Is Cherokee Purple a good tomato?
The ‘Purple Cherokee’ is by far one of the best heirloom tomatoes you can grow. Sweet with no acidity. Meaty and did I say sweet. The story of Cherokee Purple tomato is typical of many heirloom seed varieties. Tomatoes, being mostly self-pollinated, can exist in a home garden for generations pretty much unchanged. All the gardener has to do is save seed each year to keep the line going.Cherokee Purple really don’t like to be overwatered. I grow about 25 varieties every year and always have to watch the water with Cherokee. Tomatoes in general don’t want to be wet all the time. They like to dry out between watering.Cherokee Purple Tomato is an indeterminate variety, which means they will continue producing throughout the warmer months. Prune bottom lateral stems to improve airflow through plants and reduce the possibility of plant diseases. Let the fruit ripen on the vine for the best flavor.Cherokee Purple tomatoes are often promoted as a fresh-eating variety and are sliced and eaten as a stand-alone snack, sometimes sprinkled with salt. The variety can also be layered into sandwiches, used in caprese, or diced into salads.
What is the Cherokee Purple tomato used for?
The Cherokee Purple tomato is most commonly available in the summer and fall. This tomato is best enjoyed fresh and is often used in BLTs and salads. It can also be used when making pizza and pasta sauces. Cherokee Purple really don’t like to be overwatered. I grow about 25 varieties every year and always have to watch the water with Cherokee. Tomatoes in general don’t want to be wet all the time. They like to dry out between watering.Cherokee Purple’ tomato: care and growing tips Like many beefsteak tomatoes, the ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato needs to be warm and dry. If there is too much rain and moisture in the air, the thin-skinned fruits will burst and rot. As such, a greenhouse is the ideal location for this tomato variety.Cherokee Purple thrives in warm temperatures and long sunlight hours. If you live in a cooler climate or have a short growing season, starting with a seedling instead of a seed gives you a head start. Indoors or out, this tomato needs warmth and sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.Cherokee Purple Tomato (Organic Heirloom 80 Days) Many heirloom tomatoes get the accolade best tasting from their fans, and the Cherokee Purple Tomato is one of them. This 19th Century Heirloom was originally grown in Tennessee by Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe.Cherokee Purple Tomato (Organic Heirloom 80 Days) Many heirloom tomatoes get the accolade best tasting from their fans, and the Cherokee Purple Tomato is one of them. This 19th Century Heirloom was originally grown in Tennessee by Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe.
How do you know when a Cherokee Purple tomato is ripe?
Round, mostly ribbed and about the size of a hand, when ripe, ‘Cherokee Purple’ fruit turn purple to red-brown, while the tops remain olive-dark green. Cherokee Purple is one of the most widely grown heirloom tomatoes. It is a larger tomato with an incredible flavor. The skin of the tomato is richly mottled with dark purples and red. The flesh mirrors the skin and is undeniably one the best tasting tomatoes on the market today.Nutritional Value Pigmented tomatoes, including Cherokee Purple, are notably a source of lycopene, a carotenoid found in the flesh and skin with antioxidant properties to reduce inflammation and protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals.With enough space, sunlight, and support, you’ll be rewarded with fruit that not only stands out on the plate but also has a history and taste that few tomatoes can match. While it’s traditionally grown in open garden beds, Cherokee Purple can thrive in a container with a little planning and attention to detail.Red tomatoes provide a natural sweetness that complements the strong spices used in Indian cooking. They break down easily, creating a thick, flavourful base for curries and sauces. Also, red tomatoes are high in antioxidants, especially lycopene, which is beneficial for heart health and has cancer-fighting properties.
What are common problems with Cherokee Purple tomatoes?
Verticillium Wilt. Verticillium Wilt is a common fungal disease of tomato and squash family crops. It prefers warm (not hot) and wet conditions. The fungus enters the plant through natural openings and wounds in the roots and grows up into the stem, where it blocks the supply of nutrients and water to the leaves. Early Blight. Early Blight is the most common tomato disease in more humid areas. It is a form of Alternaria Blight that first manifests itself as irregular shaped dark brown concentric spots on the shaded lower leaves.
How many days to maturity for Cherokee Purple tomatoes?
Typically, these tomatoes reach maturity in about 75 to 80 days and feature an indeterminate growth habit, meaning they continue to produce fruit throughout the growing season. The plants are vigorous and require staking or caging to support their sprawling vines and the weight of the heavy fruit. During the fruit development stage, tomato plants require a balanced supply of nutrients to support healthy fruit growth and prevent nutrient deficiencies. Continue using a balanced fertilizer or switch to a slightly higher potassium content formulation, such as a 10-10-20 or 5-10-20 formulation.Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don’t over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don’t over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so it is best to fertilize regularly with fish emulsion or seaweed extract. You can do this once a month or every other week at half strength. A smaller pot will require even more frequent watering and feeding. Be sure to provide access to full sun, as tomatoes are a heat-loving plant.
Is Cherokee Purple a hybrid tomato?
This cross between two beloved heirlooms produces gorgeous purple beefsteak tomatoes with a wonderfully complex flavor. A variety of Heirloom Marriage Tomatoes, our award-winning Cherokee Purple Tomato Hybrid offers an outstanding heirloom flavor. Cherokee Purple tomato is an indeterminate vine that produces “Beefsteak”-size fruit in the early part of the season. The fruit, described by one grower as the color of a “deep leg bruise,” are often ill-shaped with three to five large lobes around the circumference.They’re very sweet and have a rich, almost smoky flavor. The fruit is large and refreshingly acidic, thick-skinned with an earthy, lingering flavor. Cherokee Purple Tomato is an indeterminate variety, which means they will continue producing throughout the warmer months.Canned tomatoes are convenient, inexpensive and useful, especially when tomatoes aren’t in season over winter. Nutrition-wise, canned tomatoes are similar to fresh tomatoes, and have the advantage of being higher in lycopene, an antioxidant which is in cooked tomato products.Are Cherokee Purple tomatoes good for canning? While primarily grown for fresh eating, their meaty texture and flavor make them suitable for canning and sauces as well, though their dark color may alter the appearance of canned goods.