Ox Heart Tomato Orange [Solanum lycopersicum]

The perennial oxheart tomato 'Orange' is an early and robust stake tomato variety. High-yielding plants with fruits weighing around 250g and with an incomparable fruity-sweet and aromatic taste. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvesting the fruits.

 Description 
The oxheart tomato 'Orange' is a perennial, early, very old and rare stake tomato variety that originates from Russia. The robust and first-class tasting variety is rarely propagated these days and is therefore a speciality. The high-yielding plant produces large, orange, heart-shaped fruits weighing around 250g and develops only a few seeds. The taste of the fleshy and juicy fruits is incomparably fruity-sweet and aromatic.

 General information 
Plant family: Solanaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 120 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 until semi shady
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 oxheart tomato 'Orange' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Oxheart tomato plants are generally cultivated with 1 or 2 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 promotes 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: Oxheart tomato
German names: Ochsenherztomate
Portuguese names: Tomate coração de boi
Spanish names: Tomate corazón de buey
French names: Tomate cœur de bœuf

 Origin 
Country: Portugal