My Pink Honey. Grew outdoors in open ground. Height 1.2m (4 ft).
Edited January 25, 2015 by Galina P.
I have been growing Pink Honey from SibSad for a long time, from different packets and different batches. And everywhere it is an Indeterminate, tall, in the greenhouse it approaches 2 meters (6.5 ft).
I want to ask a question: then is it NOT Pink Honey? Because on the seed packet they write that it is short-growing (determinate). Has anyone ever encountered a short Pink Honey?
Pani Tomat said:
…Has anyone ever encountered a short Pink Honey?
Irina, about 10 years ago I grew Pink Honey from SibSad outdoors. It was no taller than 60-70 cm (2-2.3 ft). The creators (Dederko) registered it as determinate, “weak-growing”. Maybe they meant that the bush itself is weak, thin, delicate (wispy). It has taken up permanent residence in my greenhouse, where grown to 3-4 stems, it reaches a height of about a meter (3.3 ft).
I want to add that my Pink Honey does not behave like an indeterminate — it doesn’t strive upwards and self-limits its growth, although you wouldn’t call it short either. So the characteristics fully match those stated on the SibSad packet. 👍👍👍
Tatyana Kemerovo said:
…self-limits its growth, although you wouldn’t call it short either…
After which truss does it “self-limit”? And at what height does it “self-limit”? If you have a photo where it “self-limits” — please show it, and explain what “self-limits” means? Does it mean it tops out (terminal truss)?
Tatyana Kemerovo said:
…So the characteristics fully match those stated on the SibSad packet. 👍👍👍
Tanya, where did you grow it? Mine was also tall in the greenhouse, and yield was a 4 out of 5. I decided to test it outdoors. SibSad doesn’t specify on the packet where to grow it.
Pani Tomat said:
…explain what “self-limits” means? Does it mean it tops out?
Irina, I wouldn’t say it “tops out” (terminates completely) — the main stem just becomes very thin, grows slowly, the leaves are small… For me, it never reaches the top trellis wire, despite the fact that determinate varieties growing next to it push straight up. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo.
Tatyana Kemerovo said:
…the main stem just becomes very thin, grows slowly, the leaves are small…
And if you “feed” it at that moment, maybe it just lacks nutrition? After all, 3-4 stems is a lot of weight for the plant to pull. I also want to try planting it this year, but I’m debating whether to put it outdoors or in the greenhouse.
Tatyana Kemerovo said:
…the main stem just becomes very thin, grows slowly, the leaves are small…
I’m just pointing this out because Pink Honey is just another twin of SibSad’s “hearts” (Batyanya, Alsu, Sensei, Fidelio, Eagle’s Heart, etc.). In its description, it says DETERMINATE, fruits up to 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). If anyone actually has a DETERMINATE version of this, I’m ready to buy the seeds and I’m standing in line. 😆😆😆
Lyubov. said:
Tanya, where did you grow it?…
Lyubasha, I already wrote that I had an experience growing it outdoors many years ago. I didn’t like it — the bush was not tall, it was wispy, the fruits didn’t ripen, probably because the summer was cold. Since then it has permanently moved to the greenhouse. I’ve been growing it for many years; it’s not short, but it’s not a true indeterminate either, and it’s truly “weak-growing” in the sense that I described above. That’s how it is for me, maybe it’s different for you. 🌹
Tatyana Kemerovo said:
Lyubasha, I already wrote that I had an experience growing it outdoors many years ago…
Oh sorry 🌹, I missed that somewhere.
elena1984 said:
…I also want to try planting it this year, but I’m debating whether to put it outdoors or in the greenhouse.
Elena, it grew for me both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors the fruits are smaller (200-500g / 7-17 oz), but sweeter. I feed them “to the slaughter” (heavily), I want to get that 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) fruit, but so far it’s just a dream 😆😆😆
Pani Tomat said:
…I feed them “to the slaughter” (heavily)…
🌹🌹🌹 And what exactly do you “feed” them?
elena1984 said:
And if you “feed” it at that moment, maybe it just lacks nutrition?
Yes, Lena, it loves to eat, just like all large-fruited varieties. In the Moscow region, it should grow quite well outdoors too. You don’t have such extreme day/night temperature drops.
My largest fruit was 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) in 2009, when all the other flowers on the truss died from frost, so only one grew on the truss, but it was massive. Above that truss, it was the usual — fruits around 400g (14 oz). Taste-wise, it is a favorite for everyone in my family except me. (I prefer Malakhitovaya Shkatulka / Malachite Box).
I had 4 bushes of Pink Honey (SibSad) indoors. Tall, large-fruited, tasty, indeed twins to Batyanya, but the fruits are rounder, and they were so incredibly ugly (consequently from megablooms). I still don’t know what to do about it — pluck them off, or leave them??? 😳😳😳😳
