Tomato "Pink Claire" - the best solution for the southern regions

Tomato Pink Clear F1 is a wonderful pink-fruited hybrid with heavy fruits that have a pleasant taste. It can be used in a number of culinary recipes and is made easy to grow due to its excellent disease resistance.

Description and characteristics of the tomato variety

Pink Claire tomatoes were bred by the Israeli company Hazera Genetics Ltd. The hybrid was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2012.

The bushes are indeterminate (tall), branched, with a powerful root system. The hybrid is suitable for cultivation in open ground in the southern regions of the country, greenhouse conditions in the middle zone.

Pictured are Pink Claire tomatoes.

The table shows the distinctive features of tomato.

Growing regions

Israeli breeders developed the hybrid based on the climatic characteristics of the country, so Pink Claire behaves best in hot and dry climates. Ideal regions for cultivation within Russia are considered to be the Krasnodar Territory, Crimea, and Astrakhan Region.

In the middle zone, the crop is grown only in greenhouse conditions.

Features of growing the variety

The seedling method of cultivation is recommended. Since it takes 90-100 days for the first fruits to ripen, you can calculate the time for planting the seeds. This is usually early to mid March.

Before sale, seeds are treated for major diseases. As a rule, additional disinfection is not required. But you can soak the seeds in a growth stimulator for 10-12 hours, and be sure to dry them before sowing.

Recommended regions for cultivation

The Pink Clear tomato grows well in all climatic regions. It must be taken into account that for central Russia, a tomato will not grow without additional shelter. Planting in greenhouses, film beds, and greenhouses is used.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Pink Claire F1 hybrid include:

• high content of nicotinic acid, B vitamins;
• high productivity;
• resistance to viral diseases;
• pleasant taste and aroma;
• possibility of transportation over long distances;
• versatility of use;
• drought resistance;
• the fruits do not decrease in size throughout the entire fruiting period (until the end of October);
• Possibility of cultivation on any type of soil.

Among the disadvantages are:

• the need for pinching, bush formation and gartering;
• the plant requires timely application of fertilizer;
• susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Reference . First generation hybrids (F1) quickly degenerate and are not recommended for cultivation in subsequent years. Therefore, farmers should renew their seed every year.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of the variety:

• excellent taste of the fruit;
• high productivity;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions: drought, heat, temperature changes;
• immunity to the main diseases of tomatoes in greenhouses.

Among the shortcomings are::

• the need to form a bush;
• sensitivity to soil nutrition.

You can compare the yield of the variety in the table below:

How to grow

Pink Claire is easy to care for, but in order to get a rich harvest, experienced farmers recommend adhering to the rules of sowing, growing seedlings and planting in the ground.

Preparing and sowing seeds

Hybrid seeds do not require a disinfection procedure, but actions aimed at stimulating growth will not be superfluous. The seed material is soaked in Epin-Extra, Zircon, and Immunocytophyte products for 12 hours. Some gardeners prefer natural remedies - aloe and potato juice, infusion of onion peels and ash, honey. This will help shorten the growing season by 2-3 days and increase germination.

Sowing begins in the third ten days of February - the first ten days of March. Any container is suitable for planting seeds: plastic pots, containers, cups, juice or milk tetra packs. The depth of the container should be at least 5 cm, with holes for water to pass through.

The ideal soil for seedlings is a mixture of black soil with peat and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1. Before laying in containers, the soil is loosened and complex fertilizers are applied.

To sow, seeds are buried 2 cm into the soil, watered generously with warm water, and plastic wrap is placed on top.

As soon as the shoots appear, the film is removed and the seedlings are taken out to a windowsill with good lighting, or placed under a phytolamp. The optimal temperature is +20…+25 °C. Water moderately as the soil dries out.

Picking is carried out in large seedling boxes after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. At the same time, complex fertilizing is applied.

Rules for planting in the ground

Planting seedlings in open soil begins in the third decade of May. A few days before this, they fertilize with mullein and chicken droppings.

The holes are filled with hot water, wait for it to cool and the seedlings are planted. Plants are placed at a distance of 60 cm from each other, since the bushes grow sprawling and require space. Tomatoes do well in soil where zucchini, beans, peas, onions, and garlic previously grew.

The row spacing is 70 cm, the type of arrangement of seedlings is checkerboard. Planting density – 3 bushes per 1 m².

The lower leaves and side shoots are removed. The bushes are tied to supports and formed into two stems.

Bush care and watering

Activities for caring for Pink Claire tomatoes include weeding, watering, fertilizing and prevention of bacterial diseases of nightshade crops.

Weeding is carried out once a week before watering. Weeds draw moisture and nutrients from the soil, so weeding is mandatory.

The bushes are watered no more than 2-3 times a week in the evening so that the leaves do not get burned. In rainy weather, watering is stopped and resumed when the heat sets in.

Moderation of watering is the main condition for obtaining tasty tomatoes. Excess moisture leads to loss of taste. The pulp becomes too watery and tasteless.

Top dressing

Fertilizers are applied regularly, with an interval of 14 days:

1. For the first time, take chicken manure diluted in 10 liters of water. Ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride are also suitable.
2. The second feeding is carried out using 1 liter of mullein infusion mixed with 25 g of superphosphate and two teaspoons of ash.
3. The third fertilizer contains wood ash (3 tbsp), superphosphate (25 g) and manganese sulfate (0.5 g).
4. Removal of side shoots is carried out once every 10-14 days.

Reference . If the tomatoes grow poorly and there are practically no ovaries, increase the amount of fertilizing. If the plant grows green mass, but does not form ovaries, stop fertilizing.

Landing

In the southern regions, planting is carried out in the fall so that the seedlings receive enough moisture. In the middle zone - planted in the spring to avoid freezing. Apple trees with a closed root system can be planted in summer.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

One-year or two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting. A one-year-old may not have obvious branches, but a two-year-old must have 2-3 branches. You should not buy a tree with damage to the trunk, dry, brittle or rotten roots. Before planting, the root system of the apple tree is soaked in water for two to three hours.

Landing location

Protect the tree from drafts

To plant Pink Lady, choose a sunny place located away from drafts and groundwater. You should not plant an apple tree in lowlands where moisture (rain or melt) accumulates and stagnates. The soil should be loose, fertile, neutral or slightly acidic. On heavy soils, sand is added to the soil mixture, on sandy soils - clay, on acidic soils - slaked lime.

Landing technology

• A month before planting, dig a hole 70-80 cm deep and 1 m wide.
• A support - a peg - is driven into the center of the hole (for subsequent garter).
• The top layer of garden soil is mixed with humus, compost and peat, ash and superphosphate (100-150 g) are added.
• Fill with the top so that the mound above the soil reaches 15 cm.
• On the day of planting, make a hole in the substrate according to the size of the root system.
• Place the seedling, straightening the roots well.
• Sprinkle with a nutrient mixture, leaving the root collar 2-3 cm above the ground level.
• Compact and water (3-4 buckets of water).
• Tie the apple tree to the support (without pressing).
• Mulch the tree trunk circle with hay, sawdust, and peat chips.
• Construct an earthen roller around the perimeter to retain moisture during future watering.

Preventive measures

Rules to help protect tomatoes from attacks by insect pests and bacteria:

1. An excess of nitrogen in the soil provokes the development of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, it is important not to overdo it with fertilization.
2. Weeds provide a breeding ground for bacteria, aphids, Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies and slugs. Timely weeding will help avoid the problem.
3. The preparations “Zubr” and “Confidor” successfully destroy the Colorado potato beetle and aphids.
4. Insecticides in aerosols or treatment with decoctions of chamomile, celandine, and yarrow will help get rid of insects.
5. Before planting seedlings, the soil is treated with copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
6. Periodic treatment with Fitosporin or a light pink solution of potassium permanganate reduces the risk of infection with phytosporosis.

Rules of care

Pink Lady needs the usual care for an apple tree. In dry times, it needs to be watered, pruned annually and fed several times a year.

To prevent diseases and pests, it is important to regularly thin out the crown and keep the tree trunk clean.

Watering

During the first time after planting, the apple tree is watered 1-2 times a week. In future seasons, regular watering is only needed during dry periods. In addition, moisturizing is useful during budding, after flowering and in preparation for winter.

Top dressing

Fertilizing is carried out only for the next spring - the tree trunk circle is dug up along with compost or humus. In mid-summer, fertilizer granules are placed in specially made holes or grooves so that nutrients can reach the roots. In the fall, the apple tree is fed with phosphorus and potassium and mulched with organic matter.

Trimming and shaping

In a two-year-old seedling, the main conductor is cut into 2-3 buds (the skeletal branches are shortened accordingly). When the tree reaches full growth, it is recommended to transfer it to one of the side branches.

Annual sanitary pruning involves removing branches directed towards the middle of the crown, as well as dry, damaged and diseased ones.

Protection from diseases and pests

The best protection against fungal diseases is proper care: pruning and thinning, weeding, loosening, mulching.

For prevention, trees are sprayed with copper sulfate, Fitosporin, and XOM. To avoid pest invasion, birds are attracted to the garden, trunks are whitened, hollows are treated, and hunting belts are hung. In autumn, fallen leaves are raked from under the apple tree and burned.

Reviews

Experienced gardeners and novice gardeners speak positively about Pink Claire tomatoes.

Anna, Yeisk: “I’ve been growing the hybrid for three years in a row and I’m happy with everything. The bushes are large and branched. The fruits are medium in size, the pulp is sweet and aromatic. Tomatoes are suitable for pickling, pickling and preparing fresh seasonal salads.”

Vladimir, Dzhankoy: “I’ve been eyeing the Pink Claire seeds for a long time and last year I decided to plant them. I did everything strictly according to the instructions, applied fertilizers and watered on time. The result was a rich harvest. The tomatoes are tasty, juicy and sweet.”

Evgeniy, Krasnodar: “I have been growing Pink Claire tomatoes since the seeds appeared on the market. Every year I try something new, but I don’t change this hybrid. Fruiting is abundant, until the onset of frost. The tomatoes ripen at the same time, are almost the same size and are stored for a long time.”

Description

Pink Claire is a 1st generation hybrid, early ripening, productive. It takes up to 100 days from the first sprout to the finished fruit. The fruits grow in tassels (5-6 pieces) on strong, spreading bushes with powerful labyrinths of roots. The plant needs timely pinching.

The shape of the fruit is round and even. Size is medium to large. The skin is thick, shiny, slightly scarred, and has a warm pink hue without spots. The juicy, sugary pulp contains few seeds. The fruits have a rich taste, a slight sourness is noticeable against the background of a tart sweet aroma.

Pink Clear came from Israel, so growing it in open beds is only advisable in warm regions. If the climate is not hot enough, tomatoes should be grown in glass greenhouses and hotbeds with thick film.

What explains the popularity of the variety?

Initially, this tomato hybrid was intended exclusively for cultivation in greenhouses. It was also allowed to be planted in film greenhouses. This need is explained by the fact that the plant is extremely sensitive to climatic conditions. If you do not create ideal conditions for it, then there is a high probability of not just a decrease in the yield level, but also the death of the plant. However, in some regions, planting in the ground is still possible. But only on condition that these regions have a warm climate.

It is worth noting that the Picnic Unicum F1 tomato is often used for making juices. Thanks to the unique texture of the fruit, it is possible to obtain juice with a rich taste. In addition, the juice is quite thick. Therefore, sometimes people who are lovers of tomato juice or canned food grow tomatoes in their gardens.

Fruit characteristics

By the time the fruits ripen, the bushes can barely withstand a rich harvest of attractive original fruits, which have the following features:

• The fruits have a regular round shape, grow in small clusters, the shape of the first tomatoes is more flattened than the rest.
• The color of ripe fruits is rich bright pink.
• The fruit weight is even, up to 200g.
• Tomato pulp is tender and juicy, with a dry matter content of about 7%, rich in carotene, lycopene, and B vitamins.
• The surface is smooth, without dents.
• Tomatoes are not prone to cracking.
• They are distinguished by high shelf life and resistance to transportation.
• The fruits have an excellent taste, are suitable for use in the form of salads and juices, do not lose their properties when cooked, are suitable for use in dried form, for preservation in the form of various ketchups and lecho.

The Pink Bush tomato, according to reviews from summer residents, attracts attention not only with the attractive appearance of ripe fruits, which can be noted in the photo, but also with its high yield - up to 12 kg per square meter

Features of fruiting hybrids

The Pink Top F1 hybrid is considered the earliest: the manufacturer’s description promises fruit ripening already 70-75 days after sowing. Ultra-early tomato is intended for growing in a greenhouse and is recommended for farmers for harvesting early vegetables.

The Pink series also includes other varieties that have the same color characteristics:

1. Pink Impression appeared in the State Register of Russia only in 2022, although it was introduced about 10 years ago. Productivity is high: 8-9 kg per bush. Tomatoes weighing 180-250 g are arranged in 5-6 pieces. on each brush. Belongs to the early varieties, bears fruit on 90-100 days.
2. Tomato Pink Harvest F1. Average ripening period (about 110 days from the date of sowing). Can be grown in open ground and greenhouses. Up to 5 fruits weighing 200-230 g are formed on the cluster. The total yield is 6-7 kg per plant.
3. Tomato Pink Rose. Early ripening (85-90 days before harvest). The weight of the fruit is 250-270 g, 4-6 tomatoes are formed on the bunch. Pink Rose F1 is a universal type tomato. It can be planted both in a greenhouse and in a vegetable garden. The hybrid is resistant to drought and temperature changes.
4. Tomato Pink Shine F1. It is considered medium-late (at least 120 days before harvesting the fruits). The variety is suitable for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses, but in the northern regions it is recommended to cultivate only under cover, otherwise the plant does not have time to fully produce its harvest. The weight of 1 tomato is 210-215 g. Under good growing conditions, you can get up to 15 kg of product from 1 m².
5. Ultra early tomato Pink Delight. Ripens 70-75 days after sowing. The fruits are smooth, weighing 250 g, collected in clusters of 5-6 pieces. Suitable for open and closed ground.
6. Tomato Pink Moon. Universal, early ripening (about 90 days before harvest). Compared to other varieties, it is smaller-fruited and produces tomatoes weighing up to 200 g.
7. Along with the hybrids of the Pink series, it also produces a pink cherry variety. It does not have its own name, but meets the same characteristics as other hybrids. Cherry tomato produces long clusters of small fruits (up to 60 g), which ripen at the same time. This is convenient for farming and growing tomatoes for sale, since cherry tomatoes are often harvested with a bunch.

All Pink hybrids are characterized by high sugar content of fruits (up to 6.5-7%). Reviews from vegetable growers note the sweet dessert taste of the fruit. They are used for summer salads and gourmet snacks, and miniature cherry tomatoes can be used to decorate cocktails containing alcohol (gin, rum).

Among the advantages of the Pink group is the absence of heterogeneity in the color of the skin and pulp. Tomatoes do not have a green spot on the stalk and a light-colored core. The pink color of the skin and pulp makes them beautiful and original.

The fruits are suitable for canning as a whole. They are small, round, approximately the same in size, and therefore convenient for placing in jars. The dense consistency of the pulp and hard skin do not allow them to lose their shape during processing. Juice is usually not made from them, since its color will be pale, but tomatoes can be suitable for sauce and lecho because of their excellent taste.