Tomate Corazón de Buey
Solanum lycopersicum
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El tomate Corazón de Buey (Solanum lycopersicum) es una variedad reliquia de origen italiano apreciada mundialmente por su forma característica de corazón invertido y su pulpa extraordinariamente carnosa con muy pocas semillas. Produce frutos grandes de 200-500 g con un sabor dulce, suave y equilibrado que lo convierte en uno de los tomates más valorados para consumo en fresco.
Calendario de plantación y cosecha
Etapas de crecimiento
De la semilla a la cosecha
Siembra
Las semillas germinan en condiciones cálidas y húmedas. Las plántulas pequeñas emergen con cotiledones lisos y se benefician de un calor de fondo constante.
💡 Consejo de cuidado
Usa una mezcla estéril para semilleros y mantenla uniformemente húmeda. La luz intensa ayuda a evitar plántulas largas y débiles.
Oxheart tomato seedlings started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date
Calendario de cuidado mensual
Qué hacer cada mes para tu Tomate Corazón de Buey
Mayo
Mes actualPrimary transplanting month for most zones. Plant deeply, burying two-thirds of the stem. Water in thoroughly with dilute liquid fertilizer. Apply 5-8 cm of organic mulch once soil has warmed, keeping mulch 10 cm away from stems. Begin a consistent watering schedule.
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Datos fascinantes sobre Tomate Corazón de Buey
Oxheart tomatoes get their name from their distinctive shape — a large, elongated heart form with a pointed blossom end that closely resembles an anatomical beef heart. Some individual fruits can weigh over 700g (1.5 lbs), rivaling beefsteak varieties in sheer size.
El tomate Corazón de Buey necesita pleno sol con al menos 8 horas de luz directa y un suelo profundamente preparado con abundante materia orgánica. Trasplante las plántulas al exterior cuando las temperaturas nocturnas superen los 12 °C, dejando una separación de 60-70 cm entre plantas para permitir una buena ventilación.
Al ser una variedad indeterminada vigorosa, requiere tutores robustos instalados desde el trasplante. El riego debe ser profundo, regular y preferiblemente por goteo para mantener la humedad uniforme y evitar el agrietamiento de los frutos. Pode los chupones laterales semanalmente y limite los racimos a 3-4 frutos para obtener tomates de mayor tamaño y calidad.
Fertilice cada dos semanas con un abono equilibrado durante el crecimiento vegetativo y cambie a una fórmula rica en potasio al inicio de la floración. Aplique un acolchado orgánico grueso alrededor de la base para mantener la humedad constante y prevenir salpicaduras de tierra que podrían transmitir enfermedades fúngicas al follaje.
Indeterminate oxheart vines need strong support — these vigorous plants can exceed 180 cm in height
The oxheart tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) traces its ancestry to the wild tomatoes of western South America, where small, berry-sized fruits grew in the Andes mountains of modern-day Peru and Ecuador. Spanish conquistadors brought tomatoes to Europe in the early 1500s, where centuries of selective breeding in Mediterranean kitchen gardens gradually produced larger, more diverse fruit shapes. The distinctive heart-shaped form that defines oxheart tomatoes emerged primarily in Italy, where gardeners in the fertile regions of Emilia-Romagna, Campania, and Liguria selected for large fruits with dense, meaty flesh ideal for sauces, salads, and eating fresh with olive oil and salt.
The Italian 'Cuore di Bue' (Bull's Heart) became the archetypal oxheart variety by the mid-1800s and remains a cornerstone of Italian heirloom tomato culture. As Italian and Eastern European immigrants spread across the globe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they carried their prized oxheart seeds with them, establishing these varieties in gardens from Argentina to Australia to North America. In Russia and Eastern Europe, oxheart tomatoes took on particular importance during the Soviet era, when household garden plots (dachas) were essential for family food security. Gardeners in these regions developed extraordinary diversity — varieties like Anna Russian, Hungarian Heart, and Kosovo — each adapted to local growing conditions and preserved through decades of careful seed saving.
Today, oxheart tomatoes are experiencing a renaissance among home gardeners and small-scale farmers who value flavor over the shipping durability prized by industrial agriculture. Their thin skin and heavy fruit make them poor candidates for long-distance transport, which is precisely why the best oxheart tomatoes are found in backyard gardens rather than supermarket shelves. Modern seed companies now offer dozens of oxheart varieties ranging from classic pink-red to golden yellow, deep purple, and even green-striped forms, all sharing the characteristic heart shape and dense, meaty, nearly seedless flesh that has made this tomato type a gardener's treasure for nearly two centuries.
Sembrar en interior 6-8 semanas antes de la última helada, en bandejas con sustrato fino a una profundidad de 5-6 mm y temperatura constante de 22-27 °C. La germinación ocurre en 7-14 días. Trasplantar a macetas individuales al desarrollar las primeras hojas verdaderas y endurecer gradualmente exponiéndolas al exterior durante períodos crecientes antes del trasplante definitivo.
Requiere un suelo profundo, fértil y bien drenado con pH entre 6,0 y 6,8, enriquecido con abundante compost y harina de hueso para aportar fósforo. Aplique un fertilizante equilibrado durante el crecimiento y cambie a uno rico en potasio durante la fructificación para mejorar el sabor y la firmeza de los frutos.
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21°C – 29°C
70°F – 84°F
Oxheart tomatoes produce best in warm conditions between 21-29°C (70-85°F). Fruit set requires nighttime temperatures between 13-24°C (55-75°F) — temperatures above 32°C (90°F) during the day or above 24°C (75°F) at night cause pollen sterility and blossom drop. Growth slows significantly below 10°C (50°F), and any frost is fatal. Unlike some smaller-fruited tomatoes, oxheart varieties are particularly sensitive to heat extremes because their large fruits require sustained pollination over multiple days.
Problemas comunes que afectan a Tomate Corazón de Buey y cómo prevenirlos y tratarlos de forma orgánica.
El agrietamiento de frutos es el problema más habitual y se produce por fluctuaciones bruscas en el aporte de agua, especialmente tras períodos secos seguidos de riego abundante. La podredumbre apical afecta con frecuencia a los frutos más grandes debido a su alta demanda de calcio durante el crecimiento rápido.
La albahaca es su compañera tradicional por excelencia, mejorando el sabor y repeliendo plagas según la cultura hortícola italiana. Las zanahorias, los tagetes y el perejil son asociaciones beneficiosas, mientras que debe evitarse plantar cerca de hinojo, coles y patatas que pueden competir o transmitir enfermedades.
- 1Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost without exception. Oxheart tomatoes need a long season to produce their large fruits — direct-sowing outdoors wastes precious weeks and results in far fewer ripe tomatoes before autumn frost arrives.
- 2Bury transplants deep — two-thirds of the stem should be underground. Tomatoes produce adventitious roots along buried stems, creating a massive root system that dramatically improves drought resistance and nutrient uptake for these heavy-feeding, large-fruited plants.
- 3Prune to 2-3 main stems for the largest individual fruits. Remove all suckers below the first flower cluster and selectively thin suckers above. Unpruned oxheart vines waste energy on excessive foliage and produce smaller, later-ripening fruits.
- 4Water deeply and consistently — 2.5-5 cm per week delivered at the base, never overhead. Inconsistent watering is the primary cause of blossom end rot and fruit cracking in large-fruited varieties like oxhearts. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are ideal.
- 5Support is critical. Oxheart fruits are heavy and the indeterminate vines grow tall. Use sturdy 180 cm stakes, heavy-gauge wire cages, or a string trellis system. Flimsy tomato cages from garden centers will collapse under the weight of a loaded oxheart plant.
- 6Mulch heavily with 5-8 cm of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings once the soil has warmed above 18°C (65°F). Mulch regulates soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil-borne disease spores from splashing onto lower leaves during rain.
- 7Feed every 2-3 weeks during fruit development with a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer (like 5-10-10 or tomato-specific blends). Excessive nitrogen produces lush foliage but delays fruiting and reduces fruit quality in oxheart varieties.
- 8Remove lower leaves up to 30 cm from the ground once plants are established. This improves air circulation, reduces humidity around the base, and prevents the most common fungal diseases (early blight, Septoria leaf spot) from gaining a foothold through soil splash.
Los frutos se cosechan cuando alcanzan un color rosado-rojo intenso y uniforme y ceden ligeramente a la presión del dedo, generalmente entre 80 y 90 días después del trasplante. Corte el pedúnculo con tijeras afiladas dejando un pequeño tallo para prolongar la conservación y evitar heridas de entrada para patógenos.
An oxheart tomato transitioning to its rich pink-red color — harvest when fully colored but still firm
Conservar a temperatura ambiente en lugar fresco y ventilado, consumiendo en un plazo de 3-5 días dado su alto contenido en jugo y piel relativamente fina. Para conservación prolongada, se pueden preparar salsas frescas para congelar, deshidratar en rodajas gruesas o elaborar conservas de tomate triturado envasado al vacío.
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Información nutricional
Por porción de 100g
18
Calorías
Beneficios para la salud
- Rich in lycopene, a powerful carotenoid antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color — cooking and processing actually increases lycopene bioavailability by breaking down cell walls
- Good source of vitamin C, providing 16% of the daily value per 100g to support immune function, iron absorption, and skin health
- Contains significant vitamin A (as beta-carotene), supporting eye health, immune function, and cell growth — 100g provides 17% of the daily value
- Provides potassium (7% DV per 100g), an essential mineral for blood pressure regulation, muscle function, and fluid balance
- Low calorie density at only 18 calories per 100g with high water content (about 95%), making tomatoes excellent for weight management
- Contains vitamin K, folate, and B vitamins that support blood clotting, DNA synthesis, and energy metabolism
💰 ¿Por qué cultivar tus propios?
A single oxheart tomato plant costing $3-5 (or pennies from saved seed) can produce 4-7 kg of premium heirloom tomatoes over a season. Comparable heirloom oxheart tomatoes sell for $6-12 per pound at farmers markets and specialty grocers — when available at all. Growing just 4 plants can yield 16-28 kg of fruit, worth $200-600 at retail prices. The true savings are even greater when you consider that the dense, meaty flesh of oxheart tomatoes reduces to premium-quality pasta sauce at roughly twice the efficiency of standard varieties — a single plant can produce 15-20 jars of sauce that would cost $5-8 each at artisan shops.
Sliced oxheart tomato — the dense, almost seedless flesh makes it ideal for fresh eating and sauces
Recetas rápidas
Recetas sencillas con Tomate Corazón de Buey frescos
Classic Oxheart Caprese Salad
10 minThe dense, meaty flesh of oxheart tomatoes makes them the ultimate caprese variety — thick slices that hold their shape and deliver intense tomato flavor. This simple preparation lets the quality of your homegrown tomatoes shine.
Slow-Roasted Oxheart Tomato Sauce
90 minOxheart tomatoes are a sauce maker's dream — their dense, nearly seedless flesh reduces into a thick, rich sauce with minimal cooking time and no need to strain out seeds or excess liquid. One batch freezes beautifully for winter pasta nights.
Stuffed Oxheart Tomatoes
45 minThe large cavity and sturdy walls of oxheart tomatoes make them perfect vessels for stuffing. Filled with herbed rice and baked until tender, these are a stunning side dish or vegetarian main course straight from the garden.
Oxheart tomatoes are prized for caprese salad — thick meaty slices that hold their shape beautifully
Calculadora de Rendimiento y Espaciado
Vea cuántas plantas de Tomate Corazón de Buey caben en su cama de jardín basándose en el espaciado recomendado de 70cm.
1
Tomate Corazón de Buey plantas en una cama de 4×4 ft
1 columnas × 1 filas a 70cm de espaciado
Variedades populares
Algunas de las variedades de tomate corazón de buey más populares para jardineros caseros, cada una con características únicas.
Cuor di Bue
La variedad italiana original con frutos en forma de corazón perfecto de 200-400 g y pulpa excepcionalmente densa y dulce. Indeterminada, madura en 80-85 días.
Anna Russian
Variedad reliquia rusa con frutos en forma de corazón alargado de color rosado intenso y sabor complejo agridulce. Muy productiva, madura en 70-80 días.
Hungarian Heart
Variedad húngara que produce enormes frutos acorazonados de hasta 500 g con pulpa roja densa y sabor intenso ideal para salsas. Madura en 85-90 días.
Oxheart Pink
Selección de frutos rosados de forma acorazonada clásica con muy pocas semillas y pulpa cremosa de sabor suave y dulce. Madura en 80-90 días.
Es el tomate por excelencia para la ensalada caprese italiana con mozzarella fresca y albahaca, gracias a sus gruesas rodajas carnosas con mínima cantidad de semillas. También es ideal en carpaccios de tomate, sándwiches gourmet, relleno al horno y para elaborar salsas frescas de textura densa y sabor concentrado.
¿Cuándo debo plantar Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Planta Tomate Corazón de Buey en Marzo, Abril, Mayo. Toma aproximadamente 85 días para madurar, con cosecha típicamente en Julio, Agosto, Septiembre.
¿Cuáles son buenas plantas acompañantes para Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Tomate Corazón de Buey crece bien junto a Albahaca, Zanahoria, Tagete. El cultivo acompañante puede mejorar el crecimiento, sabor y control natural de plagas.
¿En qué zonas de rusticidad puede crecer Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Tomate Corazón de Buey prospera en zonas de rusticidad USDA 3 a 11. Con protección de invernadero, puede cultivarse en zonas 1 a 12.
¿Cuánto sol necesita Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Tomate Corazón de Buey requiere Sol completo (6-8h+). Esto significa al menos 6-8 horas de luz solar directa diaria.
¿A qué distancia debo espaciar Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Espacia las plantas de Tomate Corazón de Buey a 70cm (28 pulgadas) para crecimiento óptimo y circulación de aire.
¿Qué plagas y enfermedades afectan a Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Los problemas comunes incluyen Mildiu, Pulgón verde, Podredumbre apical. La prevención a través de buenas prácticas de jardinería como rotación de cultivos, espaciado adecuado y cultivo acompañante es el mejor enfoque. Consulta la sección de plagas y enfermedades para más detalles.
¿Cómo almaceno Tomate Corazón de Buey después de la cosecha?
Conservar a temperatura ambiente en lugar fresco y ventilado, consumiendo en un plazo de 3-5 días dado su alto contenido en jugo y piel relativamente fina. Para conservación prolongada, se pueden preparar salsas frescas para congelar, deshidratar en rodajas gruesas o elaborar conservas de tomate tri...
¿Cuáles son las mejores variedades de Tomate Corazón de Buey para cultivar?
Las variedades populares incluyen Cuor di Bue, Anna Russian, Hungarian Heart, Oxheart Pink. Cada una tiene características únicas adaptadas a diferentes condiciones de cultivo y preferencias culinarias. Consulta la sección de variedades para descripciones detalladas.
¿Qué suelo necesita Tomate Corazón de Buey?
Requiere un suelo profundo, fértil y bien drenado con pH entre 6,0 y 6,8, enriquecido con abundante compost y harina de hueso para aportar fósforo. Aplique un fertilizante equilibrado durante el crecimiento y cambie a uno rico en potasio durante la fructificación para mejorar el sabor y la firmeza d...
Why are my oxheart tomatoes misshapen or have catfacing?
Catfacing — the deep crevices and scarring on the blossom end — is common in large-fruited varieties like oxhearts and is caused by incomplete pollination during cool temperatures below 13°C (55°F). Cold nights early in the season disrupt normal flower development. The affected fruits are perfectly safe to eat and often among the most flavorful. To minimize catfacing, delay transplanting until nighttime temperatures reliably stay above 13°C and avoid excessive pruning that exposes developing flowers to cold air.
How do I prevent blossom end rot on my oxheart tomatoes?
Blossom end rot (the black, sunken patch on the bottom of the fruit) is caused by calcium deficiency in developing fruit, almost always triggered by inconsistent watering rather than a lack of calcium in the soil. Maintain even soil moisture through deep, regular watering and heavy mulching. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which inhibits calcium uptake. Once a fruit develops blossom end rot it cannot be reversed, but subsequent fruits will be healthy once watering becomes consistent.
Can I save seeds from my oxheart tomatoes?
Yes — oxheart tomatoes are open-pollinated heirlooms, so seeds saved from your best fruits will produce true-to-type plants next season. Scoop seeds and surrounding gel into a jar with a small amount of water and let the mixture ferment at room temperature for 2-3 days. This fermentation process removes the germination-inhibiting gel coating and kills many seed-borne diseases. Rinse clean seeds thoroughly, dry on a coffee filter for a week, then store in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place. Seeds remain viable for 4-6 years.
Why are my oxheart tomato plants producing flowers but no fruit?
The most common cause is temperature stress. Tomato pollen becomes non-viable when daytime temperatures exceed 32°C (90°F) or nighttime temperatures stay above 24°C (75°F), causing blossoms to drop without setting fruit. Dry air below 40% humidity can also prevent pollen from sticking. During heat waves, shade cloth (30-40% density) can reduce temperature stress. Gently shaking flower clusters in the morning also improves pollination. Fruit set typically resumes when temperatures moderate.
How do I know when oxheart tomatoes are ripe enough to pick?
Harvest oxheart tomatoes when they have developed full color (deep pink-red for most varieties) across the entire fruit but still feel slightly firm when gently squeezed. The shoulder area near the stem is the last part to ripen. Unlike store-bought tomatoes, homegrown oxhearts have thin, delicate skin that bruises easily, so handle gently. For peak flavor, leave them on the vine as long as possible. Never refrigerate fresh tomatoes — cold temperatures destroy volatile flavor compounds irreversibly.
Are oxheart tomatoes good for canning and making sauce?
Oxheart tomatoes are among the absolute best varieties for sauce and canning. Their dense, meaty flesh has an exceptionally high solids-to-liquid ratio and very few seeds, meaning they cook down into thick sauce with minimal effort and no need to strain. One kilogram of oxheart tomatoes yields roughly twice as much finished sauce as a kilogram of standard slicing varieties. For canning, follow USDA guidelines and always add the prescribed amount of lemon juice or citric acid per jar to ensure safe acidity levels, as heirloom varieties can vary in pH.
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Vladimir Kusnezow
Jardinero y desarrollador de software
Jardinero de zona 6b. Cultivo hortalizas y frutas en tierra e hidroponía desde hace 6 años. Creé PlotMyGarden para planificar mis propios jardines.
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