The chocolate cherry tomato is a small, round tomato that gets its name from its deep brown color. Chocolate cherry tomato size is typically one to two inches in diameter and it has a sweet, fruity flavor.
While these can be used in any recipe that calls for cherry tomatoes, their unique flavor is best showcased when eaten fresh. Let us take you on a fun reading trip to learn all about chocolate cherry tomato care.
Contents
What Is Chocolate Cherry Tomato?
Chocolate cherry tomatoes get their name from their chocolate brown color, small shape, and sweet flavor. They are native to South America but can be grown in Europe, and Asia. They are popular because they can be a star in sweet and savory dishes like salads, and pasta.
Chocolate Cherry Tomato Care
Chocolate Cherry tomatoes are a type of miniature tomato that is prized for their deep chocolate color and sweet flavor. These tomatoes are typically grown in containers or small spaces and require very little care.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when growing Chocolate Cherry tomatoes, like watering and fertilizing schedule, pruning tips, and sunlight intake. We will now look at the details of all these care tips:
– Water Requirements
While this tomato variety can be grown in a variety of climates, it does have specific water requirements that must be met to thrive. This specific tomato requires at least one inch of water per week, preferably in the form of rain or irrigation.
They are also quite drought tolerant, so if you live in an area with low rainfall, they may only need to be watered every two weeks. It is important not to overwater these plants as too much water can lead to fungal diseases.
– Light Requirements
If you are interested in growing Chocolate cherry tomatoes, it is important to know that they have specific light requirements. Unlike other types of tomatoes, Chocolate cherry tomatoes need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
They also prefer slightly warmer temperatures, so it is best to plant them in an area that gets full sun. If you live in a hot climate, it is important to provide some afternoon shade to prevent the chocolate cherry tomatoes from getting too much sun and becoming overheated.
– Soil Requirements
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the soil requirements the Chocolate Cherry tomatoes need well-drained soil because if the soil is too wet, the roots will rot, and the plant will die.
The soil should be rich in organic matter to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to produce healthy fruit. The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Keep in mind that the soil should be loose and crumbly to help the roots to spread and allow water to easily penetrate the soil.
– Temperature Requirements
The dark hue of the fruit is a result of anthocyanin, a pigment that is found in many fruits and vegetables. While they can be grown in most climates, they thrive in warm weather and require temperatures between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit to produce fruit.
Tomatoes should be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and the seedlings should then be transplanted outdoors when the temperatures are warm enough. Once the plants are established they will need to be watered regularly and fertilized every few weeks.
– Humidity Requirements
Chocolate Cherry tomatoes prefer humid conditions with a relative humidity of at least 60 percent. If the air is too dry, the fruits will not develop properly and will be small and lackluster.
Additionally, the plants themselves may become stressed and more susceptible to disease. For gardeners in dry climates, it is important to take steps to increase the humidity around the plants, such as using a humidifier or misting the leaves regularly.
– Fertilizing Requirements
While it is possible to grow chocolate cherry tomatoes without fertilizer, they will produce the best fruit when given a consistent supply of nutrients. The ideal fertilizer for chocolate cherry tomatoes is high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus.
Nitrogen helps the plant to produce leaves and stems, while phosphorus aids in the development of fruits and flowers.
A fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-10-10 will provide the perfect blend of nutrients for chocolate cherry tomatoes which should be applied every two weeks during the growing season to ensure that the plants have a steady supply of nutrients to produce delicious fruit.
Harvesting
Chocolate cherry tomatoes are a relatively easy plant to grow and care for, as long as they are given the proper amount of attention. Nonetheless, here is how you can harvest these tomatoes and how you can properly store them:
– How To Harvest Chocolate Cherry Tomato
For the best chocolate cherry tomato flavor, chocolate cherry tomatoes should be harvested when they are fully ripe and the skin of the fruit will be deep brown color, and the flesh will be soft to the touch.
When the fruit is ready to be picked, it will turn chocolate brown or chocolate-colored. The skin of the fruit will also be smooth, and the fruit will be softer to touch. Harvest chocolate cherry tomatoes when they are a deep red or chocolate color and slightly soft to the touch.
Pinch off any flowers or new growth that appears at the base of the plant so that the plant can focus its energy on producing fruit. When the plant is inches tall, install a trellis or support next to the plant so that the stems can wrap around it as they grow.
Tomatoes can be harvested by hand or with a pruning shear. If using a pruner, cut the stem just above the point where it attaches to the vine but be sure to handle the fruit gently, as bruising can occur easily. Once picked, chocolate cherry tomatoes can be eaten fresh, canned, preserved, or used in any recipe that calls for tomatoes.
Chocolate cherry tomato plants will produce fruit for the entire growing season. However, the plant will produce abundantly in the summer months.
– How To Store Chocolate Cherry Tomato
After harvesting these gorgeous tomatoes from your garden keep in mind to store them on the counter, keeping the side of the vine downwards. Furthermore, when they ripen just right, you may now store them in the fridge.
When storing them, it is crucial to keep in mind that tomatoes are generous in releasing ethylene gas and as they do so, the fruits or the vegetables that are around them on the counter will ripen very quickly because of this gas.
Problems
The chocolate cherry tomato is a hybrid between the chocolate cherry and the sweet 100 tomatoes. It’s an indeterminate variety, meaning it will continue to grow and produce fruit until frost kills the plant.
The fruits are small, round, and deep red, with a sweet flavor. This variety of small tomatoes is relatively disease-resistant, but they can still be affected by some common problems, which include blossom end rot, cracked fruit, pest attack, wilting, and sunscald.
– Blossom End Rot
One of the most common problems tomatoes face is blossom end rot. This is a condition that affects the bottom part of the fruit, causing it to develop a dark brown or black patch. Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. To prevent this problem, make sure your plants are getting enough calcium in the form of fertilizer.
– Catfacing
This is a condition that causes the fruit to develop deformities and scarring. Catfacing is caused by several factors, including poor pollination, high temperatures, and wind damage.
To prevent this problem, make sure your plants are getting enough pollination by shaking the blossoms with your hand or by planting bee-friendly plants and wildflowers in your garden.
– Cracked Fruit Problem
Cracked fruit can be caused by several factors, including drought, improper fertilization, and disease. Once a tomato begins to crack, the process cannot be reversed but the fruit is still safe to eat and will continue to ripen on the vine.
Cracked fruit may not be as visually appealing as unblemished fruit, but it will still taste just as sweet and delicious. To prevent this problem, make sure your plants are getting frequent water and fertilizer.
– Wilting Leaves
If the leaves of your plant are wilting, it could be a sign of water stress. Make sure you are watering your plants regularly and deeply, especially during hot weather. If the problem persists, try adding mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture.
– Yellow Leaves
One possible reason is if the soil doesn’t have enough nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, the leaves will begin to turn yellow. Another possibility is early blight, a fungal disease that affects tomatoes and other solanaceous crops.
Finally, the problem could be caused by too much water or too little light. If you’re not sure what’s causing the yellowing of leaves, it’s best to consult with a local gardening expert.
– Sunscalding
Sunscalding can also cause the leaves to turn yellow. This happens when the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, causing the leaves to scorch. To prevent sunscalding, make sure to provide enough shade for your plants.
– Blight
Blight is caused by a fungus that attacks the leaves and fruit of the tomato plant, causing them to turn brown and rot. Blight can spread quickly and often destroys an entire crop within days. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent or treat blight. Gardeners can use resistant varieties of chocolate cherry tomatoes, or they can treat the plants with a fungicide.
– Pest Attack
One common problem that growers encounter is pest infestation. The sweet smell of these tomatoes attracts aphids, whiteflies, and other destructive pests.
These pests can cause extensive damage to the fruit, making it unappealing to consumers. As a result, growers must take special care to protect their crops from pest infestation.
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your vine stays healthy and pest-free. First, inspect the leaves, stems, and flowers for any signs of pests such as aphids or spider mites.
If you see any pests, immediately remove them by wiping them off with a damp cloth or spraying them with water. Finally, keep an eye out for any webbing or egg sacs, which can indicate an infestation. If you see any of these, immediately contact a pest control professional.
– Low Stability
A trellis or support can be a great addition to your tomato vine because it can provide additional stability for the vine, help to keep the fruits off the ground and make it easier to harvest the tomatoes. There are a few different ways to add a trellis or support to your vine.
One option is to build a simple frame out of wood or metal close to the base of the vine. Once the frame is in place, you can train the vine to grow up and over it. Metal and wood both work fine, but if you live in hotter climates, it is best to use wood as it doesn’t heat up as quickly as metal and won’t hurt the plant.
Another option is to weave the vine through a lattice of chicken wire or string. Whichever method you choose, be sure to add the support before the vine gets too big. Otherwise, you may damage the plant. With a little bit of planning, you can easily add a trellis or support to your tomato vine.
Frequently Asked Questions
– How To Prune Chocolate Cherry Vine
To prune the chocolate cherry vine, start by trimming away any dead or damaged growth. Then, cut back the main stems by about one-third of their overall length.
Next, prune any lateral branches that are longer than 18 inches. Finally, trim away any remaining leaves or flowers. Chocolate cherry vines can be pruned annually in late winter or early spring.
– Are Chocolate Cherry and Black Cherry Tomatoes The Same?
Yes, chocolate cherry and black cherry tomatoes are the same variety of tomatoes. The black cherry tomato is just the bigger version of the chocolate cherry tomato.
– How To Propagate Chocolate Cherry Tomato?
Chocolate cherry tomatoes are best propagated from seed which can be started indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area.
You can sow the cherry tomato seeds in a sterile seed-starting mix and keep them moist but not wet while exposing them to grow lights or indirect sunlight from a window.
Once they germinate, transplant them into small pots filled with potting soil and place them on a sunny spot to harden or acclimatize them before you transplant them into the outdoor garden.
After they are acclimated to outdoor conditions, plant them in well-drained soil in an area that gets five to six hours of sunlight daily and water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
– How To Maximize Yield From Your Tomato Vine?
As this variety of tomatoes are indeterminate vines, they will continue to produce fruit throughout the season.
To maximize yield, it is essential to keep the vine healthy and free of pests and diseases, water regularly, and fertilize with a high potassium fertilizer every two weeks. Remove any yellow or brown leaves as these can harbor pests and diseases. Shake the vine gently to help with pollination so that all the flowers bear fruit.
Conclusion
Tomatoes are a rewarding plant that produces large amounts of fruits and adds beauty and color to the garden.
It is also a great activity for kids and adults alike to see the process of growth of tomatoes from start to finish to eating it in different forms and here is what we have learned about them:
- Chocolate tomatoes are in the indeterminate category, which means they will grow upwards as a vine and may need staking.
- You’ll know they’re ripe when they turn chocolate brown or chocolate-colored and their skin is smooth.
- These plants produce fruit for the entire growing season, but most fruit will be produced in the summer and spring.
- If you’re thinking of growing your chocolate cherry tomatoes, make sure to give them plenty of space to grow. They’ll need a trellis or some form of support to keep the plant from sprawling out on the ground.
- They also prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure to water them regularly, especially during summers.
Cherry tomatoes are an absolute visual and edible treat and can easily be grown in home gardens with the right care, you can enjoy an abundance of these little indulgences all season long. We hope that the guide above helped you know your plants better.
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