Cardinal

Cardinal tomato — a medium-early indeterminate variety widely appreciated for its versatility and ease of cultivation. The plant is tall, reaching up to 2 meters in open ground and up to 2 meters in greenhouses, requiring mandatory support and plant training. The plants have a cluster-type fruiting pattern, with up to 10 large tomatoes forming on each cluster. The variety exhibits good resistance to cold, temperature fluctuations, as well as infectious and fungal diseases, including phytophthora, alternaria, verticillium wilt, and rot. The Cardinal tomato fruits are large, heart-shaped, with a firm skin and juicy flesh. Color varies from pale pink to bright maroon, with fruit weight ranging from 600 to 1000 grams. The flesh is characterized by its sugar content, aromatic quality, and practically seedless nature. The skin is strong, ensuring good transportability and resistance to cracking. The taste is classic, slightly sour-sweet, making the fruits ideal for fresh consumption as well as for culinary processing — canning, pasta making, juice, adjika, and ketchup. For successful cultivation, the variety is best grown using seedlings transplanted into open ground or greenhouses during late May to early June. Plants require regular fertilization, applied before flowering, during fruit set, during fruiting, and to stimulate the formation of new fruits. Fertilizers used include biostimulants, cow manure solutions, and mineral complexes. Cardinal grows best on plots previously occupied by legumes, cucurbits, or onions. The variety is characterized by prolonged fruiting and high yield — up to 14–15 kg per square meter, making it attractive for both farmers and home gardeners.