Indeterminate Tomato 'Red Zebra' (Solanum lycopersicum) - the dazzling, fire-striped tomato that looks and tastes like nothing in the supermarket. Vibrant 6–8 cm round fruits glow bright red with bold golden-orange stripes. One bite delivers a thrilling sweet-tangy explosion: juicy, rich and full of true tomato flavour with a zesty kick.
Key facts that make it perfect for Singapore homes:
- Plant height: only 1.5–1.8 m tall (easy to control with a simple stake or cage);
- Perfect for pots and small spaces – grows happily in 20–30 litre containers on balconies or corridors;
- First ripe fruits in just 75–85 days from transplant;
- Keeps producing heavily all year round in our hot, humid weather;
- Crack-resistant and highly disease-tolerant in tropical conditions.
Growing:
Pot size: Minimum pot size 20–30 litres (ideal 25–30 L) with drainage holes. Fabric pots or light-coloured plastic pots stay cooler in our sun.
Sowing depth & soil: 0.5 cm deep. Germination 5–10 days. Use seedling mix or 50:50 coco peat + compost.
Seedling stage: Keep moist but not waterlogged. Give morning sun or bright indirect light. Transplant when seedlings have 3–4 true leaves (about 3–4 weeks old).
Potting up & soil mix: Mix: 40 % good garden soil or topsoil + 30 % compost + 20 % coco peat or perlite + 10 % burnt earth or vermicast. Add a handful of slow-release organic fertiliser (e.g. 8-8-8 or chicken manure pellets).
Light: At least 6–8 hours direct sunlight daily. East- or west-facing HDB balcony ideal. South-facing also fine if not blocked. Avoid total shade.
Watering: Water deeply every morning; let top 2–3 cm soil dry slightly between waterings. In rainy season, ensure pot never sits in water. Never wet leaves in the evening to avoid fungal issues.
Feeding: Every 10–14 days: liquid seaweed/fish emulsion or organic tomato fertiliser high in potassium (e.g. 5-10-10). Once flowering starts, add weekly dose of calcium (crushed eggshells or cal-mag) to prevent blossom-end rot.
Support: tie main stem to stake every 20–30 cm as it grows.
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.
