Bull's heart like. Enlarged heart: what does it mean and is it dangerous? How to properly plant seedlings in open ground

If you ask gardeners about their favorite variety of tomatoes, many will say that these are “bull’s heart” tomatoes. Reviews with photos and the characteristics of this amazing fruit are of interest to most summer residents, and everyone has at least once tried to grow it on their own plot. It is not surprising that most of the harvest simply does not survive to canning, because the tomatoes are eaten “live”. It’s impossible not to try these tomatoes: juicy, large, incredibly aromatic and tasty - the real tomatoes we miss all winter.

This variety is grown in order to eat enough in the summer, and smaller representatives are suitable for “cans”. Today we invite you to take a closer look at ox heart tomatoes. Reviews with photos of the tomato variety will be presented in this article. In addition, here you can also find advice from experienced gardeners on selecting seeds, growing tomatoes, and several canning secrets.

Tomatoes "ox heart": reviews with photos and description

Distinctive features of the variety are the large size of the fruits. It’s one thing to grow these tomatoes, another thing to achieve truly large-fruited and high yield. The weight champions on the site can be seen from afar. They leave no one indifferent and are a source of pride for the master gardener who grew such a miracle. As a rule, the very first fruits are the largest. The average weight of one is 300-400 grams, there are also half a kilo each. The shape of the fruit is slightly elongated, reminiscent of the shape of a real anatomical heart, the surface is slightly ribbed. Subsequent tomatoes are smaller in size - 100-200 grams each.

Another feature of the variety is the unevenness of the fruits. According to reviews with photos about “ox heart” tomatoes, it is noticeable that on the lower branches the tomatoes are larger, and towards the top they begin to become smaller. The yield will please everyone; it ranges from ten to twelve kilograms per bush if it grows in a greenhouse. If the tomato is planted in open ground, then it will be less - from seven to nine kilograms, and the fruits themselves will also be smaller in size. Reviews with photos about bull's heart tomatoes confirm this fact.

The bush itself is tall - from 1.5 to 1.7 in height, spreading, growing very quickly. He needs a garter. The leaves are large, dark green, appearance them the same as other varieties.

Taste qualities

One has only to cut a tomato and it will spread its extraordinary aroma for many meters. The tomato pulp is fleshy, very sweet, and all because this variety gains less water than others. The taste and aroma cannot be confused with anything else; they are completely sugary and compare favorably with other tomatoes. The skin is delicate, thin; it often happens that the fruits crack, and this can spoil their appearance, but not their taste! The “ox heart” tomato variety, photos and reviews of which are presented in this article, is grown to be eaten fresh precisely because of its ideal taste.

The variety is mid-season, fruiting occurs on average on the 130th day after germination of seedlings.

Variety varieties

We gave general characteristics"ox heart" tomato. In fact, there are several varieties of the variety. The features of agricultural technology do not differ, but they differ greatly in appearance and size. We invite you to familiarize yourself with each one separately.

A favorite variety of many are the pink oxheart tomatoes. According to reviews from the photo, it is clear that they are larger than all their counterparts of other colors; one fruit on the lower cluster can grow up to 900 grams! The color of the tomatoes is pink. Reviews about the variety are the most enthusiastic. They write that they are ideal for preparing fresh summer salads and for tomato juice. The peculiarity is that it matures later than other species. The pink tomato is unpretentious and has immunity to many diseases, including late blight.
The red "bull's heart" is distinguished by very strong branching. The size of the fruits is rarely inferior to the previous type.
Orange - has excellent taste, unlike any other variety.
Black - is an individual, recognizable by the color of the dark burgundy fruit. The latest of all "hearts".

And for their diversity, many people also love ox-heart tomatoes. Reviews with photos from summer residents show how beautiful salads For winter, you can roll them into jars of colorful tomatoes! Also, no one will refuse to try a fresh salad of several types of tomatoes - the taste of each complements each other, and such a dish looks very appetizing!

Advantages of the variety

It’s very easy to judge the advantages of the bull’s heart tomato based on reviews and photos. Positive characteristics include:

taste qualities of tomatoes, their meatiness;
a large number and size of fruits, when compared with other varieties of tomatoes, the bushes of which are the same in size;
the tassels are tied almost at the same time, so the crop ripens together every time until the end of the season;
early ripeness of the fruit allows you to enjoy tomatoes as soon as possible;
The most delicious tomato juice is obtained from the "bull's heart".

It is these factors that influence the choice of variety by many summer residents. What can disappoint you and create additional troubles in this amazing variety?

Flaws

Some gardeners write that the variety has its own characteristics, which cannot be classified as disadvantages, because everything depends on care. So, what problems might a beginning vegetable grower encounter?

Bushes can be attacked by diseases, as they have a huge number of ovaries.
The harvest will not be large, and the fruits may be much smaller than expected. To prevent this from happening, increased feeding is necessary. mineral fertilizers.
Improper care can cause the bushes to terminate early, and they will stop forming new ovaries, and this will affect the amount of harvest.

Now we propose to move on to the rules for planting and caring for “ox heart” tomatoes. Reviews with photos of tomatoes will help us with this.

Ideal seeds

There are many gardeners who have been disappointed when growing "ox heart". They write that there are few ovaries, the shape of the fruit does not resemble an organ, the tomatoes burst and do not reach the characteristic size. There are also comments that say that the variety is most often affected by late blight.

In defense, I would like to say that not everything is so tasty when it is unpretentious. "Bull's Heart" is the result of selection by amateur gardeners, and no one has been maintaining the variety for a long time. Taking advantage of the popularity of tomatoes, amateur seed growers have actively launched the sale of seeds. This would be good if the planting material were not made from everything that grows in their beds. Usually such an attitude towards a variety leads to its degeneration.

Many gardeners recommend purchasing seeds from the company "Aelita" for a good harvest of "bull's heart". They write that their germination rate is good; if you form a bush from one stem, there will be at least eight clusters. The size of a tomato is on average half a kilo, and with proper care, even more. Compared to tomatoes of the same variety from other companies, the seeds of "Aelita" produce tomatoes with big amount sunflower seeds The taste of the fruit is excellent.

How to prepare seeds from grown tomatoes?

If you are satisfied with the tomatoes from the seeds that you bought, then you can prepare your own for the next season. Experienced gardeners still recommend purchasing store-bought seeds at least once every four years in order to slightly update the variety. So, in order to get tomato seeds from your plot, you need to pay attention to the second brush from the bottom. Select the largest of the tomatoes from there, wait for it to fully ripen until the green spot at the peduncle disappears. After this, pick the tomato and place it at home in a warm, dark place for three days until the fruit becomes soft. The seeds must be removed, dried and stored in a paper envelope, which is placed in a dark box with room temperature air.

Preparing the site for planting

It is necessary to take care of the soil in the fall. Dig it well, add fertilizer: compost, manure. Dig again and loosen well. Large lumps do not need to be crushed, as this procedure will be required again in the spring. All weed roots must be removed.

Seedling

The optimal time for preparing seedlings is early March. Take plastic jars for planting seeds and make holes in them on the sides and bottom. Self-dissolving peat cups will not be suitable, since it will be necessary to dive when three true leaves appear.

Seeds are planted to a depth of three centimeters in containers half filled with soil. As the plant grows, it will be necessary to add more soil. Before planting, planting material must be washed and soaked in a manganese solution for disinfection. Only after this are the seeds planted. During growth, seedlings should be fed a couple of times, and a couple of weeks before planting, harden them by taking them out for a day (in good weather with an air temperature of at least +18) “breathe some air” on the balcony or in the yard.

Bull's heart tomatoes: reviews with photos, cultivation

Plant in open ground or in greenhouses it is recommended at the end of May or beginning of June, when there is no longer a risk of frost. One or two stems are formed; excess shoots and shoots must be constantly removed. No more than 2 bushes should grow on one square meter; they should be tied to trellises.

Phosphorus-containing mineral fertilizers are applied twice during flowering with an interval of one and a half weeks.
During fruit filling, potassium and nitrogen are needed. Feeding is done twice with the same interval.
Again phosphorus fertilizers during the flowering period of the fifth and sixth clusters.
Every ten days during the formation and ripening of fruits, foliar feeding with calcium fertilizers is necessary.

Getting ready for winter

Oxheart tomatoes can still be used to create beautiful “jars” of pickled tomatoes. To do this, cook them in the microwave. In a 1.5 liter jar you will need to place three peas and two bay leaves, cut the tomatoes into quarters and place them well, being careful not to crush them. Pour boiling water in which a tablespoon of salt and four sugars have been dissolved so that the tomatoes are slightly hidden. Place the jar in the microwave, set to maximum mode and time for 2 minutes. If the brine does not boil, add time and immediately remove the jar after boiling. Pour half a teaspoon acetic acid, roll it up, put it upside down to let the air out.

Every year, breeders surprise gardeners with unusual varieties of tomatoes. As a result, gardeners are increasing their plantations in order to test new products. However, there is an old variety that is always given a special place in the garden - Bull's Heart. Everyone's favorite has remained in demand for many years due to its sweetness and perfect taste.

Characteristics of tomato Ox heart

Bull's heart is a late-ripening variety, grown both in greenhouses and in open ground. It takes 120–130 days from germination to ripening. The plant is indeterminate. The leaves are drooping, green, medium in size. Spreading bush, greenhouse conditions reaches a height of 1.7 m. Forms simple inflorescences, the first flower cluster is laid above the 8–9th leaf.

The peculiarity of the variety is the heart-shaped fruit, red with a raspberry tint. The pulp is pinkish, sweet, with barely noticeable sourness. Unripe Bull's Heart tomatoes have pronounced dark green “shoulders” (as the area around the stalk is popularly called). The fleshy fruit gains weight from 110 to 225 g or more.

Ox's heart is one of the most delicious tomatoes

From 1 m2, gardeners harvest 3–4 kg of tomatoes per season in open ground and 2 times more in a greenhouse. Used fresh for making salads and sandwiches. The whole fruit is not suitable for canning, but is used for making juice.

Video: what a Bull's Heart tomato looks like

Origin and varieties

Despite the fact that in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation the variety Bull Heart is listed as bred and registered in 2003 by the Poisk agricultural company, it is well known that even before the collapse of the Union it was grown by our older generation. Therefore, do not be surprised when you come across a package of Ox Heart seeds on sale with a note that this is a variety of folk selection. Most likely, this is true.

Breeders are trying their best to improve the Bull's Heart:

give it a different color;
add new notes of aroma;
make it more resistant to diseases.

Fans of tomato novelties will want to try what came out of this. Nowadays, seed stores sell varieties of this heart-shaped variety:

creamy,
raspberry,
orange,
peach,
pink,
black.

Other varieties are distinguished by rounded fruits:

gold,
chocolate,
amber.

Photo gallery: tomato varieties Bull's heart

Bull's heart is golden - hybrid variety with increased productivity Bull's heart raspberry - large-fruited and crack-resistant variety Orange ox heart in a greenhouse gives a yield of about 11 kg per 1 sq. m Ox heart black - early ripening salad variety with excellent taste Bull's heart peach produces interestingly colored fruits weighing 200–300 g Bull's heart pink - determinate mid-season tomato

Pros and cons of the variety

Ox's heart is not an unpretentious tomato and requires proper care. Perhaps newbies will even be disappointed in it. After all, in order to get a large harvest, the tomato must be planted. Otherwise, the plant will form many shoots and foliage, and the fruits will set small and much later than the stated date. In addition, the disadvantages of the variety include:

the need for strong and high support;
susceptibility to disease;
cracking of fruits (not in all varieties).

However, the Bull's heart has many advantages:

excellent taste;
fleshiness;
large size;
few seeds;
the seed chambers contain little juice, so this tomato does not “spread” as quickly in dishes as other varieties.

In fact, among all the varieties there are not many absolutely delicious tomatoes that everyone likes. Dozens of new varieties have been developed, but only a few can compare with Ox's Heart in sweetness and aroma.

After cutting into the Bull's heart, we smell the smell we've been missing all winter.

The rich aroma of Ox heart is due to the presence of a large amount of dry matter in the fruit. In addition, this variety of tomatoes contains more sugars than acids.

Features of cultivation

Beginning gardeners are often disappointed with Ox's Heart due to the fact that they do not receive the yield stated on the package or lose plants due to the rapid development of late blight. However, with strict adherence to agricultural technology, problems can be easily avoided.

Preparing seedlings

Ox heart is grown through seedlings. The procedure is as follows:

Place and soil

For successful development and sugary taste, a tomato needs to receive direct sunlight for at least 7 hours a day. When planting Ox's Heart in the shade, there is a risk of getting fruits with a grassy taste. The acidity of the soil also affects the sweetness of tomatoes, so it is preferable to grow the variety in slightly acidic or neutral soils. If necessary, in the fall the soil is deoxidized with lime.

It is important to remember that Bull's Heart is a very “voracious” tomato, so it is impossible to get a decent harvest on poor, unfertilized soils. To fertilize the area where tomatoes will grow:

in the fall or 2 weeks before planting, add humus or compost in a bucket per 1 m2;
if there is a lack of organic matter, the soil is filled with mineral fertilizers, for example, superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

It is advisable to observe crop rotation and plant tomatoes in beds where beans, cucumbers, carrots, beets, onions, herbs, but not representatives of the nightshade family, previously grew.

It is convenient to use a crop rotation table when choosing a place to plant tomatoes.

If nightshade plants are grown in the same place all the time, pathogens - disease agents - accumulate in the soil. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers remove a lot of nutrients from the soil. To make up for losses, it is necessary to enrich the soil every autumn with humus, compost or complex mineral fertilizer.

If the soil has not been fertilized, add 1 tbsp to the hole when planting. a spoonful of nitroammophos or a quarter bucket of humus mixed with 1/2 cup of ash.

It is best to fertilize and dig up the garden in autumn, spring and so much trouble

Planting plan

The planting pattern determines how well the air will circulate around the plants. Good ventilation will ensure the prevention of fungal diseases. The planting scheme is chosen depending on the type of tomatoes and planting method:

if you plant tomatoes in double rows, then maintain 50 cm between bushes and 50–75 cm between rows;
if indeterminate (unlimited growth) varieties of Ox heart are grown, the distance is increased by 10–20 cm;
because of high humidity in greenhouses, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 60 cm between bushes.

How to water

Regular watering is necessary to get a full harvest. It should be borne in mind that tomatoes do not like overheating, so water them in the heat hot water not worth it. In open ground, it is best to do this with cool water (about 20 o C) in the first half of the day before 15:00 - this regime is due to the susceptibility of the Ox heart to fungal diseases. It is necessary to prevent high humidity around the bushes at night: at this time dew falls and the risk of developing fungal spores on tomato leaves increases many times over.

In the Ox Heart greenhouse, they water only early in the morning 1-2 times a week. After the procedure, the room must be ventilated.

In order for the bush not to fatten, but to set fruit, the soil in the root area at a depth of up to 30 cm must dry out from time to time. After this happens, the tomato is watered abundantly, allocating 3 liters per young bush and 5 liters per adult. Avoid getting moisture on the leaves to avoid causing burns and fungal diseases. Soil moisture is checked with a finger or a hygrometer - a device for measuring soil moisture.

Hygrometers for measuring soil moisture are sold in garden stores at a price of 500 to 600 rubles

In June, when it settles warm weather, rows of tomatoes are mulched with hay. This technique will protect the roots from overheating and retain moisture. Overheating is dangerous because tomatoes spend all their energy evaporating moisture, trying to cool down. As a result, plants slow down in growth, starve, and the ovaries fall off.

Never mulch your plantings with freshly cut grass. Let it wither in the sun for 3-4 days. Otherwise, pests will crawl from the mulch onto cultivated plants. For example, this is how plantings often become infected with spider mites.

Bush formation

Tomato Bull's heart is usually grown in 1–2, in the south - even in 3 stems. The fewer stems, the faster the crop will ripen. The variety forms many stepsons (shoots growing from the axils of the leaves), which will have to be constantly plucked out, leaving a “stump” of 1 cm. Excessive thickening of the bush has a bad effect on the number and size of tomatoes. Experienced farmers advise removing everything lower leaves up to the fruit cluster, but in no case higher. The upper leaves are needed for photosynthesis - the formation of organic substances from water and carbon dioxide.

Following this advice, I once removed all the lower leaves up to the fruit cluster in one day. After the first watering, the almost ripe tomatoes cracked. As I learned later, this happened because you need to remove 1-2 sheets once every 4 days, and not all at once. And it’s better to do this before ripening begins. The riper the fruit, the worse its skin stretches. Conclusion: you need to remove the lower leaves as early as possible and gradually, starting from the moment the first cluster begins to form.

It is better to do pinching with pruning shears rather than with nails; they are very difficult to wash later

Video: pinching a tomato Bull's heart

Bush support

Another important nuance is the garter. It is better to drive in pegs 1.5–2 m high immediately when planting the bush, so as not to subsequently injure the roots. The stem is tied to the support as it grows with twine or strips of fabric, but not too tightly so as not to stop the flow of sap and break the stem.

There are other options for fixing tall and large-fruited tomatoes: horizontal or vertical trellises. This type of garter reduces the risk of the trunk breaking under the weight of the crop.

To construct a horizontal trellis, carry out the following steps:

Strong pins are driven into the edges of the bed.
2 ropes are pulled from one pin to another.
Tomato stems are passed between them.

This method keeps tomatoes from falling even in strong winds.

Vertical trellises are often used in greenhouses. They do it like this:

The tomato stem is wrapped with twine.
It is then attached to a cord stretched from the ceiling.

The vertical trellis is the most effective method garters of tall tomatoes such as Ox's heart

The photo above shows my tomatoes on a trellis. I've tried everything possible ways fixation, but the vertical trellis turned out to be the most convenient. One end of the twine is tied to the base of the stem, and the other to a horizontal crossbar at a height of two meters. As the stem grows, it wraps itself around the twine. The trellis itself consists of acacia trunks dug into the ground at a distance of 2 m, and a crossbar attached to the top with screws.
Sometimes it’s not just the stems of the Bull’s Heart that have to be tied up. Several times I was faced with the fact that, under the weight of its own weight, the cluster with fruit broke off from the stem. If the brush does not come off completely, I put a mesh bag from store-bought potatoes over the fruit and tie it to the stem above the top leaf.

How to fertilize

There is no universal feeding regime. It all depends on the fertility of the soil, the amount of fertilizer applied to the soil and hole, and the frequency of watering. Therefore, recommendations are only food for thought, and decisions on additional nutrition for tomato pets are made based on local conditions and the appearance of the plant.

Root feeding

Usually, 10 days after planting in open ground or a greenhouse, the Ox Heart is fed mainly with nitrogen fertilizers to form a powerful stem and leaf apparatus. But if the soil is filled with compost, humus or nitroammophos before planting, then initial stage Feeding will most likely not be needed for growth. Monitor the development of the bush: if thick shoots and large leaves form, you should not feed the tomato with additional nitrogen. This must be done if the tomato grows poorly, has a frail stem and small, light-colored leaves.

Flowering tomatoes, which have thick stems and huge dark green leaves, need to be fed not with nitrogen, but with potassium fertilizer so that the fruits begin to grow

Organic nitrogen fertilizer is prepared and applied as follows:

Organic fertilizer is sometimes replaced with mineral fertilizers: ammonium nitrate or urea, following the instructions on the package. If necessary, nitrogen fertilizing is repeated after 2 weeks.

Excess nitrogen leads to fattening of the plant. The tomato produces many shoots and leaves, while the fruits are not full.

Gardeners have noticed that Ox's Heart produces large fruits (up to 800 g) on the first cluster, and then they become smaller. The explanation is simple: tomatoes lack nutrients, in particular potassium.

I managed to grow an Ox's heart weighing 508 g, but this is far from a record; there are gardeners who grow fruits almost 2 times heavier

As soon as the second fruit cluster begins to set, it is time to fertilize with potassium or complex fertilizer with a high potassium content. Dilute potassium magnesium or potassium monophosphate according to the instructions.

The use of potassium monophosphate affects the taste of tomatoes

A daily ash infusion is suitable as a folk remedy. Prepare and use it this way:

The frequency of fertilizing is determined by observing the tomato. Usually 4 feedings per season are enough. If stem growth stops too early, fertilize with nitrogen. The following signs indicate a lack of potassium:

drying out and then browning of the edges of the leaves;
a small number of ovaries or chopping tomatoes;
uneven ripening - unripe yellow “shoulders” or spots on the fruit.

Use only chlorine-free fertilizers for tomatoes, as excess chlorine in the soil leads to the death of the plant.

Foliar feeding

An economical way to apply fertilizer is by leaf spraying. Such feeding is justified if:

the plant has just been planted or has been damaged by a pest and root system works poorly;
the acidity of the soil is increased, as a result the tomato does not absorb some substances;
needed ambulance plant, for example, when color falls.

In greenhouses, plants are sprayed early in the morning, in open ground - in the late afternoon. An important point: do not spray the leaves with solutions of the same concentration as for root feeding- this will lead to leaf burns.

There are different types of foliar feeding:

as a nitrogen foliar fertilizer, a solution of urea is most often prepared (50 g per bucket of warm water);
potassium fertilizer - 1 teaspoon of crushed superphosphate per bucket hot water. Usually 10 liters of solution is enough to treat 50–60 bushes;
To improve fruit set on Ox's heart, foliar feeding with pharmaceutical boric acid (7 g per 10 liters of hot water) is widely used.

Foliar feeding of tomatoes is a rarity among amateur gardeners, but common among farmers

An important nuance: the scorching August sun can harm the ripening Bull's heart. The fruits are often “baked” in the heat. I get out of the situation this way: I cut out triangles from the thinnest agrofibre and tie them to the base of the fruit cluster like a pioneer tie.

Treatments for pests and diseases

Most dangerous pest tomatoes - tomato scoop. This butterfly lays eggs on the lower surface of the leaf. A week later, caterpillars appear and make passages in the fruit, as a result of which it rots. To prevent cutworm damage, plants are sprayed with Proteus as soon as the fruits set.

Tomato cutworm is the most dangerous pest of tomatoes

However, it is easier to prevent tomato diseases than to cure them later. That's why Special attention is focused on prevention. About 10 days after landing on permanent place When the Oxheart seedlings take root, spray them with fungicides (antifungal drugs):

copper sulfate;
copper oxychloride (CHOM);
Quadris;
Thanos;
Ridomil Goldom;
Anthracol;
Soon.

The frequency of treatments and waiting periods are indicated on the packaging of the chemical.

Any copper-based preparations are the most effective antifungal and antibacterial agents for the prevention and treatment of tomato diseases

A common physiological disease of tomatoes, blossom end rot, is characterized by the appearance of depressed or flat spots on the tips of the fruit. After some time, the stain turns black and cracks. As a result, the fruit deteriorates. To prevent and treat this disease, tomatoes are sprayed with calcium nitrate (25 g per 10 l).

Typically, preventive spraying of the Bull's heart against any disease is carried out once every 2-3 weeks, depending on the weather.

By personal experience I’ll add: at the beginning of the season it is better to use copper-containing preparations (HOM, copper sulfate). After all, they, unlike others, destroy pathogens, both fungal and bacterial infections. And the latter are very aggressive and can quickly destroy a tomato plantation (for example, bacterial black spot, brown spot (cladosporiosis)). And when the tomatoes begin to fill up, it is better to switch to other preparations from the list above, since copper dries out the fruits and leads to the formation of a wrinkled mesh on the skin.

There are extremely many varieties and hybrids of tomatoes. Therefore, now, in order to gain lasting popularity among gardeners, any variety must stand out as something extraordinary or have only solid advantages. Perfection, as we know, is unattainable, but the Bull's Heart variety completely coped with the first task. These tomatoes differ from their “relatives” in their unusual shape, large (sometimes simply huge) size and excellent taste. This is not to say that getting a harvest will be easy, because the variety is quite demanding in care. But the unique taste of the fruit will make all the trouble worth it.

Description of the tomato variety Bull's Heart and its varieties

Tomato variety Bull's heart included in State Register Russian Federation in 2003. There are no restrictions regarding the growing region. But in terms of ripening, it belongs to late or medium-late. Accordingly, cultivation in open ground is possible only in warm southern regions. When planting in a garden bed in a temperate climate, you simply won’t get a harvest. It takes 120–130 days for the fruits to ripen.

The Bull's Heart tomato is loved by gardeners for its productivity, large fruit and excellent taste of tomatoes.

The bush is weakly leafy, determinate. This property means that its growth is spontaneously limited at the height “set” by the breeders, and a fruit cluster is formed at the site of the growth point. However, the bush, unlike absolute majority determinate tomatoes, tall, powerful and spreading. In open ground it stretches up to 1.5–1.8 m, in a greenhouse - up to 2 m. The plant will definitely need fairly strong support and regular formation.
More often determinate tomatoes- these are compact, low plants, but the Ox's Heart variety is an exception

The first inflorescence forms above the 8–9th leaf. This is quite low, and the tomatoes are large. A trellis or other support is required, otherwise the bushes will bend under the weight of the crop or simply break. And fruits lying on the ground almost inevitably become infected with rot.

Fruits with smooth matte pink-scarlet skin, slightly ribbed. The shape is irregular, they resemble a heart in the anatomical sense of the word - the tomatoes are oval, noticeably flattened. The minimum weight of the fetus is 108–225 g. But the experience of gardeners shows that with proper care, tomatoes ripen much larger, up to 500–800 g. And not just individual specimens, but en masse. The most large tomatoes ripen on the lower hands, the higher they are, the smaller they are. On each bush, 5–7 clusters are formed, almost simultaneously.
The weight of individual fruits of the Ox Heart tomato is approaching a kilogram

Productivity is 3–4 kg per bush when cultivated without shelter and 8–12 kg in greenhouses, but here, too, a lot depends on agricultural technology. If you follow all care recommendations, you can significantly exceed the stated figure.

Oxheart is not a hybrid. Accordingly, seeds from fruits grown by yourself are quite suitable for planting for the next season. But still, planting material periodically needs to be updated. At least once every 4-5 years you need to purchase new seeds, otherwise the tomatoes become noticeably smaller and lose their unique taste.
Not only purchased, but also independently collected tomato seeds Bull's Heart are suitable for planting.

And the taste of the Ox Heart fruit is simply excellent - sweet, with a barely noticeable sourness emphasizing this. The pulp is without whitish streaks, homogeneous, dense, sugary, grainy when cut, reminiscent of a watermelon. The dry matter content is high, so the tomatoes are not juicy. The seed chambers are few (4–5 pieces), the seeds are small.

The pulp of the Bull's Heart tomato is very dense, almost without juice

The Bull's Heart variety cannot boast of having “innate” immunity. Nevertheless, its resistance to fungal diseases typical of the culture is quite good, and it gets sick relatively rarely. The exception is late blight, the prevention of which will require special attention.

The skin of the fruit is quite thin, but they are distinguished by good transportability. When transported over long distances, no more than 5% of tomatoes spoil. Keeping quality is also good. In the refrigerator or other place where a slight positive temperature is constantly maintained, they will last up to 12–15 days without losing their shape, pulp density or taste.
The experience of gardeners shows that the tomato variety Bull's Heart has significantly larger fruits on the lower clusters than on the upper ones.

The large size of tomatoes seriously limits their use. Ox heart is mainly consumed fresh. The variety is not suitable for pickling and pickling because of its sweetish taste and because the fruits simply will not fit into jars. But it is a suitable raw material for preparing tomato paste, ketchup, and sauces.

Ox's heart tomatoes are not suitable for whole-fruit canning, but they make very tasty ketchup

Video: what a Bull's Heart tomato looks like

Many hybrids have been developed based on the Bull's Heart tomato. Most of them were included in the State Register quite recently, in 2017–2018. They, like the “parent”, are suitable for growing throughout Russia, wherever gardening is possible.

Golden. The bush is indeterminate. The fruits are more regular in shape, round-cone-shaped. Lemon peel. There are many seed chambers, more than six. The average weight of the fruit is 240–280 g. The yield when cultivated in a greenhouse is 13.6 kg/m².
Compact Early ripening hybrid. The bush is indeterminate. The inflorescence is complex. The fruits are round, pointed at the base, the ribs are almost invisible. The skins are deep scarlet. There are six or more seed chambers. Tomato weight - 160–200 g. Productivity when planted in closed ground - 6–6.7 kg/m².
Creamy. In terms of ripening, it is classified as mid-season. The bush is indeterminate. Inflorescence of intermediate type. The pulp is less dense than other varieties. The ribs are poorly defined. The skin is an unusual creamy beige color with a slight yellowish tint. The average weight of a flattened tomato is 350–400 g. Productivity is 10.6–12.8 kg/m² when planted in greenhouses. Fruits until the first frost.
Raspberry. Mid-season hybrid. The bush is indeterminate, densely leafy. Fruits without ribs, oh round shape. Average weight - 350–500 g. The skin is a rich crimson-scarlet color. There are 4–6 seed chambers, the seeds are very small. Up to 6 kg of fruits are harvested from 1 m².
Orange. According to the ripening period, it is classified as mid-season or mid-late. The bush is indeterminate. The leaves are unusually long. Fruits with pronounced ribbing, the pulp is extremely dense, almost without juice. The skin is a very beautiful saffron shade. The fruits are one-dimensional, weighing 300–350 g. The characteristic taste is somewhat less pronounced than that of other varieties. Productivity in the greenhouse is up to 11 kg/m². Compared to its “relatives” it has better immunity and is more resistant to drought. Regular stepsoning is necessary.
Peach. Early ripening, the very first of the entire series to ripen. The bush is indeterminate. The inflorescence is complex. The pulp is noticeably watery. The skin is orange-pinkish. The fruits are noticeably ribbed. Average weight - 200–300 g. Productivity - 7.8–8.5 kg/m².
Pink. Medium ripening hybrid. The bush is densely leafy, determinate, rarely extends above one and a half meters. The fruits are pinkish, slightly ribbed. The pulp is not particularly dense. Tomato weight is 250–350 g. Productivity is 7.5–8 kg/m².
Black. Early ripening. The bush is indeterminate. Leaves are elongated. The fruits are slightly ribbed, almost one-dimensional (350–400 g). The skin is a very unusual brownish-purple color with a greenish tint. But to get this shade, you need good lighting. The pulp is very tender, almost without seeds. The yield for the series is almost a record - 12.9–13 kg/m².
Chocolate. Mid-season hybrid. The bush is indeterminate. The fruits are round in shape, practically without ribs. The skin is reddish-brown. The average weight of a tomato is 240–280 g. The yield is very high - 12.9–13.1 kg/m².
Amber. Medium ripening hybrid. The bush is indeterminate. The fruits are round, with almost invisible ribs. The skin is dark orange or terracotta. The average weight of a tomato is 350–400 g. 10–12 kg of fruit are harvested from 1 m² in greenhouses.

Photo gallery: hybrids bred from the Bull's Heart tomato

Of all the hybrids in the series, the variety Oxheart Golden has the highest yield. The fruits of the hybrid Oxheart Compact are not very large, this also affects the overall yield. Tomatoes Oxheart Cream, in addition to the unusual color of the skin, are distinguished by the length of the fruiting period. The seeds of tomatoes Oxheart Raspberry are so small that are almost not felt when eating The taste of the tomato Oxheart orange is somewhat worse than that of other hybrids, but the variety has better immunity Tomato Oxheart peach brings the harvest the very first of all The tomato bush Oxheart is pink, like the “parent”, determinant Intended By breeders, the skin of tomatoes Oxheart black acquires a tint only if the fruits receive enough sunlight. And the hybrid Oxheart chocolate, on the contrary, needs partial shade to obtain a characteristic tone of the skin. Amber Oxheart is one of the newest hybrids, gardeners are still practically unfamiliar with it

Growing tomato seedlings

The seedling growing method is the only one possible for Oxheart tomatoes, this is due to the ripening time. When planting seeds in open ground, you may not get a harvest even in regions with a subtropical climate. Due to the late ripening of the varieties, they are sown early, already in early March.

Planting material undergoes preliminary preparation in several stages. First, the seeds are checked for germination using a solution of ordinary table salt(15–20 g/l). Those that contain an embryo are noticeably heavier than empty ones, so they sink to the bottom, while those unsuitable for planting float to the surface. 7–10 minutes are enough to discard seeds that definitely will not sprout.
The saline solution helps to immediately reject substandard tomato seeds

Then they are immersed in cold water, preferably melt water, for 12–14 hours. This is useful for activating development processes and stimulating growth. Water can be replaced with any biostimulant. Along with purchased drugs (Epin, Emistim-M, potassium humate, Immunocytophyte), folk remedies are widely used ( baking soda, aloe juice, succinic acid tablets, potato juice). In the latter case, the processing time is increased to a day.
Treatment with any biostimulant, including aloe juice, helps to “awaken” the seed embryo

The final stage of preparation is disinfection. The resistance to pathogenic fungi in Ox's Heart is not bad, but it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side. The most common remedy is a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. But copper-containing preparations, preferably of biological origin, are also quite suitable. These are, for example, Tsineb, Strobi, Alirin-B, Fitosporin-M. Treatment time with fungicides is no more than 15–20 minutes. The seeds are soaked in potassium permanganate for 5–6 hours. After this, they need to be washed in clean water.
Potassium permanganate is one of the most common disinfectants

Next, the treated seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth, gauze, napkin and kept warm for several days. You can, for example, put a saucer on the battery. After 2–4 days they hatch and can be planted.
Shoots from germinated tomato seeds appear 3–4 days faster

The soil and containers for seedlings are also prepared in advance. The Ox Heart variety is well suited for purchased Solanaceae substrate. If the soil is mixed independently, you need to take into account that at any stage of development, its nutritional value is important for these tomatoes. An obligatory component is humus, to which about half as much peat chips and sand are added for looseness. Plant Oxheart seeds in general containers or boxes, shallow and wide. Then the seedlings will still need picking, so you can save a little space on the windowsill. Both the soil and containers must be disinfected. The soil is roasted in the oven or microwave oven, frozen, steamed. Containers can be doused with boiling water.
Tomatoes Ox's heart will be quite suitable for store-bought soil for seedlings

Directly growing tomato seedlings Bull's Heart proceeds according to the following algorithm:

The containers are filled with soil, creating a layer 4–5 cm thick. The substrate is watered a little warm water and level the surface.
Both purchased and self-mixed substrate must be disinfected before planting tomatoes.
Seeds are planted one at a time, with an interval between them of 4–5 cm, and between rows - 8–10 cm. Sprinkle on top thin layer humus (up to 1.5 cm), mixed with fine sand.
Tomato seeds are planted, trying to maintain the recommended interval - this will make them easier to pick
If possible, containers are hermetically sealed with polyethylene or glass to create a greenhouse effect. Ungerminated seeds do not need light, but warmth is important. The room temperature is maintained at a level of at least 25°C, and if possible, bottom heating is provided. The shelter is removed briefly every day to get rid of accumulated condensation.
Polyethylene film creates a greenhouse effect, accelerating the germination process
As soon as the tomatoes sprout, the “greenhouse” is removed for good. The temperature is reduced to 15–18°C. Now the seedlings need to be provided with at least 12–14 hours of daylight. In most of Russia, the sun cannot be used, so you will have to use artificial light sources - fluorescent, LED or special phytolamps.
The phytolamp is placed 25–30 cm above containers with seedlings at a slight angle
Picking of seedlings is carried out in the phase of the second true leaf, approximately 3 weeks after emergence. Unlike the absolute majority garden crops for whom the procedure is a lot of stress, for tomatoes it is even useful, since the root system of the plants is noticeably strengthened after it, which subsequently facilitates adaptation to new conditions environment. The seedlings are watered about half an hour before, then removed from a common container along with a lump of earth on the roots and planted one at a time in plastic or peat cups with a diameter of 8–10 cm, filled with the same substrate.
For most garden crops grown by seedlings, picking is severe stress, but tomatoes tolerate the procedure calmly
7–10 days after picking, the tomatoes are fed with any complex fertilizer for seedlings. The procedure is repeated after another 2 weeks. Water them moderately, but often, as soon as the top layer of the substrate dries.
Tomato seedlings are fed, strictly observing the dosage of fertilizer recommended by the manufacturer.
Hardening off of seedlings begins 12–15 days before planting in a permanent place. First stay on outdoors limited to 2–3 hours, then extended to all night. In the last 2-3 days before planting, you don’t need to bring the seedlings home at all. Optimal temperature for hardening - 10–14°C.
Hardening has a positive effect on the immunity of plants, making it easier for them to adapt to a new place

Ox heart seedlings can be transferred to the ground 55–60 days after sowing the seeds. By this time, the seedlings should stretch to at least 25 cm and have 5–8 true leaves. IN middle lane In Russia, when grown under cover, they are transplanted in the first ten days of May, and transferred to open ground at the junction of spring and summer. If the climate in the region is milder, the dates are shifted back by 1.5–2 weeks. Accordingly, seeds for seedlings must be planted earlier.
There is no point in delaying planting tomato seedlings in the garden; overgrown specimens adapt worse and take longer

Video: planting tomato seeds for seedlings and further care for them

Planting seedlings and preparing for it

The Bull's Heart tomato variety is quite capricious. This also applies to the requirements for cultivation conditions. An open place is selected for the garden bed. The culture does not tolerate dense shade, but it does not like direct sunlight either. Therefore, it is advisable to grow these tomatoes under a canopy made of any white covering material.
Bull's heart tomatoes are planted so that each bush is provided with sufficient area for nutrition

Areas where groundwater located a meter or closer below the surface of the earth. If there is no alternative at all, it will be necessary to build raised beds(0.5 m or more).

The bushes of this variety are quite large and the root system is developed. Therefore, per 1 m² no more than two plants are placed in a greenhouse and three in open ground. The interval between neighboring bushes is about 1 m, the row spacing is 70–90 cm. You also need to provide space for a trellis or other support.

Obtaining a bountiful harvest is impossible in a substrate of poor quality. The soil must be highly nutritious, but at the same time quite light, allowing for normal aeration and not allowing moisture to stagnate at the roots. The most suitable substrate is gray soil or loam. If its composition is far from optimal, add sand (for heavy soil) or powder clay (for light soil).

The quality of the substrate is also affected by the crop previously grown in this place. Ox's heart is never planted after other tomatoes or any Solanaceae in general, if less than three years have passed. Good predecessors for the crop are green manure, spices, onions, garlic, plants from the Pumpkin, Legume and Cruciferous families. And the Bull's heart also benefits greatly from being next to garden strawberries. In both crops, the fruits ripen larger, and accordingly, the yield increases.

Eggplants, like other plants from the Solanaceae family, are undesirable precursors for tomatoes

You need to take care of preparing the beds in advance, last fall. Immediately determine the acid-base balance of the soil. If it differs from neutral, in the process of digging together with necessary fertilizers add dolomite flour, wood ash or powder from eggshells(250–450 g). To increase fertility, manure (necessarily rotted) or compost is distributed over the bed, approximately 10 liters per linear meter. Of the fertilizers in the fall, potassium and phosphorus are needed - 25–30 g and 40–50 g, respectively. Nitrogen (10–15 g) is applied in the spring, simultaneously with loosening the beds, which is carried out approximately two weeks before planting the Ox Heart.
Humus is a natural remedy for increasing soil fertility

Video: preparing soil for tomatoes

The greenhouse for tomatoes is also prepared in the fall. If possible, it is advisable to completely change the soil. Or at least add 8–10 cm of fresh humus. The soil is dug up, simultaneously getting rid of all plant debris, and spilled with boiling water or a rich raspberry solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Glass and all surfaces in general are wiped with a solution of slaked lime for the same purpose. Or you can burn a small piece of sulfur with tightly closed doors and windows.
Ideally, before planting tomatoes in a greenhouse, you need to replace all the soil; if this is not possible, the substrate should at least be disinfected

To enrich the soil with nitrogen and improve its quality in the greenhouse at the beginning of autumn, you can plant any green manure (leaf mustard, vetch, phacelia). After about two months, the greens are mowed and embedded in the soil.

It is advisable to plant tomatoes in cloudy, not too hot weather. The soil should have warmed up sufficiently by this time. It is enough if during the previous week the daytime temperature does not fall below 17°C.

First, both the seedlings and the holes are well shed with warm water. A handful of humus and a little ash are placed at the bottom. The seedlings are planted so that at least 3–4 cm remains from the ground to the bottom pair of leaves. The bushes are well watered again, and it is advisable to mulch the bed. The next watering is carried out only when the seedlings have taken root in the new place and begin to grow. This usually takes about 10 days. Around this time they will need to be tied to a support. After another 1.5 weeks, it is advisable to hill up the bushes to stimulate the development of adventitious roots. Tomatoes in open ground are protected from direct sunlight for at least the first two weeks using covering material on the arches.
Planting tomato seedlings in the ground is practically no different from a similar procedure for other garden crops.

Video: planting tomato seedlings in a garden bed

Caring for tomatoes in the open ground and in the greenhouse

The need for regular and careful care is considered one of the main disadvantages of the Bull's Heart variety. But for the sake of large and wonderfully tasty fruits, gardeners are ready to endure even more.

Watering

Tomatoes Ox's heart, if the weather is not too hot outside, water at intervals of 4-5 days. As the bush grows, the norm is gradually increased from 5–7 liters per plant to 10–12 liters by the time of flowering. In hot weather, water more abundantly, up to 15 liters. The most the right time for the procedure - early morning or late evening. Only warm, settled water is used. The leaves of bushes that lack water darken and droop, curling along the central vein.

The most preferred method for Bull's Heart is drip irrigation. It allows you to deliver water directly to the roots without eroding the soil. If it is not technically possible to organize such a system, water in circular grooves around the base of the stem or along longitudinal grooves between rows. Sprinkling for crops is a completely unsuitable option. Drops of water falling on the plant provoke massive shedding of buds, flowers and fruit ovaries. The causative agents of many fungal diseases spread through them; in a greenhouse they can cause sunburn. And if you pour water under the roots from a watering can or hose, the substrate is quickly washed off from them, they become bare and dry out.
Perfect option for any variety of tomatoes - drip irrigation

In a greenhouse, in addition to sufficient soil moisture, you will also have to monitor the level of air humidity. The Bull's Heart variety is moisture-loving, but this applies only to the soil, not the atmosphere. For the latter, the optimal figure is 65–70%. Therefore, every time after watering, the greenhouse must be ventilated. Cover the container with water in it with a lid. The room temperature is maintained at 22–25°C during the day and 16–20°C at night.
When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, in addition to the level of soil moisture, you will also have to monitor air humidity

Proper watering is especially important during the formation of fruit ovaries. A lack of moisture provokes their massive fall. And about a month before harvest, it is recommended to reduce it to the required minimum. Otherwise, the fruits of the Ox Heart will turn out watery, and the pulp will not acquire the characteristic taste of the variety.

Irrigation from a watering can, hose and any other method of watering in which drops of water fall on the bush are absolutely not suitable for tomatoes

This tomato demonstrates good drought resistance, but it’s still not worth experimenting with. If you do not have the opportunity to permanently live in the garden, mulch the soil. It is also extremely harmful to alternate periods of prolonged drought with rare but abundant watering. This provokes massive cracking of the fruit.

Fertilizer application

The Oxheart tomato requires increased doses of nutrients throughout the growing season. The type of fertilizer does not matter; bushes respond equally well to both organic matter and mineral supplements. They are applied every 12–15 days.

The bushes are fertilized for the first time 2–2.5 weeks after planting in a permanent place. During the first month, Oxheart tomatoes need nitrogen. This macronutrient helps the bushes actively grow green mass. In the future, it should be abandoned completely. Excess nitrogen in the soil increases the risk of infection by pathogenic fungi, inhibits the process of formation and ripening of fruits, and negatively affects their taste.
Like others nitrogen fertilizers, urea in the required doses is needed by the tomato bush only for early stages development

During the first month after planting, they mainly use mineral nitrogen-containing fertilizers (urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate), diluting 10–12 g per 10 liters of water. Use 2–3 liters of solution per bush.

Next, you can alternate complex fertilizers for tomatoes with any organic fertilizers. These are, for example, infusions of nettle and dandelion leaves, banana peels, yeast, black bread, fresh cow manure, and bird droppings.
Nettle infusion is prepared within 3-4 days, before use it is filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:8

In the last month before fruit ripening, wood ash is very useful. It is a natural source of potassium and phosphorus. And the developing fruit ovaries experienced gardeners It is recommended to spray the solution boric acid(2–3 g/l) to make them stronger.

In a greenhouse, the interval between fertilizing increases to 15–20 days. There is no rain to wash away nutrients from the soil. And its oversaturation with micro- and macroelements is harmful for tomatoes.

Video: nuances of caring for tomatoes in a greenhouse

Bush formation

The variety Bull's Heart belongs to the category of determinant, however, it needs to be formed. Lead the bush into one, maximum two stems. In the first case, all stepsons (side shoots growing from the leaf axils) and foliage up to the first fruit cluster are removed. 2-3 leaves are left above the last ovary, no more. In the second, the role of another stem is assigned to the first stepson. The main one is pinched after 2–3 fruit clusters have formed on it.
In order for the tomato fruits of the Bull's Heart variety to ripen large, you need to remove all the “extra” from the bush.

The stepsons are carefully broken out or cut with a sharp knife so as not to damage the main stem. The bushes of the Bull's Heart are not distinguished by their dense foliage, so there is no need for additional removal of leaves. Tomato stepson - a side shoot that forms in the leaf axil

As the bush grows, it is tied to a trellis or other support. Most likely, there will be a need to fix the fruit clusters, because they are massive in the Ox Heart. Also, tying them will help to avoid their contact with the ground. The simplest trellis is several supports along the bed and a wire or rope stretched between them in 3-4 rows. In a greenhouse, you can tie bushes to the ceiling. Its height must be at least 2.5 m for the Ox Heart tomatoes to feel comfortable.
When growing an Oxheart tomato, you will have to tie not only the stems, but also the fruit clusters to the support.

Fight against late blight

The first symptom of late blight is grayish-brown, rapidly enlarging spots on the leaves and stems. In conditions of high humidity, the underside of the leaf becomes covered with a whitish cotton-like coating. Then brownish spots appear on the fruits. The tissues underneath soften and rot. Crop losses can be up to 70%.
Late blight is a real scourge of all plants from the Solanaceae family.

To prevent the development of late blight, seeds must be disinfected before planting. 2-3 days after planting, seedlings are sprayed with a solution of colloidal sulfur, soda ash or kefir diluted with water with the addition of iodine. Further, it is advisable to carry out such treatments weekly, alternating products. Another folk remedy prevention - a piece of copper wire tied around the base of the stem. The soil in the garden bed is periodically sprinkled with sifted wood ash, and add several crystals of potassium permanganate to the water for irrigation.
If nothing is done, late blight will deprive the gardener of a significant part or even the entire tomato harvest

Fungicides are used to combat the disease. Most gardeners prefer modern means of biological origin (Ecosil, Bayleton, Baikal-EM), but there are also those who prefer time-tested chemicals (copper oxychloride, Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate).

If the moment for control is missed and almost all the leaves are already affected, the tomatoes are immediately treated with a salt solution (1 kg per 10 l). This will destroy all the foliage, both infected and healthy, but will not allow the fungus to spread to the fruits; they will have time to ripen.

Video: late blight and methods of combating it

Growing Oxheart tomatoes at home

The Ox Heart tomato variety and any of the varieties bred on its basis are not very suitable for growing at home. The main reason is the size of the plant. There is not enough space for such bushes even on the balcony, let alone on the windowsill. Their root system is powerful and developed; it will not do well in a cramped pot.

In addition, early-ripening varieties with a ripening period of no more than 90–100 days are most often chosen for planting at home. The bull's heart does not satisfy this criterion either.
For planting on the windowsill and on the balcony, tomato varieties are chosen whose appearance is radically different from the exterior of the Bull's Heart

It is difficult to provide plants of this variety with nutrients in the required volume. If they are deficient, the fruits simply will not ripen. But raising the dose or shortening the intervals between feedings is also not an option.

Ideal for the windowsill are super-determinate varieties of tomatoes from the category of ampelous or standard tomatoes, the bush of which does not extend more than 0.5 m in height. It is also desirable that they be small-fruited - such tomatoes ripen faster. As you can easily see, Bull's Heart is a completely different story.

Summer is a time to enjoy abundance fresh vegetables. The Oxheart tomato, which is very simple and easy to grow, is in particular demand among summer residents. These are large, beautiful and very juicy tomatoes. They are able to attract the attention of every gourmet.

Description of tomato Bull's heart

The variety belongs to the group of large-fruited plants. This is a late-ripening species that is often grown in a greenhouse. But thanks to their high performance, the Ox's heart tomato develops well in open ground. At proper care the plant produces a plentiful and high-quality harvest. Distinctive feature The species is not only the size of the fruits, but also the stems themselves.

The height of the Bull's Heart tomato plant can reach 2 m. The leaf blades are of medium size. Their upper part is slightly covered with small fibers. When deformed, they are able to emit a peculiar smell that belongs only to tomatoes.

A characteristic feature of such tomatoes are fruits that can have not only different weight, but also shape. This variety can grow up to 15 cm in diameter. Their average weight reaches 500 grams, but there are cases when tomatoes grow about a kilogram. Because of this, they are rarely used for canning in their entirety. Ox heart is often used to make ketchup and various sauces. It is also good to use these tomatoes for juice.

The fruits of the Ox's heart are distinguished by excellent nutritional and aesthetic qualities. They are very useful for the human body.

Ripe tomatoes are rich in vital microelements, such as:

vitamin C, B, K;
pectin;
magnesium;
potassium;
phosphorus.

Their pulp also contains sugar, folic acid. After many studies, it was proven that in addition to the above microelements, tomatoes are rich in iron, iodine, silicon, and nicotinic acid. Ox heart is also famous for its high fiber content.

At proper cultivation bushes can collect up to 3.5 kg of ripe fruits. In greenhouse conditions, up to 12 kilograms of tomatoes are formed on one plant. In order for the plant to bear fruit well, you should not only adhere to proper watering, but also tie up the bushes in time. This is due to the large weight of the fruits, which are capable of breaking branches, thus stopping the proper development of plants.

Varieties of tomatoes for the garden

Main varieties of tomatoes Bull's heart:

Honey Spas. This type differs in the color of the fruit. Tomatoes have a rich orange hue. Their shape is often correct. Compared to other varieties, Honey Spas is different same size all the berries on the bush. From 5 to 6 vegetables can form on one branch. Their weight ranges from 300 to 500 g. Tomatoes are distinguished by good meatiness and a sweetish taste.
Lemon heart. Unripe fruits have a bright yellow tint, but over time they become Pink colour. This is one of the most large varieties. Tomatoes can grow up to 800 grams. A distinctive feature is their shape, which resembles a triangle. The pulp is very juicy and sweet. Ripe fruits have a slightly fruity taste. This variety is in particular demand due to its high yield. Growing ox heart tomatoes in open ground is very simple and does not require special skills.
Morning dew. This is the earliest variety compared to other species. The fruits are bright crimson, resembling a heart shape. They grow to medium size and weigh about 250 g. A distinctive feature of Morning Dew tomatoes is their rich taste, which can last for a long time. With proper planting and care, the bushes produce crops throughout the season. Ripe tomatoes can be observed even before frost.
Budenovka. This variety has round fruits with a pointed nose. They are very meaty and flavorful. Their weight is within 300 grams. Unripe tomatoes white with a slightly milky tint. But after being removed from the branch, the fruits ripen and acquire a rich red tone. These tomatoes can be stored at home for a very long time, without changing their appearance or taste.

Thanks to the work of world breeders, there are also varieties that produce yellow, black and white shade. In addition to their color, they differ in taste and ripening period.

Growing Oxheart tomatoes in open ground

This is a unique plant that, with proper care, can produce a stunning harvest. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to grow Ox's heart in open ground so that it pleases with its fruits. If you follow a number of rules, then on your table throughout the entire summer season, delicious and incredibly healthy tomatoes will show off.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Much depends on when the Oxheart is planted for seedlings, namely the yield. It is recommended to carry out this procedure 2 months before planting in open ground. In order for the grains to germinate well, you should pickle them well before putting them in the soil. This will prevent the development of other diseases. You can treat the seeds using a solution of potassium permanganate. To do this, dilute 10 g of the drug in one liter cold water. When stirred, the mixture will turn a deep pink color. Place ox heart tomato grains into the prepared liquid and wait about half an hour.

After this time, remove the seed from the water and place it on a cotton cloth to dry thoroughly. Then wet a towel and wrap the seeds in it. Keep them in this state until the first shoots appear. Prepared grains should first be sown in a box. They should be placed at a depth of 2 to 2.5 cm. To make the tomatoes germinate faster, it is recommended to cover the top of the container with polyethylene or put glass. Place the box in a warm place, periodically opening the mini-greenhouse for watering. As soon as the first shoots are visible, you can feed them with fertilizer. After the appearance of three full leaves, the seedlings dive.

Picking helps the proper development of the root system. If everything is done correctly, the plants will fully develop and produce a good harvest.

Time to plant seedlings in open ground

In order for young plants to take root well, they should be planted in late May or early June. If planting is carried out in a greenhouse, then this can be done earlier. Young plants are very sensitive to excess moisture, so during planting, weather conditions should be taken into account. If there is heavy rain outside for a long time, it is recommended to postpone the procedure for several days. To prevent the root system from rotting, the soil must dry out well.

Since mature bushes are voluminous, the distance between seedlings should be maintained. Planting seedlings must be carried out according to the scheme. On one square meter there are 4 plants at a distance of about 50 centimeters.

The seedlings must be buried down to the first leaves. This is done so that new roots appear on the stem. This planting will allow the plant to develop faster and produce a good harvest.

You need to choose a place for tomatoes that is well heated by the sun. The best option would be a plot located in the southern part of the yard.

Soil preparation

Growing and caring for ox heart tomatoes includes not only proper planting, but also the choice of soil. Plants grow well in soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Indicators should not exceed 6.5 pH.

When planting tomatoes, keep in mind that they love soil rich in organic matter. Before placing young plants in open ground, you need to fertilize the soil with humus or compost. To do this, per square meter you need to add up to 10 kg and up to 10 grams of a preparation rich in nitrogen. Also, we should not forget about the fertilizers that are placed in the hole. The best option would be a drug called “Urgan”. Place half a teaspoon of the mixture in each cavity. In areas that were fertilized in the fall, the amount of the product applied can be reduced.

Watering plants

Both pink oxheart tomatoes and other varieties need proper irrigation. Abundant watering should be carried out only during the period of active fruit formation. The procedure must be carried out very carefully, since water entering the leaf plates can cause burns. Fungal diseases develop faster in areas affected by moisture.

The water for the procedure should only be warm. This important condition in caring for tomatoes. Cold liquid can lead to rotting of the root system and fruit drop.

You shouldn't water young bushes often. If there is excess moisture, the trunk will stretch and begin to deform. Such bushes do not have sufficient density and often break under their own weight. Define improper watering possible on deciduous plates. If there is a lack of liquid, their surface becomes fluffy and rich green; if there is too much, the plates acquire a pale green tint.

Feeding

In order for tomatoes to produce a good harvest, they need to be fertilized twice a season. The first procedure should be planned 20 days after planting the seedlings in open ground. The second feeding should be carried out a month after the first. It is at this time that fruit formation occurs. Bushes should be fertilized only with liquid mixtures. To do this, put 15 grams of potassium fertilizer, 25 grams of a nitrogen mixture and about 40 grams of preparations with the maximum percentage of phosphorus in a bucket of water. The resulting mixture should be evenly distributed over 15 bushes. The second feeding should be carried out in a ratio of 10 liters for every 7 bushes. In order to prevent the appearance of blossom end rot, plants should be sprayed with calcium nitrate once every 7 days. This procedure should begin during the period of fruit growth. It is also recommended to periodically fertilize tomatoes between rows. To do this, use a mixture of phosphorus and nitrogen preparations.

Mulching

This is an important procedure, thanks to which you can maintain the required percentage of moisture inside the soil, get rid of various types of weeds and prevent overheating or waterlogging of the root system. Cardboard, film, sawdust, straw or peat are suitable as mulch. The material should be laid after the seedlings are planted in open ground. The mulch should be in good contact with the stem. This is an important condition that will give the desired result. Before mulching, the bushes should be watered and the soil should be slightly loosened.

Seed collection

In order to grow healthy seedlings, you can use both purchased grains and collect them yourself. Conduct collection planting material should only be used with ripe tomatoes. It is best if the fruits ripen on their own on the branch and are detached from the stalk. This will allow the grains not to lose their maternal qualities. Cut ripe tomatoes into several parts. Place the selected grains in a bowl and rinse thoroughly under running water. Then transfer the seeds to a paper towel and place them in a dark place to dry. Store these grains until next year in a glass container that will be well closed.

Before you grow ox heart tomatoes on your plot, you need to carefully study the characteristics of this plant. By observing the conditions of planting and care, you can get a harvest that will surprise not only you, but also all your neighbors.

Bull's heart tomatoes are a unique plant. Correct fit and whose care gives abundant results throughout the season. Follow a number of simple rules and you will certainly get what you want.

Features of growing tomato Bull's heart - video

When they say about someone that this person is big heart, usually refers to the breadth of soul and the amazing ability to empathize with loved ones and strangers. But it turns out that such a phrase is not always an allegory. The causes of bull's heart in humans, as well as treatment methods and the dangers associated with it will be discussed in this article.

Characteristics of the condition

Cardiomegaly is often called "bull's heart." This term implies an increase in heart size of more than 500 g (with a normal adult size of 300 g) due to:

enlargement of the heart chambers without thickening of muscle tissue (dilatation);
thickening of muscle tissue.

Cardiomegaly develops more often in men.

Causes of heart enlargement

Pathological causes that cause the development of bovine heart in an adult include:

Anomalies of development and valvular apparatus of the heart.
Myocardial hypertrophy due to arterial hypertension or heart defects.
Cardiomyopathies.
Myocarditis, including autoimmune, caused by long-term use of drugs toxic to the heart muscle (cytostatics, some antihypertensive drugs and antiarrhythmics, barbiturates and antiepileptic drugs).
Ischemia. After a heart attack, cardiomegaly develops infrequently, but its development cannot be excluded.

Concomitant factors that negatively affect the myocardium include: metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity), severe renal pathologies, frequent infectious diseases, abuse of beer, as well as any alcoholic drinks. If a person regularly drinks 3-5 liters of beer per day, over time he will develop not only a “beer belly”, but also a “beer enlarged heart.” The size of the organ can exceed 2 and sometimes 3 times the norm.

Cardiomegaly can be diagnosed during fetal development. Its main causes are congenital heart defects and diseases of the blood system. The danger is that a third of babies with this pathology die during the first 3 months of life, while a quarter suffer from left ventricular failure throughout their lives.

Factors leading to such changes are:

The influence of mutagenic factors on the parents’ body (including ionizing radiation).
An ecologically unfavorable area where a pregnant woman lives.
Bad habits of the mother: smoking, alcohol and drug addiction.
fetal hearts.
Infections suffered by a woman during pregnancy (especially TORCH infections and primary herpes virus infection of any strain, less commonly influenza).
Insufficient nutrition, vitamin deficiencies.

Changes in the size of an organ during intrauterine development often accompany other serious pathologies. For example, chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome) or such a rare pathology as a defect of the tricuspid (3-leaf) valve with its dysplasia and displacement to the right ventricle (Ebstein's anomaly).

Signs of pathology

Unfortunately, the symptoms of the described pathology are not specific. They accompany any heart disease and require a visit to a cardiologist and additional research. The main symptoms are as follows:

Increased fatigue.
Reduced ability to exercise.
Shortness of breath in the middle of the night and after physical exertion.
Swelling in the area of the feet and legs.
Feeling of heartbeat.
Pain behind the sternum.
Abdominal enlargement.

In children, in the absence of correction of the condition, starting from preschool age, the following symptoms are noted:

Decreased appetite.
Sleep disturbance.
Fatigue.
Poor exercise tolerance.
Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle.
Failure in learning.
Lability nervous system, neurological pathologies.

Diagnostic tactics and treatment practically do not depend on the patient’s age. The sooner correction of the condition begins, the greater the patient’s chances for a normal life.

Diagnostics

ABOUT The generally accepted standard for determining cardiomegaly in medical circles is ultrasound diagnostics. This is the main one diagnostic method, especially for identifying pathology in newborns and children 1 year of age.

Radiation and MRI are less commonly used. It is very rare that a biopsy sample is required for examination. Invasive methods are considered possible if the growth of malignant tumors in the heart area is suspected.

If the method of detecting changes was radiography, it should be remembered that false diagnosis or detection of pseudocardiomegaly is possible for the following reasons:

Accumulation of fluid in the heart sac (pericardium).
Formation of exudate in the pleural cavity due to injury or pleurisy.
With ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity).
With mild physiological curves of the spinal column (with “straight back syndrome”).

In addition to radiography, to confirm that the myocardial volume is indeed increased, the following hardware methods can be used: ECG, EchoCG.

Treatment

Therapeutic tactics are aimed at eliminating the cause of cardiomegaly (if possible), maintaining normal organ function and preventing heart failure. The pathology is irreversible. Treatment includes:

Heart transplant.
Implantation of a left ventricular assist device.
Implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator.
Diet therapy (salt-free diet with a minimum amount of animal fats and plenty of vegetables and fruits).
Moderate intensity aerobic exercise 5 days a week.
Limitation of alcohol, drugs, and smoking (complete cessation of these habits is desirable).
Surgical intervention for pathology of the valve apparatus.
Reducing the load on the heart by prescribing diuretics.
Medications are selected by a cardiologist depending on the underlying pathology.

Idiopathic cardiomegaly poses some difficulty for physicians. That is, a situation in which the fact of heart enlargement is recorded, but the reasons could not be determined. To reduce preload on the myocardium, ACE inhibitors can be prescribed to newborns. With the correct dosage, the rehabilitation process can be started a couple of years after the start of treatment. Treatment of adult patients involves fighting hypertension, normalizing metabolic processes, and reducing the load on the organ.