"Black Prince" primarily known for dark burgundy color of its fruit. The rest is the usual high-yielding large-fruited tomato variety.
"Black Prince" was withdrawn by breeders from China. Genetic engineering was used in its cultivation, but the variety is not considered a GMO, so lovers of healthy food can use this variety of tomatoes without fear.
In the article you will learn what the “Black Prince” tomato is, its characteristics and description, as well as the peculiarities of growing this variety.
"Black Prince": description and characteristics of the variety
Despite the absence of fundamental differences in the cultivation and care, the Black Prince tomato is still different from its counterparts, followed by a brief description.
"Black Prince" refers to the indeterminate shrubs, that is, there are no restrictions for height growth. Like all large-fruited varieties of tomatoes, requires a garter.
Inflorescences are formed after 7-9 sheets. On one brush forms up to 4-5 tomatoes. The fruits have a rounded shape, sometimes they are still slightly elongated at the end. The taste of the fruit is fragrant and sugar, and the maximum weight of each can reach 400 g
The unusual color of the fruit "Black Prince" was due to the mixture of carotenoid and lycopene with anthocyanins.
The Black Prince's fruiting period is rather long. This variety of tomato may pereopolylyatsya with other species of solanaceous crops, therefore, experienced gardeners are advised to plant the "Black Prince" at a distance of one and a half meters from them.
The Black Prince variety tomato is preferably consumed fresh, they are not suitable for long-term storage and transportation. When cooking color becomes familiar "tomato".
Selection of seed
When selecting seed, it is better to choose varieties of domestic producers, they will be most adapted to the local climate. Imported seeds often look more attractive, but when they are grown, unforeseen difficulties may arise, which may result in a loss of the crop.
Also one of the most important moments - shelf lifeif it has already expired, the seed germination drops significantly and the yield of those that germinate will be much lower than expected.
How to plant the "Black Prince"
Tomatoes "Black Prince" for the most part are no different from other indeterminate large-fruited varieties of tomatoes, so their cultivation will not be a problem. Immediately before planting it is necessary to prepare the seeds and soil.
Seed preparation
On sale you can find 2 types of seeds: some of them were decontaminated at the production stage, and the necessary nutrients were applied to them, while others were normal. At first there is a colored casing, and everything is simple with them: they can be planted right away in a container for seedlings, no additional preparation is needed.
If the seeds are normal, then the standard rules for the preparation of tomato seeds:
- It is necessary to cut the bandage strips of 20─24 cm in length, fold in half.
- Seeds fall asleep in the middle of this piece, roll roll and tie a thread.
- Place the finished convolutions into a container and pour light red solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. Then it needs to be drained, wash the bandages directly in the tank, using running water.
- Soak tomato seeds in a bandage with a growth stimulator for 10─12 hours. Dosages choose according to the instructions.
- After this, the solution is drained, the seeds need to be filled with water so that it covers the bandages by half. Leave in a warm place for 2 days, while the fabric should remain moist all the time.
Important! If you want to get an early seedling and began harvesting seeds in February, the shoots must be highlighted with a lamp for 14-16 hours.
Soil preparation
Soil acidity is an important indicator in preparing the soil for growing tomatoes. For the "Black Prince" is the best value of 6.0 - 6.7. All tomatoes prefer a light fertile soil, if your overly acidic, then it must be lime every 3-4 years.
Important! If in the previous year, on the place where you were going to plant tomatoes, physalis, tomato, eggplant or pepper grew, then you cannot plant them in this place.
Well, if before growing tomatoes in a dedicated area grew zucchini, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, carrots, pumpkins, potatoes.
To the soil on the basis of garden soil you need to add humus or peat, as well as some superphosphate and wood ash. In order to surely get rid of pests and dangerous bacteria, the earth can be ignited or cooled before mixing.
In order for the Black Prince tomatoes to develop without problems, we will describe the most popular substrates for them:
- 7 pieces of peat;
- 1 part sawdust;
- 1 part turf land.
- 3 pieces of peat;
- 1 part of the humus;
- 0.5 parts of sawdust;
- 0.5 parts of mullein.
- ammonium nitrate - 1.5 kg;
- superphosphate - 4 kg;
- potassium sulfate - 1 g;
- borax - 3 g;
- zinc sulfate - 1 g;
- copper sulphate - 2 g;
- potassium permanganate - 1 g.
How to sow the seeds of the "Black Prince"
Like others, the Black Prince variety of tomatoes is grown using seedlings. Sowing seeds depends on the time of planting seedlings, so plan all the time in advance. It can take from 45 to 80 days before the seedlings are ready for planting.
Usually, the ready seedlings are 35 cm tall bush. It is important not to grow the seedlings too large, otherwise it will not take root well and will constantly hurt. The prepared seeds are buried in the soil at a depth of about 1-2 cm.
Did you know? To maximize tomato germination, the seeds need to provide the optimum temperature, which is +15 ° C.
Growing tomato: how to care for seedlings
Before picking, seedlings of the “Black Prince” are best kept at a temperature of 20-25 ° С on sunny days and 18-20 ° С - on cloudy days.
After picking, the optimum temperature will be 25-27 ° C during the day, and 14-17 ° C at night. In cloudy weather, the temperature may drop to a level of 20-22 ° C. After a week, you need to set the temperature at 20-25 ° C during the day (18-20 ° C in cloudy weather) and 8-10 ° C at night, on an ongoing basis.
Did you know? A pick (or dive) means the moment when the seedlings are transplanted from the general tank into individual ones for further growth.To simplify the seedlings discharge seed coat, you can hold a series of irrigation with warm water. Shoots begin to dive when they have 1-2 true leaves. This should happen when the seedling age is 18-20 days.
After that, it is necessary to begin to harden the seedlings, about 12-14 days before disembarking. Watering at this time you need to reduce and gradually accustom the seedlings to the sun's rays. At the same time, the seedlings can be fed with potash fertilizers. It stimulates root growth and provides greater yield later on.
When and how to plant seedlings in the ground
The right time when it is time to plant the seedlings of tomatoes in open ground may vary depending on weather conditions, but this is usually done in the middle of June. The seedling is buried a few centimeters when planted, approximately to the cotyledon leaves, sloping towards the south.
Important! One of the main mistakes of the gardener when growing seedlings - the crops are too thick and are planted too early. For disembarkation it is best to use seedlings that are 30-35 days old.
Proper care of the variety
Agricultural cultivation of tomatoes is not difficult, but you should perform exactly all the steps in order to achieve good results and get a tasty and healthy harvest.
Garter tomato
Tall, especially large-fruited, tomatoes need a garter without fail, otherwise the fruits under their own weight will be inclined to the ground, and over time they may break off the whole brush.
In addition to the obvious harm from these actions, the fruits, which will lie on the ground or be close to it, are much more susceptible to attack by pests. Fruits on tied up plants develop much better, because they get more sunlight and better ventilated.
The most popular ways of garter tomatoes: 
- wire mesh;
- vertical trellis;
- horizontal trellis;
- pegs.
Rules for feeding and watering
Do not allow the land to dry out around the root system of tomato, so watering should be timely and regular. The time when it is best to produce it is in cloudy weather or in the morning.
Tall tomatoes, which include "Black Prince", have a large leaf surface and massive fruits, so it needs more water than the varieties we are used to.
Top dressing Tomato bushes "Black Prince" is also very important. Root and foliar feeding should be alternated after 2 weeks. The most suitable fertilizer products:
- Ideal;
- Humate + 7;
- Gumat-80;
- Humate universal;
- Emerald;
- Fertika-wagon.
Tomato "Black Prince": when to harvest
If you are done correctly, and during the growth of tomatoes there were no climatic surprises (strong droughts, hail, strong gusty winds), then the first fruits may appear after 3 months, approximately in the beginning of July. After that, the collection is carried out every 4-5 days as the fruit ripens.
As you can see, growing a Black Prince variety tomato is easy and the result is worth it. The fruits of these tomatoes are sure to please your family. If you like black tomatoes, the Black Prince is the best variety for you.
