Description
| Seeds | 25 seeds $1.99, 100 seeds $4.75 |
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Punta Banda (L.esculentum: Wild Red Cherry Tomato)
Heritage: Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja, California, Mexico
This interesting variety came from gathering some of the local seeds along the Peninsula in the late 1990’s.
Plants are semi-vining producing 100’s of 1” (2.5cm) perfectly round fruit. Relatively thick skin is deep red, with nice firm flesh. Flavour is nice and mild. Used as a saucing tomato among the Baja locals, our plants never produce fruit we feel are large enough for sauce. In warmer climates the fruit are almost solid flesh, with very little juice. Prolific producer in most climates, and well-adapted to good production under very hot, dry conditions, and poor soil. Produces best with less water than other tomato varieties. Semi-determinate. Matures in 60-70 days. (310 seeds/g)
Semi-determinate plants grow a size midway between the determinate and indeterminate varieties, producing some fruit throughout the season, with more of their crop finishing at the end. These varieties are hard to classify due to their inconsistent growth habits, and behaviour when it comes to fruit bearing.
Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are heat loving plants that can adapt themselves to almost any growing zone providing there is ample sunshine and the season is long enough to allow the fruits to fully mature. Start seeds indoors in small pots 6 weeks before last frost date by planting them just below the surface of the soil. As the weather warms, harden-off the plants by setting them outside in the sun for a few hours each day. When the ground has fully warmed and the season has stabilized transplant to a sunny area of the garden. Remove all yellow leaves and any buds or flowers that have formed. This allows the plant to concentrate on developing a good deep root system in its new home. Plant deep burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. Plants should be at least 12-18” (30-45cm) apart to allow for ample circulation and room to grow. Most tomatoes do best when support is provided either by using poles, cages or trellising. The most suitable companion plants for tomatoes are; asparagus, chives, onions, parsley, marigolds and carrots. Do not plant near potatoes, corn, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Tomatoes usually germinate within 5-7days (75-95ºF/24-35ºC).
