Tomato “Wherokowhai” seeds

Description

75 Days.  Created by the New Zealand Dwarf Tomato Project, “Wherokowhai”was released in 2014-2015. Though, I’m not a fan of potato leafed tomatoes, I will definitely grow this one again. It has inherited the same outstanding sweet flavour and production from its “Brandywine” grandmother. In Maori “wherokowhai’ translates to “yellow-red”  as the skin and firm yellow flesh are marked with red.   Hip high plant need strong canes for support. Heirloom in waiting.  Child of “Dwarf Russian Swirl” x “Lucky Cross”.

• Seed Count: 20-25
• Collection Date: Sept 2019
• Hardiness Zone: annual
• Tomato type: dwarf bush, beefsteak, potato leaf
• Height and Width: bush
• Germination test type: hand sort

How to germinate Wherokowhai tomato seeds:

Sow 5 mm deep. Keep moist; plastic cover improves success. Opt. germination temp: 18-25 C. Days to germ: 5-10.  We use warmed moist medium (25-28C) when sowing. Equally warm water is used to mist in the seeds so there is good seed/medium contact.  This jump starts the germination process. When watering your tomatoes ALWAYS use warm 25-28C water.  This keeps the root mitochondria happy and vigorous. After all a plant is only as good as its roots.  Give strong indirect light. After the 3rd true leaf, they’re transplanted from plug trays into individual containers. Medium is amended with rock phosphate, Gaia Green 4-4-4,  and green sand. Once a week, the warm water is amended with 1 tbsp soluble kelp powder (2-2-16) and 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses per 5 gallon bucket. BTW: blossom end rot is a nutritional disorder caused by a lack of calcium causing fruit to rot from the blossom end. Use mulch to retain moisture. Never hit them with cold water.