Description
Lycopersicon – Tomato –
matures in 76 days
space 36″ inches apart
grows 4-6′ feet tall
There are 7 species of tropical annuals or short lived perennials in this genus. They occur in temperate climates as warm season, frost tender annuals native to Central America. Tomatoes are determinate (smaller fruit, bushy type, and with one fruiting event) or indeterminate (larger fruit, generally needs support and continues to grow and produce fruit).
L. lycopersicum – L. esculentum – Grows 6′ feet tall with support. It produces leaves that are compound, dark green, deeply toothed, on sturdy, slightly sticky stalks. It bears fragrant flowers which are simple, pale to medium yellow, followed by fruit of various sizes and colors. Small grape or cherry tomatoes, to ½” long and wide, are sweet, large beefsteak varieties can be 6″ in diameter.
Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun. Requires long, warm growing season. Needs staking.
Prone to cutworms and early blight.
Zones 11-15
