Characteristics of the tomato variety Mikado Pink
For growing on personal backyards, many varieties of tomatoes are suitable. Some gardeners prefer high-yielding varieties, others prefer taste, and still others are attracted by the variety of colors or sizes of fruits.
Since the middle of the last century, representatives of the Mikado variety and its varieties have appeared in the gardens. But the Mikado Pink tomato was registered only in 2015, although it was grown almost everywhere. It is best suited for salads and fresh, whole fruits.
Plant characteristic
Tomato Mikado Pink is classified as an indeterminate variety.
- Growth in greenhouses can be taller than 1.9m.
- The fruits of this variety are pink in color and have a semi-rounded shape.
- They taste sweet and sugary.
- In terms of ripening, it is classified as a mid-early variety.
- It is not very resistant to various viruses and diseases.
- Fruits are formed in weight, each up to 600g, from the first harvest and somewhat smaller, from subsequent harvests.
On tall stems, it can grow up to 9kg of production, of good appearance and quality.
Description of tomatoes
When a greenhouse is taken for growing tomatoes, the height of this variety will depend on its height. With free growth, its height can reach up to 2.5 m. The tomato bush is most often grown in two stems. The presence of large fruits requires strong supports or trellises that can withstand a large weight of ripe products.
The tomato stems Mikado Pink are very strong but brittle. The leaves are deep green in shape and resemble those of a potato. At the level of 8 - 9 leaves, brushes are formed, in which there are up to 9 flowers. Every 2 - 4 leaves, the next brush is laid.
In total, it is recommended to leave no more than 8 ovaries per brush. From one plant, you can get about 6 kg of fruits, which means that the yield of this variety is not high. But this disadvantage is compensated by the amazing sweet taste of tomatoes. The Mikado Pink tomato variety will give a higher yield in a greenhouse.
So, Mikado Pink tomato, its description will not be complete if we do not say anything about the shape of the fruit. The fruits have a rounded, slightly flattened shape, in the region of the stalk. At the stage of milky ripeness, tomatoes are lettuce-colored, with a bright green spot at the stalk. Ripe tomatoes are completely pink, without spots and stripes.
Soil preparation for seedlings
Tomatoes Mikado Pink, based on feedback from gardeners, we will grow in seedlings.
Planting seedlings in heated greenhouses can take place at the very beginning of April, in the cold regions of the country. For greenhouses not heated, sowing seeds can be started at the beginning of March, then in May we will receive seedlings suitable for planting.
Approximately 2 months before planting in a permanent place, you need to prepare containers with soil and seeds.Drainage is poured at the bottom of the tanks, in the form of coarse sand. The soil is prepared from ordinary garden soil, but it is pre-fried. Fine sand, rotted mullein and ash are added to the ground. Wet soil should not stick together when compressed, but have a crumbly structure.
Seed preparation and planting
Seeds, before sowing, must be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. A few crystals of manganese are added to warm water to make the color of the liquid faintly colored.
You can add to the solution: for 1 liter, fresh, squeezed juice of one aloe leaf. The seed is soaked overnight before sowing.
On the prepared soil, spread evenly, washed with running water, seeds. The main thing is that they do not lie too thick. Sprinkle them on top with a layer of soil from 0.5 to 1 cm in height. From a spray gun, irrigate the surface of the soil and cover the containers with a film.
It is necessary to germinate the seed at a temperature of at least 25g during the day, and at night it can be reduced to 16g. As needed, we irrigate the soil and then the seedlings appear, approximately on the 5th day. After the sprouts appear, the temperature and humidity are monitored. If you can see drops of moisture on the leaves, then you need to remove the film and ventilate the plants. This description of the planting and care process will make it possible to get healthy seedlings.
Top dressing of seedlings
In the two months that the seedlings will spend in containers, they need to be fed and dived three times. You can dive at the stage of appearance of two pairs of true leaves. Top dressing is carried out with liquid organic matter. To do this, take a mullein, in a ratio of 1: 2, and put it in the heat for two weeks. The finished mixture is diluted 1:10 with warm water and watered very carefully, under the root.
Boric acid can be used to fertilize and control small insects. It is also diluted with water, but different manufacturers produce it in different concentrations. Therefore, prepare the desired solution, follow the instructions. Foliar top dressing is carried out by spraying. Tomatoes respond very well to fertilization and the seedlings grow strong and healthy.
Planting seedlings in greenhouses and soil
Before planting seedlings in the ground, they must be hardened for 10 days. To do this, the containers are taken out into the fresh air under the sun, starting at 30 minutes a day. By gradually increasing this term, we will be able to harden our seedlings and they will not get burned when transplanted into open ground. But, since our Mikado Pink tomatoes are most grown in greenhouses, there is no need to harden the plants.
The characteristics of this variety suggest that in greenhouses, they grow more productive and more resistant to diseases. Tomatoes are removed from containers and transferred to greenhouses. Before that, markings are made for future rows so that 1sq. m there were no more than 4 plants, while the aisles between the rows are not taken into account. Holes are stuffed with a hoe, and a strong support is installed near each of them.
Ash and rotted, several years old, manure can be poured into the holes. Each hole is spilled with warm water and tomatoes are planted. Indoors, the same temperature is observed, about 25g and the plants are watered abundantly because they like moist soil.
Tomato care
Caring for tomatoes is not very difficult, you just need to adhere to some rules.
- Be sure to tie the stems and the area of the fruit brush.
- Remove all stepchildren, except for the first, from which the second stem is formed.
- It is advisable to remove excess leaves for better air circulation.
- Constantly loosen the soil and remove weeds, which can be used as organic fertilizer.
- Water only with warm water, in the evening or in cloudy weather.
- Carry out the necessary dressing for better growth and ripening of fruits.
- To do preventive treatment of bushes to prevent the development of viruses and diseases.
Heavy Mikado fruits can cause stem breakage, so fixing them to supports will be necessary.
After the formation of the second stem, so that the plant does not weaken, all newly formed stepchildren are removed. They and weeds that did not have time to set seeds can be used for organic fertilizers. To do this, put all the greens in a barrel or other container and fill it with water. After a while, the fermented mixture is diluted with water 1:10 and watered under the root.
Chemical fertilizers can also be used when preparing solutions for foliar feeding. The description of the operation and the recipe are usually found on the back of the bag. A drug such as boric acid and its derivatives can be used as an insect repellent.
Diseases and prevention
For the prevention of late blight, you can use Bordeaux liquid before planting seedlings. The bushes are treated with fresh milk, adding to it: for 1 dose of milk 10 doses of water, plus 200 ml of wood ash and 2 or 3 drops of iodine. For fungal infections, copper oxychloride or cuproxate will help. Chemicals are prepared according to the recipe and always respecting personal protection and hygiene.
Fruit collection and consumption
Mikado Pink tomatoes must be picked as they ripen. Finished products can be stored for a long time because the skin of the fruit is firm and firm. You can eat tomatoes:
- fresh, like salads;
- processing into juices;
- in the form of canned ketchups and dressings.
Delicious, fleshy fruits can be useful for juices that have a lot of pulp. Ketchups have a delicate pink color and sweet taste. In salads, fresh tomatoes look beautiful if you add enough herbs, onions and oil, sunflower or olive.
Conclusion
Although Mikado is Pink and not very productive, its fruits are tasty and healthy. By planting this variety of tomatoes on our plots, in greenhouses, we can cook various dishes at a time when tomatoes have not yet appeared on the shelves. Observing agricultural techniques, fertilizing the plants and caring for them in time, we will not only grow healthy bushes, but also get from each of them about 9 kg, truly royal, huge fruits. Our reviews and recommendations will help many people start growing these tomatoes.