The tomato variety ‘Rotkäppchen‘ is particularly suitable for growing as a potted tomato because of its compact growth. In this article you will find all the information about the specifics of growing, caring for and harvesting this tomato variety.
The small red salad tomato with the pretty name and its deep red, round fruits is one of the few varieties grown in Germany. We introduce the bush tomato and explain how best to cultivate it.
contents
- Little Red Riding Hood tomato: wanted poster
- Origin and history of the tomato
- Taste and properties of the tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘
- Growing Little Red Riding Hood: This is how it works
- Care of the tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘
- Little Red Riding Hood tomatoes: harvest and use
Little Red Riding Hood tomato: wanted poster
| fruit | Salad tomato; deep red |
| taste | fruity, sweet and sour |
| Ripening time | early |
| growth | Bush tomato, up to 80 cm |
| Location | pot |
| Specialty | determined variety |
Origin and history of the tomato
The tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ was first mentioned in 1920 in the gardening magazine "Gartenwelt". Your breeder was probably the gardener Georg Bornemann from Blankenburg. A few years later it found its way into the variety catalog of the Quedlinburg company Dippe and was also sold under the name ‘Heinemanns Rotkäppchen‘ by the company F. C. Heinemann based in Erfurt.
Taste and properties of the tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘
The ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ variety is one of the bush tomatoes, because the plants reach a height of just 80 centimeters. Up to ten round fruits hang on panicles and can weigh up to 70 grams. The early variety ripens from the end of July and the deep red, medium-sized fruits become soft. Tomatoes of the ‘Rotkäppchen‘ variety taste fruity with a balanced acid-sweet ratio. As an old variety, it is also seed-proof, which means that it can be propagated again from its own seeds. Propagate even tomato seeds is by the way an excellent way to preserve varieties and save yourself the cost of new seeds every year.
Growing Little Red Riding Hood: This is how it works
As a slow-growing plant, ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ is particularly suitable for growing in pots and as a Balcony tomato. The planter for the old German variety should contain at least ten liters. From mid-May, after the ice saints, you can put the young plants of the ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ variety outside in a tub. Fill the pot with a special substrate, like ours Plantura organic tomato soil, and place the bush tomato in it. With the contained compost and thus the nutrient supply, the root growth of the young plants is stimulated. After planting, the soil should be lightly pressed and watered well.
Our tip: As a matter of principle, bush tomatoes are not planted deeper than they were in the potty. Due to the compact growth, the plant supports itself and it is allowed to keep all of its leaves for photosynthesis.
Care of the tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘
The bush tomato ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ is robust and hardly susceptible to diseases, at the same time it is very easy to care for. It does not have to be exhausted, but should definitely be allowed to keep all of the side shoots. Because on these extremely short stinging shoots, new flowers and thus new fruits quickly emerge. The small plants often do not need a stick either, because the Little Red Riding Hood tomato has a noticeably thick trunk. From June onwards, the variety is happy to be fertilized. It can become incredibly rich and needs large amounts of nutrients to supply the many fruits. With our Plantura liquid tomato fertilizer fertilizing potted tomatoes and other vegetables is very easy. About once a week you mix the organic fertilizer into the irrigation water and water the plants normally.
Little Red Riding Hood tomatoes: harvest and use
The Little Red Riding Hood tomato produces good yields and takes up comparatively little space. The round, red fruits are suitable for all types of use. Whether fresh from the plant, in salads or cooked in soups, sauces or spreads - the tomato variety ‘Little Red Riding Hood‘ can be used anywhere.
Are you unsure which tomatoes should have the side shoots removed and which should not? Do you have to skim tomatoes at all? We give tips on Skinning tomatoes and go into the individual types of varieties.
