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Does the picture above look familiar? What about the claims made about this Tomato Tree?
REALISTIC? MYTHICAL? IMPOSSIBLE? Time to find out!
What They Promise
- Immense size i.e you will need a stepladder to pick your fruit.( up to 25ft)
- Longevity-This plant will continue to grow year after year.
- Incredible yield in the region of 50 to 100 lbs ( 25/50 kg) per plant.
- Large fruit in the region of 1 to 2 lbs (500g to 1kg)
I am very sceptical- Here is the link to my first experiment. Ended in disaster!
Italian Tree-Tomato-Fact or Fiction
Second Experiment Results
Watch the video for some surprizes
Italian Tree tomato-fact or fiction?
Related Post
Summary of Experiment
Step 1 October 2013
3 types planted side by side. Giant Beefsteak-
Brandywine and Italian
Tree Tomato
Brandywine and Italian
Tree Tomato
Each plant was given identical soil and nutrients.
All went well until..............
Next Event November 2013
Brisbane Experienced a month of extreme heat and drought with maximum temperatures in the region of 38 degrees celsius (100 degrees F)
The Brandywine tomato died in the process while the Giant Beefsteak showed more resilience than the Italian Tree Tomato.
Then..............
The Drought Lifted January 2014
Temperatures returned to the slighter milder 30/32 degrees C max. ( 90 degrees F)
Finally.............
Period of Recovery January/ February 2014
My First Ever Italian Tree Tomato-Yay! It Really Exists!
A Really Fine Tomato! Just as they promised-large and Juicy......
Problem-I only have one of them!
The Giant Italian Tree Tomato-An exceptional all-round tomato.
What happened next.................
Period of Optimum Conditions March-May 2014
As I learnt the optimum temperature for this tomato is in the region of 26/28 degrees C ( 75/80 degrees F)
During this period prior to winter, the vine began to recover rapidly and quickly became difficult to control.
The height had to be stopped at 2M ( 6ft) by piching the growing tip. It began to shoot out side tendrils and numerous flowers.
Wow! This is beginning to look promising!
I have to restrict the height or I'd need a step ladder to get to the top!
Italian Tree tomato-a tangled mess of thriving vines flowers and fruit.
Sadly................
The End- May 2014
As Luck Would Have IT, an early blast of Polar air and associated frost of 4 degrees C (39F) killed the vine instantly.
The unripe fruit is instantly wiped out by hungry Possums.
THE EXPERIMENT IS OVER! R.I.P
Conclusions
The experiment showed the following:
- Such a tomato does exist.
- The vine can survive but will not fruit well in extreme heat.
- It cannot survive frost.
- Fruit is very large and sweet.
- Can reach an extraordinary height.
- It is not as resilient as Similar beefsteak varieties.
- leaves are of normal shape unlike Giant Beefsteak which has potato-like leaves.
Improvements to consider
-Prepare a deeper planting hole i.e at least 50cm deep by 50 cm wide (2ft X 2ft)
- Provide more nutrients lower down.
- Use a system that allows water to easily reach the bottom of the planting hole.
- Use stronger staking.
- Have a strategy to keep out pests.
The Giant Italian Tree Tomato-Irresistable!
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