Tomato Grafted 'Cherokee Purple' 1 Gallon

Growing fully ripe tomatoes in the Pacific NW requires planning and determination, but as any gardener who has done it successfully will tell you, it's absolutely worth it. Optimal conditions include full sun, well-draining soil in ground or in large pots, and adequate trellising/support for indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Heirloom tomatoes are a challenge to one's patience as well, as they usually take three months to fully ripen.
Grafted Cherokee Purple tomato starts just made life easier for lovers of this incredibly flavorful tomato. Cherokee Purple starts are grafted onto the root stock of inedible tomato varieties (who knew such a thing existed?) that are more disease resistant, grow bigger root systems, and generally handle the vagaries of Pacific NW weather better than any edible tomato. The grower claims that the fruit size is also noticeably bigger than "regular" plants. This indeterminate vine is extremely vigorous so give it plenty of room and a tall, sturdy support system. Unlike other tomato starts, this grafted Brandywine plant <strong>should not be planted deep</strong>  and the graft should be kept well above soil level. As is true for all tomatoes, water deeply from the bottom when the soil is dry, fertilize when blossoms first appear, and again when the fruit begins to set. Then settle back and wait for these absolutely delicious tomatoes to ripen.
 

Common Name: Grafted Cherokee Purple Tomato

Culinary Uses: Fresh in salads, on sandwiches or wraps, and cold soups.

Harvest Time: 75 - 85 days from transplanting

Mature Size: Vines are 6' and longer. Fruits average 8 to 12 ounces each.

Growth Rate: Moderate

Cold Hardiness: Frost sensitive annual°

Characteristics:

Light: Full sun

Structure: Vines are 7' and longer. Put in support - cage, trellis, or stakes - at time of planting.

Photos: Real images, not stock photos

Please Note: When Ground Shipping is selected, plants will be shipped on the following Monday to help maintain the plant quality.