Tomato - Matt's Wild Cherry

OH. All tomatoes originated in the Americas; this particular one is found growing wild in the state of Hidalgo in Eastern Mexico. Teresa Arellanos de Mena was visiting her family in Hidalgo when she collected these seeds to bring to Maine, USA, so it was by this choice the world knows this delicious cherry tomato. On her return to Maine, she gave some of the seeds to her friend, Dr Matt Liebman, who was at the time faculty at the University of Maine Agriculture Department. He then went on to give the seeds to a Maine seed company, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and from there they have spread even here to NZ. I was so pleasantly surprised to try this tomato for the first time as it is so sweet and flavourful. It reminds me of our Yellow Currant cherry tomato, but it is a bright red. This indeterminate plant produces many fruit stalks with 7-14 small (2cm diameter) red fruits. So prolific, and performs well in colder climates as the fruit is small so ripens more quickly and over a very long period. Yellow currants have long been a favourite for this reason and I can tell a new favourite for me has been discovered.

Sow in August into trays in a glasshouse. Keep soil temp at 18-20°C for ideal germination. Prick out when true leaves appear to 4cm diagonal spacing. Pot on to small pots to further develop roots. Transplant after last frost to 40cm diagonal spacing into fertile ground in direct sun. Stake and de-lateral as needed.

20 seeds.