Description
AAS WINNER DETAILS
Winner Type: National Winner
Class: Tomato
Variety Name: Red Torch F1
Genus: Solanum
Species: lycopersicum
Year: 2019
Common Name: Tomato
Type: Edible – Vegetable
Breeder: Bred by Frogsleap Farm distributed by A. P. Whaley Seed Company
Close Market Comparison: Pink Tiger and Maglia Rosa
PLANT NEEDS
Duration Type: Annual
Light Needs: Full sun
Water Needs: Normal
Season Type: Warm season
Staking Required: Yes
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Foliage Color: Green
Plant Habit: Upright, requires staking
Fruit Color (Harvest): Red striped with yellow
Fruit Shape: 1.5 inch oblong fruits
Fruit Weight: 1.5 ounces
Fruit Flavor Description: Excellent flavor
Number Of Fruits Per Plant: 100+
IN THE GARDEN
Container: Yes, if well supported
Garden Spacing: 2 feet
Days To Harvest (Sowing Seed): Not recommended
Days To Harvest (Transplant): 60-70
Plant Spread: 2 feet
Disease Resistances or Tolerances: Excellent tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses
HOW TO GROW
Tomato seeds need to be started indoors, planted ¼” deep in pots or flats 6 weeks before the last frost. Seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate. When seedlings reach 2” tall, transplant into individual pots. Transplant outdoors 24-30″ apart in rows 36″ apart when nighttime temperatures are above 50° F. Indeterminate plants require stakes or trellising. Maintain soil fertility and a steady, consistent supply of water.
JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS
- “Delicious, long-standing in the garden (still producing in late September, even after we pulled some of the comparisons).”
- “Very pretty, covered in lots of fruits. Perfect size too–not too big, not too small! I think this one is a winner!”
- “The entry is prolific, flavorful and unique in appearance.”
- “Very good entry with high yields, great appearance, and great taste. Good disease resistance to the common leaf spots.”
- “Entry has attractive striped fruit and better taste than the checks. Overall performance was good.”
- “Trial variety beat out the competition in the taste test.”
Jeni Cullen, Eden Park, Cincinnati, OH –
I grew these in a display garden mixed in with annual flowers. Not only are they prolific and tasty, they added an interesting look growing up through the props.