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Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Lycopersicon esculentum

  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Start tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sowing the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees F until germination, as well as providing adequate light in a sunny window or under a grow light; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to grow strongly rooted plants. A week before planting the seedlings outside, begin exposing them to the weather during the day to harden them; tomatoes cannot endure cold weather, and should not be transplanted outside until all threat of frost has passed. When the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F, plant the seedlings in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves. If providing a trellis, space the plants 2' apart, but if allowing the vines to spread, space the plants 3-4' apart. For companion planting benefits, plant tomatoes with carrots or onions, but avoid planting them with cabbage or potatoes.

Growing: Indeterminate tomato varieties often perform best when provided with a trellis or support, since this protects them from various pests and diseases in connection with too much soil contact. Put the supports in place before the seedlings develop vines. As the vines begin to grow, tying them to the support helps their development. Since temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage production, protect the plants if temperatures drop. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds; water the plants once a week, but avoid getting the leaves wet. Pruning the "suckers," or shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches, will greatly improve the production and strength of the plant.

Harvesting: Test the ripeness of tomatoes by pressing them gently; the flesh should yield slightly. The mature color also indicates ripeness; Cherokee Purple develops green shoulders when ripe. If the stem does not come easily off the vine, cut it with a scissors. Vine ripened tomatoes have the best flavor, but as soon as frost comes, all tomatoes should be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will ripen eventually if kept in a warm place out of direct sunlight. Cherokee Purple tomatoes have a marvelous sweetness; though not suitable for sauce or canning, they have an unsurpassed flavor for fresh slicing.

Seed Saving: Since cross pollination between most tomato varieties is unlikely, isolation is not a concern. Pick fully ripe tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally, across the middle; squeeze out the pulp into a container. An alternative method for smaller tomatoes is to put them in a blender and pulse the mixture, since the seeds are hard and slippery and will not be harmed. Let the mixture ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold has formed; this process removes the gelatinous layer on the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds. Pour off the mold and debris, saving the good seeds on the bottom. Rinse the seeds in a strainer under running water until they are clean, then spread them out to dry in a protected location away from direct sunlight. Stir them twice a day, and provide a fan to speed drying if the air is humid. Once the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds are completely dry, store them in a cool, dry location for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Indeterminate, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 10,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 60 Inches

Color: Brown

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~50 Seeds) $3.75 -+
1/16 Oz Mylar (1.77g) $5.96 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $9.60 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~10,000 Seeds) $26.00 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $104.00 -+
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $390.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

These popular dusty-rose colored heirloom tomatoes mature in about 80 days, weigh about 12 Oz, and are very sweet! Many consider Cherokee Purple to be the best-tasting tomato out there, and the purplish color adds interest. Organic Cherokee Purple tomato seeds are very productive. Indeterminate.
Craig LeHoullier, a Seed Savers Exchange member, PhD chemist, and gardening enthusiast, received the seeds of Cherokee Purple in the mail from J. D. Green of Tennessee. Mr. Green stated that his neighbor had obtained the seed from Cherokee Indians in the area, who had developed this variety and grown it for generations. LeHoullier, being greatly impressed with the purple tomatoes, sent them to Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Johnny's Seeds, who both began to produce them commercially in 1991. Cherokee Purple, in addition to the famous Brandywine tomatoes, caused the popularity of old fashioned heirloom varieties of tomato.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Start tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sowing the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees F until germination, as well as providing adequate light in a sunny window or under a grow light; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to grow strongly rooted plants. A week before planting the seedlings outside, begin exposing them to the weather during the day to harden them; tomatoes cannot endure cold weather, and should not be transplanted outside until all threat of frost has passed. When the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F, plant the seedlings in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves. If providing a trellis, space the plants 2' apart, but if allowing the vines to spread, space the plants 3-4' apart. For companion planting benefits, plant tomatoes with carrots or onions, but avoid planting them with cabbage or potatoes.

Growing: Indeterminate tomato varieties often perform best when provided with a trellis or support, since this protects them from various pests and diseases in connection with too much soil contact. Put the supports in place before the seedlings develop vines. As the vines begin to grow, tying them to the support helps their development. Since temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage production, protect the plants if temperatures drop. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds; water the plants once a week, but avoid getting the leaves wet. Pruning the "suckers," or shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches, will greatly improve the production and strength of the plant.

Harvesting: Test the ripeness of tomatoes by pressing them gently; the flesh should yield slightly. The mature color also indicates ripeness; Cherokee Purple develops green shoulders when ripe. If the stem does not come easily off the vine, cut it with a scissors. Vine ripened tomatoes have the best flavor, but as soon as frost comes, all tomatoes should be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will ripen eventually if kept in a warm place out of direct sunlight. Cherokee Purple tomatoes have a marvelous sweetness; though not suitable for sauce or canning, they have an unsurpassed flavor for fresh slicing.

Seed Saving: Since cross pollination between most tomato varieties is unlikely, isolation is not a concern. Pick fully ripe tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally, across the middle; squeeze out the pulp into a container. An alternative method for smaller tomatoes is to put them in a blender and pulse the mixture, since the seeds are hard and slippery and will not be harmed. Let the mixture ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold has formed; this process removes the gelatinous layer on the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds. Pour off the mold and debris, saving the good seeds on the bottom. Rinse the seeds in a strainer under running water until they are clean, then spread them out to dry in a protected location away from direct sunlight. Stir them twice a day, and provide a fan to speed drying if the air is humid. Once the Cherokee purple heirloom tomato seeds are completely dry, store them in a cool, dry location for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Indeterminate, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 10,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 60 Inches

Color: Brown