The 'Sunviva' variety is something very special: it is the first open source tomato on the market. Here you can find out what that means and how to plant Sunviva tomatoes in your own garden.
The sunny yellow 'Sunviva' is the first tomato variety that is protected by open source licensing. In this portrait you can find out exactly what this means, what makes the 'Sunviva' special and how best to cultivate the outdoor tomato.
contents
- Sunviva: profile
- What are open source tomatoes?
- Sunviva: origin and history of the open source tomato
- Taste & characteristics of the tomato variety 'Sunviva'
- Planting and caring for Sunviva tomatoes: this is important
- Harvesting and using Sunviva tomatoes
- Sunviva: This is how you propagate the open source tomato
Sunviva: profile
| fruit | Cherry tomato, sun yellow |
| the taste | fruity, aromatic, sweet |
| maturing time | early |
| growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| location | greenhouse, open ground, pot |
What are open source tomatoes?
The open source movement, roughly translated as "free access", works against the restrictive seed policies and commercialization of varieties in recent years. The reason for this was, among other things, the attempt by the company Monsanto to patent a tomato variety as its own “invention”, which has meanwhile failed. In addition, hybrid varieties and those from large breeding companies have mostly entered the variety register in recent years. Most of these varieties also have a patent and are not allowed to be propagated further or processed by breeding, subject to heavy fines. Open source opposes the granting of patents for the licensed varieties. These varieties are bred by private individuals or communities and, as a cultural asset, are expressly intended to be improved by other hobby breeders. An open source license prevents anyone from patenting the strain or its progeny. The variety is said to be passed on and given away non-commercially, just as gardeners have done for thousands of years.
Sunviva: origin and history of the open source tomato
The 'Sunviva' is the first tomato variety from the open source movement, and the second variety on the list overall. She was collaborated in a project for free range tomatoes developed in 2017 at the University of Göttingen. Since then, Culinaris has propagated the variety for hobby gardeners and shops. You can get the seeds for the 'Sunviva' online or in assorted seed shops.
Taste & characteristics of the tomato variety 'Sunviva'
The plants of the variety 'Sunviva' reach a height of up to 200 centimeters. It is one of the early-ripening varieties that ripen from mid to late July. The round, sun-yellow fruits are about the size of cherry tomatoes and weigh an average of 20 grams. The taste of the 'Sunviva' is like most yellow tomato varieties fruity, aromatic and sweet. The Sunviva tomato also has a high resistance to Tomato late blight and brown blight (Phytophthora infestans) on.
Planting and caring for Sunviva tomatoes: this is important
The 'Sunviva' was specially adapted to cultivation in unprotected outdoor areas, which is why it is best suited for the bed, even without rain protection. She also feels at home in pots with a capacity of at least 8 liters. From mid-May, the young tomato plants can be planted outside. A potting soil specially adapted to tomatoes, like ours Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, is not only suitable for balcony tomatoes, but also for use in beds. With its high compost content, it promotes microorganisms and has a positive effect on the soil structure. The tomato soil also provides the 'Sunviva' with all the necessary nutrients in the first few weeks after planting. After planting, the tall, sun-yellow tomato should be supported and tied. Don't forget to water the young plants, only watering directly on the trunk.
As a cherry tomato, 'Sunviva' can easily be grown with three or four shoots. For this you leave a few deep-seated side shoots on the plant, the rest is pinched out. This is especially true outdoors Watering and mulching tomatoes important. In summer, the soil can be protected from drying out with a layer of mulch, so that you have to water significantly less. Soil organisms such as earthworms and the like also benefit from a vegetable mulch layer that serves as food. Tomatoes like the 'Sunviva' are heavy consumers, which means they need large amounts of nutrients in order to bear plenty of fruit and stay healthy. To meet the demand, a primarily organic slow-release fertilizer like ours Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, excellently suited. This is superficially worked into the soil layer. There the granules are slowly decomposed and the nutrients they contain supply the tomato plants evenly over a long period of time.
Harvesting and using Sunviva tomatoes
Ripe Sunviva tomatoes can be enjoyed for the first time from July. The fruity cherry tomatoes are best eaten raw or cut into salads. But the all-round tomato 'Sunviva' can also be used for drying and cooking.
Sunviva: This is how you propagate the open source tomato
The 'Sunviva' is propagated in the same way as all other open-pollinated varieties. Take the most beautiful fruits of the variety, cut them in half and scoop out the seeds. After drying, keep the seeds dry and cool. You can find detailed instructions on how to obtain tomato seeds in our special article.
Criticism of so-called hybrid varieties is repeatedly raised, while others no longer want to do without the robust varieties. But what is it about the prejudices and how does it arise hybrid seed at all? Learn more in our article.