SPERLI Wildtomate Red Currant

A true wild tomato: Red Currant grows 200–300 cm tall and bears tiny red fruits of just 5–10 g – like currants on the truss.

The story

Origins & history

Solanum pimpinellifolium grows wild in the coastal regions of Peru and Ecuador. It is regarded as the closest wild relative and ancestral form of our garden tomato – over thousands of years people selected the large cultivated tomatoes from plants like this. Its species name means “with leaves like burnet”.

Uses

The small fruits are a snacking treat for children and adults and a pretty garnish on the plate. The plant grows lush and sprawling, so it needs plenty of space in the bed and a support. Only the ripe fruits are for eating.

Meaning

For plant breeders the wild tomato remains a valuable source: traits from it have been crossed into cultivated tomatoes again and again. Its English name, Red Currant, describes the tiny fruits.

A thought for giving

Every large garden tomato still carries this small wild one within it. Those who know their roots know what they have grown from.

At a glance

• Contents: 1 packet for approx. 8 plants
• Botanical name: Solanum pimpinellifolium
• Life cycle: annual
• Height: 200–300 cm
• Position: sunny, partial shade
• Sow indoors: February–April
• Harvest: July–October
• Sowing depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Germination temperature: 20–25 °C
• Germination time: 7–14 days
• Plant spacing: 100 cm
• Row spacing: 100 cm
• Seed type: loose seed

How to sow

1. Start indoors from February to April, in seed compost in the Anzuchthaus PRO24 propagator.
2. Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep; at 20–25 °C they germinate in 7–14 days.
3. From mid-May, plant out in the bed in sun to partial shade, with generous spacing of 100 × 100 cm.
4. Work in peat-free Gemüseerde (vegetable compost), give a sturdy support and feed with Tomaten-Dünger (tomato fertiliser).

Delivery time: 1–2 weeks. Manufacturer: SPERLI GmbH. Seeds, not a plant – the image shows the original packet.

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