Canestrino

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Solanum

Species

lycopersicum

Description

An annual herbaceous plant native to Central and South America, it is now one of the best known and most widespread crops of economic importance in horticulture, both for fresh consumption and for making preserves, sauces, pizzas, fresh or frozen preparations depending on the variety.

Abundantly branched, it flowers from spring until the end of summer, displaying small flowers in raceme-like inflorescences that attract useful pollinating insects such as bees and bumblebees. It is easy to grow and moderately hardy, adapting to different soil conditions, but prefers structured soils exposed to full sun. The fruit or berry ripens in stages, with different colours and shapes in the many varieties available, and is also rich in vitamins and mineral salts.

Varietal description

Tomato selection with indeterminate plant derived from the original Tuscan ecotype. Medium-cycle plant for both open field and greenhouse cultivation. The ribbed and pyriform (inverted heart) fruit, generally wider than tall, has an average weight of 250 g but under optimal conditions often higher. The colour of the fruit is bright red with broad green shoulder. Harvesting at veraison is recommended in order to maintain a natural acidity trait mixed with the sweetness of the flesh. The destination is for fresh consumption, in particular, for those who wish to appreciate the flavour of the 'tomato of yesteryear'.

curiosity and special features

It has been hypothesised that the first varieties introduced to Europe in the first half of the 1500s contained such a high amount of solanine that they were indigestible, which is why the plant was initially used as an ornamental, medicinal and for study purposes in botanical gardens, only later varietal selections brought the tomato to full edibility.

The term tomato derives from a number of epithets, among them 'golden apple' in relation to the colouring of the fruit of the first varieties introduced to Europe.

Origin and Diffusion

The wild tomato, Solanum racemigerum, is native to western South America, arrived in Central America and was cultivated by the Mayas and later by the Aztecs in the southern regions of Mexico where, between 1519 and 1521, the Spanish leader and governor Hernán Cortés collected the seeds that arrived in Spain with settlers and missionaries, who called the new fruit 'tomate'; dictionaries date the first Spanish mention of the word tomate to around 1532. Italy was the first European country, after Spain, to become acquainted with the tomato, thanks to the close relationship between the Bourbons and the ruling families of the time as well as the Spanish dominions on Italian territory. Today, Italy is one of the main tomato exporting countries.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium-sized, clustered in a larger inflorescence.

Leaf

Leaf has a pinnate lamina covered with fine hairs.

Fruit/product

The fruit is a ribbed berry, characterised by a tender texture and ranging in size from 9 to 17 cm in diameter, 7 to 11 cm in length and 9 to 17 cm in width, weighing between 250 and 450 g. It has a uniform two-tone colouring and a smooth skin. From a sensory point of view, the fruit has a sugar content of 5 °Brix and displays a strong and delicate taste, accompanied by an intense and delicate aroma; it is lightly perfumed and offers an aromatic, sweet, full and savoury flavour. Ripening takes place from early summer to mid-autumn. It is an excellent quality fruit, belonging to a variety with good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

Depending on the conditions and type of cultivation, it flowers from early spring to late summer for a duration of 30 to 120 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster, characterised by several flowers placed singly on a central axis or rachis, at different heights and borne by short peduncles.

Leaf color

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 2 to 3 m; in some creeping varieties, the height achieved is easily managed by accompanying the development of the plant with appropriate support structures or stakes.

Lifespan

Annual-cycle plant.

Suggested planting locations

With its multiple uses and wide adaptability, this tomato variety can easily be grown as a balcony plant , open field, large pots, flower beds, outdoor tubs

Stem/stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form, with a dialipetal corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in raceme or cluster inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from early spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 30 and 120 days. It is attractive to bumblebees.

Growth

Indeterminate growth variety.

Plant habit

It develops a creeping habitus.

branching

Growth is accompanied byabundant branching.

pH

The pH, an indicator of the acidity level of the soil, is of major importance for the correct overall development of the plant, in particular slightly acidic values between 5.5 and 6.8 represent the optimal range for the tomato plant.

soil preparation

In anticipation of spring-summer transplanting, it is of great importance to prepare the soil correctly; to this end, it is advisable to carry out a deep digging operation to remove any weeds and residues of previous crops, then proceed with a thorough fertilisation and, with the help of a hoe, break up the coarsest clods. Then create a raised bed by ballasting the soil to obtain proper drainage of excess water, thus avoiding harmful water stagnation. Finally, carefully level the surface using a rake, preparing the transplanting furrows at a suitable density. During cultivation continue to remove weeds in the vicinity of the crop with a hoe so that they do not represent an obstacle to the growth of the seedling.

sun exposure

Exposures sheltered from the wind in full sun, afternoon sun are the optimal situations to achieve the best results in vegetative development and final productivity.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 10 and 30 °C. The ideal temperature is between 13 and 28 °C. The tomato plant is suitable for outdoor cultivation in the spring-summer period in areas with a mild climate, paying attention to the minimum temperature, which must not fall below 10 °C; it is recommended to transplant outdoors when there is no longer any risk of frost.

Use

Widely used as a plant in
Agribusiness

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil exposed to the sun. For best final productivity avoid excess water and temperature fluctuations.

Soil/medium

It grows in different soil types, ranging from sandy, loamy to clayey soils; however, the ideal condition is medium-textured, well-drained, fresh and loosened soil; for possible use in pots, a specific soil for horticulture containing blond and brown peat is recommended.

Maintenance

It is considered, in a mild climate with no temperature fluctuations, an easy-to-grow plant with an average general level of management effort.

cultivation tips

Here are some cultivation tips to achieve the best production results:

Avoid over-watering Put outside when there is no longer a risk of frost Require abundant regular fertilisation

Intercropping/combination

Tomatoes can be grown in intercropping with other vegetable species such as lettuce and radish.

planting

An average planting density in open field of 2 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure proper development of each individual specimen with subsequent suitable fructification and final ripening of the berries. Once the risk of frost has passed, transplant young seedlings with 4-5 true leaves and intact white roots, placing them on a raised bed of 15/20 cm with the collar outside the soil surface, ensuring that the root balls are moist and irrigating immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours. In view of the bearing that some varieties develop, it is suggested that the chosen stake be inserted about 5-10 cm from the plant immediately after transplanting to avoid damaging the roots later, and that clips, raffia, plastic, wicker or twine be used to tie the stem without tightening it too much and leaving space for it to grow.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

pruning

In order to achieve an optimal relationship between vegetative development and production, we recommend training and tillering pruning with timely removal of axillary shoots using a sharp cutting tool or by light lateral pressure, taking care not to damage the vegetative part of the plant and repeating the operation several times during the spring-summer period.

In addition, remove the vegetative apex of the main stem at least two leaves above the last bunch to encourage shading and prevent sunburn on the berries; when harvesting, remove the fruit with the stalk very gently to avoid possible damage to the plant and to improve the subsequent storability of the product.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication is by sowing in containers.

potting

For some varieties repot in spring into a larger container if the seedling does not show proper growth of both the vegetative and root part.

Irrigation

For tomatoes, it is advisable to keep the plant balanced at all times, avoiding water stress that can compromise the final yield. Use rainwater, alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by drip-wing irrigation, sub-irrigation or lateral furrow irrigation. For proper germination, it is advisable to moisten the seed before placing it in the soil and then keep the latter wet until the sprout emerges, also cover the surface with non-woven fabric or inert material. For transplanting, in order to obtain a rapid and homogeneous rooting of the seedlings with consequent suitable vegetative development, maintain a constant humidity of the soil without exceeding the doses applied and avoiding water stagnation which can lead to root rot. Subsequently, during cultivation, allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between successive waterings; during the summer period, in order to prevent water stress with subsequent apical fruit rot, it will be necessary to irrigate more frequently as the plant's water requirements are higher.

When using drip wings or similar, keep the watering points at least 10/15 cm away from the plant's collar to avoid pathogen attack.

Fertilization

In the pre-transplant soil preparation phase it is advisable to carry out a basic fertilisation by burying organo-mineral fertiliser.

During the vegetative period perform regular and balanced fertilisation using water-soluble vegetable fertiliser to be diluted in the irrigation water according to suitable doses and frequencies, as indicated on the label of the product purchased; the periods of greatest need, if the plant is cultivated in the open field, are the spring and summer seasons during which the maximum development and growth of the crop occurs.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Video

https://youtu.be/QDBeeSrxCYQ

Pet friendly

The unripe fruit, Leaf and stem may cause irritation if ingested by pets. Consider the specific case and consult with your veterinarian before any administration.

Edibility for humans

As is well known, the edible part is the fruit known as the berry, which is rich in vitamins as well as, as the botanical name of the genus to which it belongs reminds us, lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties and found in abundance in the ripe fruit of the tomato plant.

Human toxicity

Avoid ingesting unripe fruit and green parts of the plant.

advise 1

Transplant young, compact seedlings with up to 4-5 true leaves. The collar should be placed at ground level or slightly above ground, 2-5 mm, on a baulata bed and raised at least 15-20 cm. Harvest the fruit using a very sharp tool to make a clean cut. A rough or irregular cut does not facilitate wound healing and allows the entry of systemic pathogens. Position the stake in advance of the beginning of flowering of the first stage, but even better would be before transplanting. Tie the stem to the stake very early and continuously, especially in times of strong plant growth. Much attention must be paid to the use of the different complete fertilisers in relation to the development phases; with a prevalence of Phosphorus in the rooting and flowering phase, with a prevalence of Nitrogen in the vegetative development phase and with a prevalence of Potassium in the fruit formation and harvesting phase.