Chocolate Black Tomato Seeds

Growing Chocolate Black Tomatoes at Home

1. About the Plant

Black tomatoes, also known as Chocolate tomatoes, have distinctive dark-brown to purple coloring, thin skin and a rich flavor balancing sweetness with mild acidity. They are an appealing choice for salads and appetizers and bring a distinctive touch to traditional tomato dishes.

2. Step-by-Step Growing Guide

Preparing the Soil

• Use light, fertile, well-aerated soil.
• Mix in well-rotted organic fertilizer or compost before planting to improve fertility.

Sowing and Transplanting

• Start seeds in a nursery or indoor seed trays, allowing 5–6 weeks for seedlings to become ready.
• Transplant into the garden after the risk of frost has passed, spacing plants 50 cm apart.
• Water immediately after transplanting to settle the seedlings into the soil.

Plant Care

• Watering: Water regularly 2–3 times a week, gradually reducing watering as maturity approaches.
• Feeding: Use NPK 12-12-36 or a potassium-rich fertilizer to encourage fruiting and improve color and flavor.
• Support: Tie plants to stakes or use metal cages to support upright growth and keep fruit off the soil.
• Pruning: Remove lower leaves and unproductive branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.

Harvest

Harvest about 80–90 days after planting, when fruits turn dark brown with a slight sheen. Cut with pruning shears, leaving a small section of stem attached to help keep fruit fresh for longer.

3. Common Pests and Problems

• Aphids: PRIZE insecticide, available at Hedera, is recommended for control.
• Red spider mites: Abamectin is recommended for control.
• Powdery mildew: Mycotan is recommended to control fungal spread.
• Blossom-end rot: This is attributed to calcium deficiency; a calcium-containing fertilizer or a foliar calcium nitrate spray is recommended.

4. Additional Growing Tips

• Choose a sunny site with 6–8 hours of sunlight a day.
• Avoid heavy or clay soils and provide good drainage.
• Balance watering and feeding to reduce root rot and poor fruiting.
• Keep irrigation water off the leaves to reduce fungal disease.

Chocolate black tomatoes add distinctive color and flavor to dishes. They are relatively easy to grow at home, and appropriate care and pest prevention support an abundant, distinctive harvest.