The tomato with an unusual name got it for a reason: the size of the fruits is really impressive, as well as the rich yellow-orange color. Fleshy and juicy, these tomatoes have an excellent taste, so they are used with pleasure both for raw consumption and for preservation. Tomato Orange Elephant can also be used to make juices, sauces and various dishes, in which it will be perfectly combined with other ingredients.
In the ripening stage, the fruits usually acquire a dark green, and then a greenish-yellow hue, which subsequently gains the same famous, rich orange color. Fleshy roundish fruits are most often located in 6-7 pieces on one bush, so if we talk about productivity, then, according to reviews, it is average. Nevertheless, prolonged fruiting makes this species desirable in any garden, and the tomatoes themselves – a favorite dish on any table.The variety of these large tomatoes goes well with other types of tomatoes, so it can be not only tasty, but also an aesthetically attractive ingredient, decorating any salad or dish.
Benefits of the variety
The main advantage of a tomato can be considered its versatility, because the fruits of this plant can be used anywhere. Its juiciness and meatiness, as well as its excellent taste, make it possible to use it for preparing various dishes and fresh. Its size is also an obvious advantage, as well as its unusual color.
Gardeners note the fact that a summer-colored tomato contains a huge amount of carotene and vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the human body. It is its useful composition that makes the Orange Elephant tomato so popular.
Disadvantages
But as for the minuses, they are insignificant. First of all, this is a low yield, which forces gardeners to plant more bushes if they want to get a tangible amount of this “orange miracle.”
In addition, their sweet taste can disappear if you neglect the rules for the care and cultivation of this tomato varieties. According to gardeners, “Elephant” does not require special tricks, but you still need to know some tricks to get really juicy and tasty tomatoes.
Secrets of planting this tomato variety
If you want to become the owner of delicious and juicy tomatoes, it is best to plant seedlings in specially prepared soil. Seeds are usually renewed every year, because the seeds from the fruits themselves are not suitable for seedlings.
Before you start planting tomatoes, you need to prepare the ground, and this should be a container with really good soil. Three months pass from planting a seed to ripening tomatoes, although if the sun is enough and the area has a warm climate, the fruits can ripen much earlier. It is worth sowing seedlings at the end of March or at the beginning of April so that already at the end of May it is possible to transplant the plants into the prepared soil.
Soil for seedlings must first be prepared
The planting scheme is of great importance, so you need to remember that the best option is 40×60 cm. The seedlings must be laid in grooves, depth which are not less than 5 cm. Well-watered soil rich in chernozem and fertilizers is an ideal “home” for a tomato that “thanks” it willow host a bountiful harvest. If the soil is acidic and hard, then it must be diluted with sand and manure, otherwise the crop will be very scarce.
How to Care for the Orange Elephant Variety
Despite the fact that this type of tomato is not whimsical, it still requires some care. Growing Orange Elephant Tomato, you need to remember about such nuances as:
- watering;
- weeding;
- fertilizing;
- the presence of light;
- the absence of drafts.
In addition, it is worth remembering about airing if tomatoes are grown in greenhouse conditions. To do this, it is enough to open windows and doors so that the air needed by the seedlings goes into the room. In addition, airing helps to remove excess moisture, which will also favorably affect the growth and development of fruits.
Watering the tomatoes should be done at least twice a week, although pouring them too much is not worth it, as they will begin to rot. The best option is to water under the very root so that the liquid does not overflow. The leaves need to be sprayed with water, so you need to use a special bottle that has a spray bottle. It is important to understand that the water must be clean, without any additives, and the temperature is not too low. You can pre-fill the liquid in a barrel and let it stand before spraying.
For feeding, it is important to have high-quality fertilizer, in which there is manure, chicken droppings, humus, as well as the addition of saltpeter, potassium sulfate, minerals and much more.You can feed tomatoes under the root or outside the root, and the optimal time of day is evening or morning.
T. K. Bushes grow tall enough, they must be tied. For this purpose, special stakes are suitable, for which you need to attach growing plants, not allowing them to bend under the weight of their own weight.
Fight against diseases and pests
Description growing tomatoes is not limited to top dressing or watering. Of great importance for the quality and quantity of the crop is the treatment of diseases and disease prevention. Like all living creatures, tomatoes can hurt, so it’s important to prevent the problem before it spreads and ruins the entire crop. Usually an important part of preventive measures is spraying the leaves with soap and water, as well as potassium permanganate and garlic solution. This helps to combat the invasion of not only diseases, but also parasites – bugs, caterpillars and other insects.
If you notice that the tomatoes become stained, it’s best to just get rid of spoiled leaves and purchase remedies from the store. However, this variety of tomatoes does not get sick so often, so it is not afraid of disease. It is important only to feed the plants on time and create the necessary conditions.
Given these simple tips, you can count on the fact that the harvest of such exotic tomatoes will certainly please with their quantity, and the tomatoes themselves with quality. A detailed description allows us to conclude that this variety is worthy of the attention of breeders.
