Family: Solanaceae
Scientific name: Solanum pimpinellifolium
Common name: Wild tomato / Currant tomato
Origin: Coastal region Peru and Chili
Along the coast of Chili and Peru grows a wild tomato, that is the ancestor of the tomatoes we known nowadays. The ‘primeval’ tomato is only 6-8 mm big, and is therefore the smallest tomato on earth. The taste is delicious and sweet, and very healthy. Only 0,6% of the DNA is different from that of the well-known tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and the wild tomato is often crossed back into varieties. Especially the natural resistance against pests and diseases makes the wild tomato interesting for breeders. In temperate regions the wild tomato can be grown as an annual plant, and already after one summer hundreds of tomatoes can be harvested of each plant. The plant can best be grown in a pot in a sunny and sheltered stand. Certainly a recommendation if you are curious about the original taste of tomato.
Sowing description: Sow the seeds during springtime indoors in sowing mix, and let the seeds germinate at 20-25 degC. Keep the soil constantly moist (cover the soil with plastic or foil). Seedlings can be planted outside from may/june onwards.
Sowing time: February – April
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum temperature: 5 degC (annual)
