Indeterminate Tomato 'Black Cherry' (Solanum lycopersicum) - A new variety that yields exceptionally large crops of mahogany, chocolate color, cherry sized fruits delivering huge yields of unusual chocolate brownish cherry sized fruits that have excellent, sweet, rich flavor with a slightly smoky touch finish over its fruity sweetness. Very Juicy! A great snacking or salad tomato to mix with your other colored tomatoes. Fruits are 1cm wide, round, open-pollinated. Highly resistant to splitting. Indeterminate, matures in 75 days after seedlings emerge. Requires stacking support. Suitable for indoor and outdoor growing.
Companion plants: basils, marigolds, borage, nasturtiums, peppers, sage, lettuce, thyme.
Growing:
Use moist paper towel method to speed up the germination (optional).
Sow: Depth: 3–5 mm (barely cover). Germination: 5–8 days. Transplant: At 10–15 cm (2 true leaves) to final pot. Pot: 20–25 L (30 cm Ø) with drainage holes.
Soil: Mix: 50% potting soil + 30% compost + 20% perlite/coconut coir. pH 6.0–6.8.
Light: 6-8 hrs direct sun. Keep the pot or plant in a bright, sunny location.
Watering: Regular to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Water when soil is dry to the touch.
Fertilizing: No fertilizer until first flower buds appear (around week 7–8). Liquid 5-10-10 weekly (quarter-strength). Calcium boost: Crush eggshells into topsoil monthly.
Polination (Critical in High Humidity):
1. Shake plants gently every morning 9–11 am (mimics wind).
2. Use an electric toothbrush or small fan pointed at flowers for 10 seconds.
3. Spray flowers lightly with water in the morning (helps pollen stick).
Common Problems & Solutions in tropical climate:
1. Blossom-end rot → calcium deficiency + uneven watering → keep soil evenly moist + weekly calcium foliar spray.
2. Fungal diseases (early blight, powdery mildew) → improve airflow, prune lower leaves, neem oil spray weekly as preventive.
3. Fruit cracking → sudden heavy rain after dry spell → mulch heavily + shelter during storms.
4. Whiteflies & aphids → yellow sticky traps + neem oil + dish soap spray.
5. Caterpillars (tomato hornworm) → hand-pick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray.
The TSM Guarantee: It's our promise to ensure that all our products are strictly Non-GMO, and free from any possible harmful chemical compounds. All come from trusted and carefully selected small non commercial farmers worldwide providing fresh, safe supply. Specially sourced for Singapore.
