Indeterminate Tomato 'Black Prince' (Solanum lycopersicum) - Originally from Siberia, this is one of the most popular and most flavored black tomatoes. The Black Prince tomato is said to have considerable health benefits beyond the presence of lycopene. These deep garnet round, 5cm wide and 57-85g weighing tomatoes grow only 160cm tall and are full of juice and incredibly rich fruity flavors. Flat to round, slightly ribbed fruits, which ripen in clusters from mid-August are among chefs favourites for its rich flavours. The small fruits contain deep rich colors from inside out, which is olive-green to brown around the stem, even when the tomato is ripe. Perfect for patio gardens. Amazing for eating fresh, cooking in tomato sauce or other culinary wonders. A good canning tomato variety too. Indeterminate, takes 75-80 days to mature. Requires stacking for support. Fortunately, because ‘Black Prince’ is an heirloom variety, you can save its tomato seeds, and cultivate the best-looking fruits next season. Suitable to be grown indoors and outdoors in pots, or directly in the ground.
Growing:
Use moist paper towel method to speed up the germination (optional).
Sow: Depth: 3–5 mm (barely cover). Germination: 5–8 days. Transplant: At 10–15 cm (2 true leaves) to final pot. Pot: Minimum 30–40 cm wide × deep (15–20 L), bigger = better, with drainage holes. Insert 1.8–2 m stake or cage on day 1.
Soil: 40 % topsoil + 30 % compost + 20 % coco peat + 10 % perlite/rice hull. Add handful slow-release 14-14-14.
Light: Full direct sun 6–8 h (west/south balcony best).
Watering: Deep water every morning. Never let mix go bone-dry. Rainy season: tilt pot or shelter to avoid root rot.
Fertilizing: Weeks 1–4: balanced liquid (10-10-10) every 10 days. Flowering → fruiting: high-K (5-10-15 or tomato fertiliser) every 7 days. Once a month: 1 tbsp Epsom salt in 5 L water.
Polination (Critical in High Humidity):
1. Shake plants gently every morning 9–11 am (mimics wind).
2. Use an electric toothbrush or small fan pointed at flowers for 10 seconds.
3. Spray flowers lightly with water in the morning (helps pollen stick).
Common Problems & Solutions in tropical climate:
1. Blossom-end rot → calcium deficiency + uneven watering → keep soil evenly moist + weekly calcium foliar spray.
2. Fungal diseases (early blight, powdery mildew) → improve airflow, prune lower leaves, neem oil spray weekly as preventive.
3. Fruit cracking → sudden heavy rain after dry spell → mulch heavily + shelter during storms.
4. Whiteflies & aphids → yellow sticky traps + neem oil + dish soap spray.
5. Caterpillars (tomato hornworm) → hand-pick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray.
The TSM Guarantee: It's our promise to ensure that all our products are strictly Non-GMO, and free from any possible harmful chemical compounds. All come from trusted and carefully selected small non commercial farmers worldwide providing fresh, safe supply. Specially sourced for Singapore.
