Varieties and sources of supply (+ cultivation and care)

the essentials in brief

• wild tomatoes are undemanding, robust and resistant to diseases.
• Instead of growing tall, the wild tomatoes shoot out and are held in place by special climbing aids.
• In addition, wild tomatoes hardly need fertilizer and in some cases even rainwater is enough for them.
• Wild tomatoes are usually not pinched. Every shoot bears fruit.

Varieties overview

quick overview

Yellow wild tomatoes.

• Bolivian fruit tomato
• Galapagos wild tomato
• Yellow Currant
• Golden Current
• Kenyan wild tomato Tindindogo

Red wild tomatoes.

• Barbaniaka
• Currant Sweet Pea
• Humboldtii (Humboldt tomato)
• Matt's wild cherry
• Peruvian wild tomato
• Poro Poro (Man-Eater Tomato)
• Red currant/red currant
• Red Marble

Yellow wild tomatoes

Bolivian fruit tomato

The yellow miracle from Bolivia forms about 1.5 to 2 centimeters large, bursting tomatoes that taste very sweet. This is why they are particularly popular with children, who nibble on the healthy fruit straight from the bush. The rich harvest begins in July and lasts well into autumn. It even grows on sticks, but prefers fences. There the plant grows up to 250 centimeters high and spreads just as wide.

Galapagos wild tomato

This easy-care exotic comes from the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific. Breeders value her because she has high resistance to diseases. Its fruits are orange-yellow and taste sweet with a slight acid note. With a height and width of 200 centimetres, it grows very expansively. The first wild tomatoes can be picked from July. And this is relatively independent of the location: even light saline soils and excessive moisture are no obstacles for the 'Galapagos wild tomato'.

Yellow Currant

From July to September it is sufficient harvest time the 'yellow currant'. It forms very small fruits that are reminiscent of currants. Despite their size, the wild tomatoes cause a very intense, powerful firework of flavor on the tongue. About 180 centimeters long shoots, which spread out bushy, carry high-yielding panicles. A pack of Seedeo 'Yellow Currant' in organic quality contains 30 seeds that are sown in March and planted out after the ice saints. This variety is also suitable as a traffic light plant.

Golden Current

The wild tomatoes of the 'Golden Currant' provide a rather fruity aroma. Inside the fruit there are many seeds. It is also one of the smallest varieties with a growth height of about 100 centimeters. The more it grows in width. The OwnGrown brand offers both high-quality 'Golden Currant' seeds from Germany and the opportunity to ask questions about seeds and growth via email.

Kenyan wild tomato Tindindogo

Compact, robust, 'Tindindogo' - this breed originally comes from Kenya and is adapted to changeable weather. If the summer should be rainy and cold again, the slightly sweet tomato fruits will continue to sprout unhindered. Due to its low growth height of 100 centimeters and its bushy rather than creeping spread, 'Tindindogo' is suitable as a balcony plant.

Red wild tomatoes

Barbaniaka

While the bush grows in multiple shoots to a height of 180 centimetres, the bright red wild tomatoes remain about the size of a one euro coin. Up to twelve juicy fruits hang on a panicle, which can be harvested from July. You either eat them straight from the bush or garnish them with 'Barbaniaka' in summer salads and Mediterranean dishes.

Currant Sweet Pea

The tiny 'Currant Sweet Pea' variety is also very popular in salads. They taste wonderfully sweet and really tomato-y. Reason enough to plant the very productive variety in the garden. With a height of 150 centimeters and a bushy stature, they fit in the bucket and on the balcony. Tip: Dried the 'Currant Sweet Pea' as "tomato raisins" give dishes an aromatic flavor.

Humboldtii (Humboldt tomato)

Whether the 'Humboldtii' is a wild tomato or a cultivated form cannot be clearly answered to this day. Its namesake, the polymath and discoverer Alexander von Humboldt, came across the cherry-sized red fruit during his trip to America. Impressed by its taste, he sent the variety to Berlin, where it lived in the botanical garden for 150 years. Today the 'Humboldtii' is appreciated for its subtle raspberry aroma, which is unique among the tomato varieties is.

Matt's wild cherry

From mid-July the first fruits of the American emeritus Dr. Matt Liebman. The agricultural expert received wild seeds from a friend in Mexico and continued to cultivate them. The popular tomato went around the world under the name 'Matt's wild cherry'. It is one of the smallest varieties of all and has a high resistance to late blight. Therefore, it also grows easily in the outdoor, where they grow up to 200 centimeters high on the trellis.

Peruvian wild tomato

A special treat is the 'Peruvian wild tomato'. Sugar and acid only play a subordinate role here. The tomatoes with a very small fruit size taste spicy and tart. And the plant itself is a real eye-catcher with its large yellow ones blossoms, which almost make them glow. It is unsuitable for the greenhouse, as it takes up the entire area in a very short time. On the other hand, the robust ‘Peru wild tomato’ is in good hands outdoors in wind and rain.

Poro Poro (Man-Eater Tomato)

Those who dare plant the "man-eater tomato" (Solanum viride) in their garden. The plant, also known as 'poro poro', is not a tomato at all. It was discovered on the Fiji Islands and, like the tomato and potato, belongs to the nightshade family. Their spooky name comes from the cannibalistic tribes that lived on the Pacific islands. Human flesh is said to be difficult to digest, which is why the natives are said to have consumed it together with the 'poro poro'. The tart fruit must be cooked before eating.

Red currant/red currant

These mini tomatoes grow on bushes that are about 150 to 200 centimeters tall. Its lush growth rewards you with a high-yield and early harvest. They are very popular with children because they are easy to pick from the bush and eat. The redcurrant tomato from DeineGartenwelt is a seed-resistant variety, free from genetic engineering and comes locally from Germany. The customer experiences with the wild tomato are mostly positive: good germination, good taste and great growth.

Red Marble

'Red Murmel' is one of the most popular wild tomato varieties, which is why it is becoming increasingly available as a young plant in garden centres. Alternatively, you can grow her yourself using Own Grown's high-quality seeds. Their fruit size corresponds approximately to that of a marble, so it is very small. It should stand airy and be allowed to soak up a lot of sun. Then it grows without further attention around 150 centimeters high and just as wide in width. Also, she tastes very sweet, although her skin isn't always bursting is.

How do wild tomatoes grow?

As a rule, wild tomatoes do not grow on the pole; Tied up but reach heights of up to 250 centimeters. However, stick rearing involves a lot of work, since the plant is heavily branched and every shoot would have to be tied up. Instead, wild tomatoes are allowed to grow bushy in width. They should therefore be given enough space: "On good soil, a single free-growing plant covers more than 2 m²!", according to the tomato experts Horneburg and Watschong.

How are wild tomatoes grown?

cultivation

the cultivation of wild tomatoes is not fundamentally different from the approach to cultivated forms. Between the end of February and the end of March, the wild tomato seeds are gently pressed into a special container potting soil. How high the heat requirement of the variety is is written on the seed packaging. The seedlings appear after 10 to 14 days. Once the first true leaf is developed, the seedling will piqued and placed in a separate pot with new soil. Before planting in May, slowly acclimate the tomato to the sun.

Plant

To planting the wild tomatoes stand in the warm apartment. The young plants may only be placed in the garden or in the sunny tub after the end of the Ice Saints (mid-May). After planting, water the plant properly at the base. The first flowers should appear after just a few weeks. Due to the wide growth on generous planting distance regard.

location for wild tomatoes

The wild tomato likes it sunny. Other than that, she has few claims to hers Location. Shallow and dry soils are usually excellent, but not a must. In most cases, greenhouses are not recommended, as the wild tomato grows too quickly there and takes up space for more sensitive plants. And don't worry: wild tomatoes stand up to the wind and rain without any damage Diseases to be haunted. It is also suitable as a traffic light plant, although the high final weight should also be taken into account.

Which soil for wild tomatoes?

Also at the Earth the wild tomato hardly differs from stick tomatoes and Co. The heavy feeder prefers nutrient-rich and somewhat loose soil. Ideally, the pH is between 6 and 7, but this is negligible. The 'Galapagos wild tomato', for example, grows just as well in salty soil. As a rule, the substrate should be dry rather than too moist.

Climbing aids for wild tomatoes

While a pole has served as a climbing aid for many cultivars, it is not recommended for wild tomatoes. Instead, fences or frames that can be built quickly and easily by yourself are suitable. On them, the crops and foliage are always well off the ground. At the same time, so much light hits the bushy shrub.

Fence. Wild tomatoes are planted against fences or walls. As soon as the shoots have reached a height of about 30 centimeters, tie or braid them into the fence. Repeat this step until a 2-3 meter section of fence is covered with the tomato plant.

Frame in funnel shape. When the first shoots want to curl up across the ground, hammer three to four 1 meter long sticks into the earth at an angle around the plant. Fix either a thick band or wooden crosspieces between the bars. Lay the shoots on it and, if necessary, install new intermediate stages. The area should be at least 2 square meters measured at the top.

Radiant frame. Four to five 2 meter long sticks are inserted into the ground at right angles close together. Make sure the rack doesn't cast a shadow on the tomato. The sticks are opened like a fan or spread like fingers. In order to hold the sticks in this position, hammer them in deeper and connect them with wooden crosspieces. shoots as in funnel(€7.00 at Amazon*) lay on the crossbars and let them climb upwards. If necessary, support from behind or lean against a wall.

How are wild tomatoes cared for?

Fertilize wild tomatoes

Wild tomatoes thrive in conditions where conventional tomatoes struggle. That's why the wildlings don't need big ones fertilizer additions. There are gardeners who simply let their wild tomatoes grow outdoors and do not give them any fertilizer or water. While this works in some gardens, when growing for the first time, at least water should not be neglected. Over-fertilized plants “shoot into weeds”. Important: with wild tomatoes in the bucket Fertilize and watering duty!

Organic liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers like the Plantura organic tomato and vegetable fertilizer(€15.00 at Amazon*) support growth by providing minerals in the right concentration. In the bucket, this fertilizer is the best choice, although you have to slowly approach the right dosage. Better too little than too much.

horn shavings.(€9.00 at Amazon*) A organic fertilizer, which consists of slaughterhouse waste. Very sustainable, cheap and high in nitrogen - because of the latter it should not be used for wild tomatoes.

vinasse. A sticky juice made from sugar beets. Also organic, but usually too strong for wild tomatoes due to the high nitrogen content.

horse manure. Available free of charge at horse farms in the area. Due to the heat development, horse manure should only be worked into the soil before the season in March/April. He ensures good growth.

lawn clippings. Suitable for mulching. To do this, distribute the lawn clippings thinly around the plant and do not work them in. It keeps water in the ground and is slowly closing up humus decomposed.

nettle manure. The fermentation of nettle leads to nettle manure. Diluted, it gives the wild tomato outdoors a boost of nitrogen when their growth falters and also protects them from pests.

Pouring wild tomatoes

In the pot the tomatoes regularly to water. However, wild plants in open ground need much less liquid. You should be guided by the requirements of the selected variety. Some wild tomatoes need more, others less water. As a rule, they prefer it to be dry rather than constantly wet.

Exhausted wild tomatoes?

Wild tomatoes tend to branch very much. In many cultures (e.g. a. stick tomatoes) is that max out Compulsory, because side shoots draw energy from the fruit but do not produce any yield themselves. Wild tomatoes, on the other hand, are similar to the ancient tomato that grows in the jungles of South America. And thousands of years ago, no one exhausted it. Therefore, with wild tomatoes, more shoots means more yield.

Only in a few exceptional cases is it advisable to cut out wild tomatoes. For example, if the wild tomato is growing on a trellis, removing stinging shoots can help. Or if the plant has become too layered in the rack and is shading itself, some thinning can be done. And if the plant grows too quickly without forming flowers (e.g. due to too much fertilizer), it can also be pinched.

FAQ

Are wild tomatoes being pinched?

As a rule, wild tomatoes do not have to be pinched. Plants with multiple shoots are more productive. Branches are only removed in exceptional cases.

Which soil for wild tomatoes?

The soil for wild tomatoes should be nutrient-rich and loose. The pH is ideally between 6 and 7.

Are wild tomatoes resistant to brown rot?

Yes, wild tomatoes are considered to be robust and particularly resistant to late blight. However, they are not immune to it.

Which wild tomatoes are there?

There are many wild tomato varieties. The best wild tomatoes include the 'Humboldtii', 'Currant Sweet Pea' and 'Golden Currant'.

How are wild tomatoes planted?

Wild tomatoes are planted like conventional tomatoes. They are quite undemanding and can also be planted outdoors without protection.