About

An indeterminate tomato producing early crops of medium-sized, plum-shaped, red fruit.

About the genus

Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Fruit Edible
HabitBushy, Climbing
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPatio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationStart from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed, and provide support for the plant to grow up. Water regularly to keep the growing media evenly moist; inconsistent watering can lead to splitting and rot. Feed every 10-14 days. See tomato cultivation for more detail. For help with diagnosing tomato problems see our video What's gone wrong with my tomatoes?
PruningRemove all side shoots as they appear. Pinch the growing tip when the plant has formed seven trusses under cover or four trusses outdoors
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and tomato moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), potato blight, tomato blight, tomato leaf mould, tomato viruses, magnesium deficiency and blossom end rot. See Tomatoes: leaf problems