Large Red Cherry Tomato
Plant Description
The Large Red Cherry Tomato is a beloved garden favorite known for its vigorous growth and abundant yield of sweet, bright red fruit. Unlike smaller cherry varieties, these fruits are about the size of a quarter, perfect for snacking, salads, or grilling.
This variety is typically indeterminate, meaning the vines grow continuously throughout the season, setting fruit until frost. This requires strong support but ensures a long, consistent harvest, making them ideal for continuous fresh eating.
General Growing Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Indeterminate (Vining) |
| Mature Plant Height | 6 to 8 feet (requires trellis/stake) |
| Plant Spacing | 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) between plants |
| Row Spacing | 4–5 feet (120–150 cm) between rows |
| Days to Maturity | 65–75 days from transplant |
Plant Care and Cultivation
Due to their vining habit, Large Red Cherry Tomatoes require more attention to support and pruning than determinate varieties.
- Sunlight: Requires a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production.
- Soil: Prefers loamy, fertile, and well-draining soil (pH 6.0-6.8).
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather.
- Support: Heavy staking or caging is essential due to the weight of the vines and fruit. Pruning suckers encourages better airflow and redirects energy to fruit production.
Popular Cherry Tomato Recipes
Sweet and juicy, cherry tomatoes are best enjoyed fresh. Visit our Recipe Section for guides on:
- Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Fresh Garden Salad Topping
- Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes
Harvesting and Storing Options
Harvest when the tomatoes are fully colored and detach easily from the vine.
- Fresh Storage: Store at room temperature on the counter for the best flavor.
- Freezing: Wash, dry, and place whole tomatoes on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. Ideal for winter sauces.
- Drying: Can be halved and dried for a sweet, intense flavor.
Horticulture: Propagation via Cuttings
Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings, often called suckers. This technique allows you to clone your favorite plant:
- Select a sucker that is 6-8 inches long.
- Remove all leaves from the lower stem.
- Place the cutting in water or moist potting mix. Roots will form quickly in a warm location.
Tip: Cuttings can often be rooted directly in the garden soil during warm weather.
Horticulture: Grafting Tomatoes
Grafting, which joins a desired variety (scion, e.g., Roma) onto a disease-resistant rootstock (stock), can be used to improve performance.
- Primary Benefits: Exceptional disease resistance and superior water/nutrient uptake, leading to higher overall yields.
- Technique: Due to the thinner stems of most cherry varieties, use a smaller grafting clip and monitor closely during the healing process.