Determinate Tomato 'Principe Borghese' (Solanum lycopersicum) - This classic Italian heirloom produces small, plum-shaped, meaty fruits (30–50 g) renowned for their intense, sweet flavour when sun-dried. The bright-red tomatoes have thick walls and very little juice, making them the gold standard for natural drying. Fruits 65–75 days after sowing.
- Highly suitable for pots and small spaces: compact determinate growth reaches only 90–120 cm, performs excellently in 10–15 L containers.
- Well-adapted to Singapore’s heat and humidity; sets fruit reliably throughout the year.
- Exceptional flavour: fresh fruits are sweet and low-acid; dried fruits concentrate into rich, smoky-sweet intensity.
- Dries easily on the vine or in direct sun — perfect for Singapore’s climate, requiring minimal effort or equipment.
One or two plants on a balcony can supply an entire year’s worth of premium sun-dried tomatoes at a fraction of store prices.
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.
Minimum pot size: 20–25 cm diameter (5–8 litre). Larger (30 cm/10–15 litre) gives bigger yield.
Soil: Use light, well-draining mix: 50% good potting soil + 30% compost + 20% perlite. Do NOT use garden soil (risk of damping-off in our humidity).
Light: at least 6–8 hours daily. West- or south-facing HDB balcony/corridor is perfect. Morning sun + afternoon bright shade also works well.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water daily (morning is best) during dry spells; reduce slightly during rainy season. Use saucer but empty excess water after 30 min to avoid root rot.
Fertilizing: At transplant: mix slow-release 15-15-15 or organic pellet fertiliser into soil. Every 10–14 days: liquid feed with high-potassium tomato fertiliser (e.g., 5-10-30 or bloom formula) or diluted organic liquid (fish emulsion, seaweed).
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.
