The striped beefsteak tomato ˈChocolate Stripesˈ not only impresses with its appearance, but also with its delicious taste. Find out everything about the Chocolate Stripes Tomato here.
Striped beefsteak tomatoes such as the Chocolate Stripesˈ are rarely found and add color to every bed and plate. In this portrait we present the variety of tomatoes ˈChocolate Stripesˈ and give tips for successful rearing and a rich harvest of the beefsteak tomato.
"Contents"
- Cholocate Stripes Tomato: Wanted poster
- History and origin of the beefsteak tomato
- Properties and taste of the tomato Chocolate Stripesˈ
- Special features of cultivation and care
- Harvest and use ‘Chocolate Stripes’
Cholocate Stripes Tomato: Wanted poster
| fruit | Beefsteak tomato; dark red with green-brown stripes |
| taste | sweet, aromatic, light acidity |
| Ripening time | medium late |
| growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | Greenhouse, polytunnels, protected open space, tubs |
History and origin of the beefsteak tomato
The tomato variety ‘Chocolate Stripesˈ was bred and created by the American John Siegel from Ohio in the early 2000s by crossing Shimmeig Cregˈ with a pink one Beef steak tomato. Between 2006 and 2007, the new variety came through Al Anderson to the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), an association for the distribution and maintenance of non-seed varieties. In the same and following year, ˈChocolate Stripesˈ promptly won the award for one of the three best tasting varieties at the Carmel TomatoFest event. In Europe, the American variety is slowly but surely gaining ground and enjoying growing popularity.
Properties and taste of the tomato Chocolate Stripesˈ
ˈChocolate Stripesˈ grows as a sturdy stake tomato up to a height of 200 cm. In summer, after pollination, 7 to 10 cm wide, flat-round beefsteak tomatoes with slight ribs form. The variety ripens in mid-late August and can be harvested continuously until the end of October. When ripe, the fruit takes on a dark red color with green-dark brown stripes and weighs an average of 200 grams.
The taste of the chocolate stripes tomato is sweet and aromatic with a slight acidity. All around, the beefsteak tomato offers a good balance of sweetness and acidity as well as a spicy, earthy aroma, which is ideal for many darker tomato varieties, such as the "Black Plum", is typical. The ˈChocolate Stripesˈ is a seed-proof tomato variety: It can therefore be propagated again from its own seeds. Detailed instructions for the Extraction of tomato seeds and their storage can be found in our special article.
Special features of cultivation and care
The Chocolate Stripesˈ is ideal for growing in a warm greenhouse or polytunnel. If the variety is to be cultivated outdoors, rain protection and a warm location are required. The variety does not ripen reliably in places that are too unprotected and cool down quickly in autumn - the yield is thus reduced. The Chocolate Stripesˈ can be brewed in a large bucket on the warm balcony or terrace. Young plants can be planted in the greenhouse from the beginning of May and outside and on the balcony from mid-May after the last frosts of the Ice Saints.
To do this, first dig a deep planting hole or fill a pot with a capacity of at least 10 to 15 liters to about a third with nutrient-rich potting soil like ours Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil. In contrast to many other potting soils, it works completely without peat and stores the water available for plants through the high compost content. Put the young tomato plants in so that only the upper part of the plant is visible. In the coming days, new roots will quickly form underground along the shoot, which can supply the tomato plant with water and nutrients. Remove all deeply seated leaves that would otherwise disappear under the surface and fill the planting hole or the tub with substrate. Lightly press the soil all around and then water vigorously. In addition, the Chocolate Stripesˈ should be well supported and tied with a stick.
As a beefsteak tomato, the ˈChocolate Stripesˈ bears large, heavy fruits and should therefore be stripped thoroughly and regularly. In addition to the main shoot, a deep-seated side shoot can be left on beef tomatoes. If this is also well stiffened and tied, the Chocolate Stripesˈ will also bear its tasty fruit on this shoot. All higher axillary shoots must be removed regularly so that they do not rob the plant of too much energy for fruiting. Otherwise, flowers and fruits would also develop quickly on these thinner side shoots, but what about? slows down the development of all fruits on the plant and thus to small, late-ripening fruits leads. Therefore, remove these too weak shoots as soon as possible after their formation.
Tomato plants have a high need for nutrients, they belong to the so-called heavy eaters. A fertilization from June with an organic liquid fertilizer like ours Plantura organic tomato & vegetable fertilizer, brings the necessary supply of nitrogen, potassium and Co. About once a week add 15 to 25 ml to 5 liters of irrigation water and fertilize in this way while watering the plants. The nutrients get directly to the roots and can therefore quickly provide relief even in the case of acute deficiency symptoms.
Harvest and use ‘Chocolate Stripes’
The first fruits of the Chocolate Stripesˈ are ripe from August. They give in slightly at the touch of a finger and show that the aromatic pulp inside is already enjoyable. As a firm tomato, ˈChocolate Stripesˈ is ideal for eating fresh with a snack or in Salad, however, can also be processed well and its good taste is shown to advantage in soups or sauces bring.
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