Native (Thai) Tomato (small) 5508MTC

Variety Characteristics

Productive, small sized red round fruit, easy to grow, good taste for using in cooking.  Not good for eating as a fresh fruit.

 

Soil and Climate

Prefers sandy loam soil with good drainage,  easy to care for, likes sun, best grown in winter.

 

Planting Suggestions

Grow seedlings in potting trays.  Once seedlings are 1 month, transplant to the field.  Plant one seedling per hole in rows.  20-25 days after transplanting, prepare a trellis to allow the plants to climb and keep fruit off the ground.  Allow 50 x 60 cms between rows.

 

Care

Fertilize 2 times, 1st at 40 days and again at 60 days.  Use compost or aged manure. (observe the crop to see if enough fertility if not may fertilize again) When watering, should water evenly in the right amount, not leaving them dry or over watering (observe the planting soil).

 

Pests and Diseases

No diseases observed, and no problems with incests biting fruit either.

 

Harvesting

From 115- 120  days can start harvesting

 

Seed Saving

Once the plants are about 100- 110 days the plant will begin to have ripe fruits. Harvest ripe red fruit and let the further ripen another 3-5 days in the shade. Remove the seed pulp by squeezing the fruit (no need to cut) and let this sit another 1-2 days and then clean the seed (rinsing) to remove all of the gel  (If not all of the gel is removed the seed may easily become mouldy.)   Seeds that fall to the bottom of the container they are rinsed in are good seeds.  Pour the seeds on a screen and then wash them again.  Then put them in the shade to dry off a bit before sundrying the seeds another 2-3 days.  Put the seeds back in the shade to cool off.   They may then gradually be packed in paper bags.  Bags should be marked with the name of the variety, day, month, and year of harvest.  Fold this paper bag and put into a plastic bag.  Keep in the refrigerator for better longterm germination and minimal seed respiration.  If so stored, can keep for over 2 years.