Cocktail Tomato Lemon Grape [Solanum lycopersicum]

The perennial cocktail tomato 'Lemon Grape' is a robust, medium-early and high-yielding stake tomato. A special feature with numerous flat, round, grooved and small lemon-yellow tomatoes that smell and taste of lemons. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvesting the fruit.

 Description 
The 'Lemon Grape' cocktail tomato is a perennial, medium-early, lemon-scented stake tomato variety. The vigorous and robust plants grow with widely spread fruit clusters in which numerous flat, round, grooved and small fruits are formed. The taste of the lemon-yellow tomatoes is pleasantly sweet and sour and lemony, even the flowers smell wonderfully of lemons. An extraordinary taste experience that can also be enjoyed in cooler autumn temperatures.

 General information 
Plant family: Solanaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 110 days
Plant height approx.: 250 cm
Root type: Deep and shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 22-28 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 50x70 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 8-9 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Basil, Nasturtium, Garlic, Onion, Cabbage, New Zealand Spinach, Parsley, Celery, Radish, Marigold, Lettuce
Unfavorable mixed culture: Pepper, Eggplant, Physalis, Potato

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation from January to April is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be located in a place protected from rain, warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
The best time to germinate tomatoes is the first warm summer week in spring. After the seeds have germinated in warm temperatures, the seedlings need cooler temperatures. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible tomato leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are ready to be planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
The cocktail tomato 'Lemon Grape' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Cocktail tomato plants are generally cultivated with 2 or 3 shoots. A framework for tying the tomato shoots with tomato hooks is recommended. In order to stimulate root growth and thus plant growth, the seedlings are planted deeper in the soil when pricked out, up to the leaf axis of the cotyledons. Sufficient and even watering has a positive effect on fruit quality. At temperatures below 5°C the plant reduces its growth. Regular harvesting increases yield. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds and cuttings.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich and constantly moist soil is fundamentally important for growth and quality fruit formation. Depending on the condition of the soil, fertilization is recommended after 10 weeks.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Solanum lycopersicum
English names: Cherry tomato, Cocktail tomato
German names: Cocktailtomate
Portuguese names: Tomate cereja
Spanish names: Tomate cereza
French names: Tomate cerise

 Origin 
Country: Portugal