Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century'
Tomato
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Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Description
Burpee discovered this outstanding heirloom in a private collection, hiding under the wrong name. It's unmistakable -amazingly short and self-supporting with heavily crinkled leaves. It bears medium-large, red beefsteak-shaped slicers. It was first introduced it in 1901, to commemorate Burpee's 25th year in business. Disease resistant plants perform well in hot summers and are great for growing in containers. This should be ready for harvest in about 85 days.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Blooming
Small yellow blooms should start appearing very soon with tomatoes. If these fail to appear or start dropping off with out forming fruit you may have an excess of nitrogen in the soil. You can flush the soil at this point to wash out some of the soluble nitrogen salts or use a fertilizer specific to tomatoes or with an emphasis on phosphorus and potassium. ie.. 2-10-10 or 0-5-2 water soluble fertilizer should work great.When in bloom if your plants are indoors (greenhouse) or if you have a lack of pollinators (Bees!) in your area you may need to hand pollinate with a small paintbrush or similar. Just dab one flower center and move to the next gently brushing its center and just keep doing this for as many flowers as you want.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Growth
In hot climates small, fragile seedlings should be given some shade to protect them from sunburn. Although tomatoes require a minimum 6 hours of full sun for a hearty fruit set, it is recommended that they receive as much sun as possible to promote better flavor (generally 8 hours).Caging or trellising is recommended for indeterminate tomatoes (these are tomatoes that continuously grow and are not bushy). This is to promote the plants to grow vertically, which promotes higher crop yields and better spacing abilities.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Planting
Sow seeds 6 weeks before the last projected frost as spring arrives. Seeds tend to germinate best when the temperatures are kept between 75°F and 85°F. Tomatoes can be transplanted as well, so sowing seeds in pots with rich potting soil that can be moved during times of frost or extreme cold to a milder location is also recommended. These pot-grown tomatoes can be transplanted into the ground outside 1 to 2 weeks after the average last frost date in your region.Plant more mature transplants so that a minimum of 2" of topsoil covers the main stem. This will promote root initiation along the main stem and will provide better support from wind.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Pest
Prone to tomato hornworms. Hornworms are green in color and have white diagonal stripes down their sides. They also will have a "horn" on their tail end. These are the larvae of a large moth that lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves. The larval stage of this insect is the one that can cause harm to the plant as they are voracious foliar feeders. They can eat enough leaf material to seriously affect the overall yield of the plants.Tomatoes are also prone to wilts and the tobacco mosaic virus. Immediately remove any infected leaves.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Interesting facts
Tomatoes used to be classified under the botanical name Lycopersicon esculentum. Research has provided evidence showing that tomatoes should be classified under the genus Solanum, which is where they now reside as Solanum lycopersicum. Tomatoes are generally thought to be synonymous with Italian cooking, however, tomatoes are not native to the Mediterranean at all. Tomatoes are native to South America and did not reach Italy until the 1550's, which causes one to wonder what Italians ate before the arrival of this South American fruit. (Yes, tomatoes are technically fruits).When Europeans were first introduced to the tomato, many thought that they were poisonous since they are in the deadly nightshade family. Unripe tomatoes have compounds in them that will cause an upset stomach. Luckily these compounds can be neutralized via a heat treatment, which is why eating fried green tomatoes will not cause any discomfort.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Quarter Century') - Soil and irrigation
Does best with soils high in organic matter. Very important to have well-drained soils, but would be best to have some level of water retention. Consistently moist soils help to prevent blossom end rot as this will provide the roots with the ability to better absorb nutrients. Mulching is a great way to promote moisture retention in the soil.
