Tomato Totem F1 Seedlings

The Tomato Totem F1 is a dwarf variety of Cherry type tomato originating from Russia, forming numerous clusters of slightly ovoid, ruby red fruits weighing 30 to 50 g with a very sweet flavor. The plants reach a height of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) and can be grown in containers on the balcony, patio or even on a windowsill. They take on a Christmas tree-like appearance with a ready-made decoration of red balls. Don't hesitate to hang the Tomato Totem in baskets where you can let its stems and leaves hang down languidly. The plants should be planted from April to June, after the last frost, for harvesting from July to October.

NB: This variety is labeled F1 for "hybrid F1" as it is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly flavorful and/or early while also being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticized or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are interesting both for their uniformity and their resistance, but unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to subsequent generations, so it will not be possible to save the seeds for future sowings.

The tomato plant is a perennial herbaceous plant in tropical climates but is grown as an annual in our latitudes. It lignifies over time and produces small, insignificant yellow flowers grouped in clusters that will transform into fruits.

It must be admitted that its fruit is very attractive and adds a pleasant color to the vegetable garden. It also has many nutritional advantages. Low in calories like most vegetables, rich in water, it contains a very interesting molecule: lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. And the longer the tomato is cooked, the more lycopene becomes available. It is also distinguished by its richness in vitamin C, provitamin A, and trace elements.

Today, its taste and nutritional qualities are well established. For gardeners, the tomato is one of the essential vegetables of summer. They simply need to consider how they plan to use it to guide them among the many existing varieties. Is it for salads, sauces, consumption on-site, cooked, etc.? They will also consider when they want to harvest it. The answer will of course be influenced by the average summer sunshine in the region where their garden is located. Rest assured, the choice is vast and there is a tomato for every situation! And while tomatoes do require a lot of sun and heat, they do not necessarily need a lot of space. That's why you shouldn't hesitate to grow them in containers on your balcony, where you can focus on varieties with small fruits. Be careful, immature fruits, stems, and leaves contain solanine and should not be consumed.

Harvesting: depending on the variety, from early to late, it can take 50 to 100 days between the transplanting date and the harvest. There is no foolproof trick to know for sure when a tomato has reached full ripeness. The harvest will be done when, at the very least, it is completely colored as announced and when its texture, while remaining firm, shows slight softening. For better preservation, be sure to pick the fruit with its calyx.

Storage: tomatoes do not keep as long as their water content is high. They can be stored for a few days in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator or spread out in the open air. To keep them longer, consider culinary methods such as tomato confit, dried tomatoes, sauces, frozen fruits, preserves, jams, or juices. We love to confit them because it's so simple and delicious: cut your tomatoes in half and collect the juice. Place your halved tomatoes face up on the baking tray of your oven. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar, then bake at a very low temperature for at least an hour. Remove your tomatoes and consume immediately, otherwise, store them in a glass jar and cover with olive oil.

The gardener's tip: it is recommended to grow several varieties of tomatoes each year to minimize the risk of complete loss of harvest due to climatic conditions or specific diseases.
To prevent the phenomenon of 'blossom end rot' - not a disease but a calcium deficiency - spray a comfrey maceration rich in calcium on your plants.
When transplanting, do not hesitate to bury the stem up to the first leaves. This will stimulate the root system, ensuring a bountiful fruit harvest.
Winning combinations in the garden are often the same on the plate. It's a good mnemonic device to remember that tomatoes and basil go well together.