Cherry Tomato Varieties

[Balconygardener]

Hello!

So - I am now plotting my second season of growing tomatoes on my balcony. Last year's first attempt was broadly successful (more toms than I could eat, still picking them in October!), but there were one or two mistakes that I'm hoping to correct this year!

The first one is a question of variety - Last year's choice of Tumbling Tom were certainly prolific and tasty, but I didn't have room for them to tumble properly, plus being started on the window ledge (unavoidable, I'm afraid) meant they were leggy to start with and I ended up supporting them with so much twine it got a bit silly!

I'm planning to start them in early May (another of last year's blunders was to start a bit too early, given my lack of a greenhouse which means they need to go outside after 2nd potting on), so I still have time to get some seeds sorted out.

I definitely want cherry tomatoes as they are what I eat most of. I need something that is definitely a bush variety, is suitable for pots, and is generally beginner-tolerant (i.e. won't need any special care other than potting on and regular feeding/watering!)

Any suggestions? I thought I might branch out a bit as I have room for several pots, maybe growing a red variety and them one other - I quite fancied a stripy or black variety!

Any thoughts and ideas gratefully received.

[Flummery]

Red Alert is a bush type tom which is a sort of large cherry - what they used to call a cocktail tomato (though I'd rather have a cherry in mine thank you!) It's got a very good flavour and is good for outdoor growing. You could do much worse!

[Lauries]

Have a look in poundland and see if you can find the starter kits of 'Sweetie' cherry tomato.
I grew them last year and they were delicious.
Poundland plants I've found seem healthier and grow better than the more expensive garden centre ones.

Sweetie isn't a bush variety but i did grow mine in pots.

[Hillwalker]

I agree with Flummery, if you want a bush tomato plant Red Alert is a really good choice. I'd also strongly recommend Sungold, although it's a cordon type, tied to a 4' cane gives it a smaller footprint than a bush type. They're dead easy to grow and easily the best cherry tomato I've ever tasted. Cut the leader at 5 trusses and you'll get a good end of summer crop.

Another excellent type, especially for something different is the Black Cherry variety - very rich tasting and, if you like fried tomatoes, deliciously intense and sweet.

[Potstubsdustbins]

For me it would be tumbler in hanging baskets and sungold in pots. Lots of lovely toms.

Colin

[Balconygardener]

Ooh, that's interesting - I hadn't thought of sungold as being a cherry, I thought they were bigger than that? I've heard good things about the flavour though, so I'll give that some serious thought.

And I might just see whether I couldn't put up a hanging basket after all for some tumbling toms. That way I might be able to squeeze a couple of black cherries in too!:-)

[Balconygardener]

Ooh, I've just been reading about Sungold, and I've seen a couple of websites saying they have a height of 250cm! Is that right? Or can I pinch out the tops to stop them growing that height? My balcony is covered, so they wouldn't fit!

[Potstubsdustbins]

BG, yes in the right conditions sungold would grow that high. However you will be growing outdoor and would need to stop them of at 3-4 truss's to ensure a crop. They would make about 5` so if you can stand upright they will be alright.

Colin