planted in the open air, placed on high, strong trellises. In any conditions, spreading bushes require proper shaping.
Needs
Like any vegetable crop, this variety requires compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology to obtain maximum returns.
Seedling period
Since the variety is not late in terms of ripening, sowing seedlings too early is not recommended. The optimal time for the middle zone and regions with similar climates is early March.
Picking is done when the first pair of true leaves grow, not later.
Young seedlings tend to stretch, so additional lighting is desirable. Moderate temperature conditions are required. It is possible to use the drug "Athlete".
The seedlings are moved to the greenhouse at the stage of laying the first flower cluster. You should not be late: there is a risk of losing the first ovaries.
Principles of shaping and gartering
- On one square meter of the greenhouse there are 3 - 4 seedlings.
- A strong, well-thought-out garter eliminates unpleasant “surprises.” Weak supports lead to bushes breaking under the weight of the harvest and powerful vegetative mass.
- Planted young plants need to be tied up as soon as possible - they grow very quickly.
- During the growing season, not only the stems are fixed, but also large brushes.
- Fruit size and yield directly depend on timely pinching. In the Pink Fig, the side shoots do not grow very actively, but their regular removal is necessary. The variety is grown in one stem (under particularly favorable conditions - a maximum of two stems).
- When the first clusters are formed, the lower leaf tier is removed.
- About a month before the expected end of the growing season, pinch off the top of the bush.
Feeding
Powerful, tall, large-fruited varieties absorb a huge amount of different substances from the soil. Without organizing enhanced nutrition, it is impossible to obtain the desired harvest.
In addition to pre-filling the root zone, 2-3 times a month, root and foliar feeding is done with organic and mineral fertilizers, with humates and microelements. The use of organic matter on meaty varieties is mandatory. The soil should always be moderately moist, with a good layer of mulch.
Protection
Compared to similar varieties - non-hybrid, greenhouse, sweet-fruited - Pink figs are much less infected with fungal diseases. It is possible to grow it without treating the bushes with pesticides. But in the event of an attack by dangerous insects (like the greenhouse whitefly), fighting for the crop will become a necessity.
