Solanum lycopersicum ( Black Cherry Tomato ) is an open pollinated, modern heirloom variety of tomato that originated in Florida, US. It has not been around for as long as many other heirloom varieties but has certainly become popular in its short time. With its unique rich, sweet & slightly smokey flavour, colour, heavy yield, and long season harvest time it has become a backyard favourite.
Suitable for all climates.
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Growth
The Black Cherry Tomato plant is a medium growing plant that will reach up to approximately 1.5m (5 feet) high and 1.2m (4 feet) in width. This variety is indeterminate & climbing one, it is important to provide some lattice, stakes or other form of support and train/tie the plant as it grows. Growing the plant this way will improve air circulation and sunlight, and therefore improve your fruit quality and yield. 1 plant can produce approximately 7-8kg of fruit.
Like other black tomatoes the fruit gets darker in colour with maturity, and it seems the more sun the plant gets the darker the skin, which is not jet black but more of a dark brown-black-purplish colour. The Black Cherry Tomato is indeterminate, which means it will continue to grow its branches/vines throughout the growing season and produce fruit.
The fruit itself is a little larger than some smaller cherry tomato varieties, averaging around 2.5cm (1 inch) in diameter.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Solanaceae
CLIMATE:
All climates
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 35°C / 50 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well drained, compost rich, loamy, or sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun. Will tolerate some afternoon shade but full sun for at least 8 hours a day preferred,
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.5 metres (5 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.2 metres (4 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.7
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual, indeterminate, climber.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium.
POLLINATION:
Self-pollinating. Bees and insects can help.
MATURITY:
90-120 days.
GERMINATION RATES:
84-92%
GERMINATION TIME:
9-14 days in ideal temperatures.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy in the right climate.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 400
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM (Black Cherry Tomato)
Black Cherry Tomatoes were bred by a man called Vince Sapp, who worked for a company called Tomato Growers Supply, which is based in Fort Myers, Florida, US. This breed was not open to the market until 2003 but because of the natural open pollinating breeding methods that were used; some call it a ‘modern heirloom’.
Black Tomatoes have a recessive gene that causes the retention of chlorophyll and leads to their darker colour.
Black Tomatoes are higher in anthocyanin content/antioxidant properties than red tomatoes.
The foliage of tomato plants can be toxic to humans and some pets.
Tomatoes are full of nutritional goodness like Vitamin C, K1, Potassium, Folate & Beta Carotene. For more information about tomatoes and your health, click here.
