The Ox Heart tomato 'Paloma F1', from the seed company Hortinova, is a hybrid variety of the oxheart type, known for its early maturity and generous fruits. With an indeterminate shape, this vigorous plant offers fleshy red tomatoes, weighing between 300 and 320 grams. Adaptable to various growing conditions, it produces uniform fruits with a rich taste and firm flesh, ideal for the fresh market. Resistant to cracking, this heirloom tomato combines aesthetics and flavor, with a high yield thanks to its short internodes.
Spread: 50 cm
Plant height: 1.8 m (support required)
Tomato type: Ox Heart
Port: Undetermined
Quantity per pack: 15 seeds
Companion plants: Basil, parsley, garlic
Enemy plants: Potatoes, fennel
Latin name: Solanum lycopersicum
For successful cultivation, sow seeds indoors in early spring. Place one seed per cell 2 cm (1 in) deep in seed starting mix, water thoroughly, and cover with a clear plastic bag or place in a propagator. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the covers and transplant the seedlings into 9 cm pots when they are 8 cm (3 in) tall and have three true leaves.
Gradually acclimate young plants to outdoor conditions in late spring, then transplant them into fertile, well-drained soil in full sun in early summer. Space them 20 inches apart and plant them deeply, burying the lowest leaves below soil level. Provide sturdy support, such as stakes or wire spirals, to support their upright growth.
Harvest the fruit when it is fully ripe, gently pulling it from the plant where the stem joins the cluster. Be sure to harvest all tomatoes grown outdoors before the first frost to avoid damage. To preserve their flavour and texture, store them at room temperature rather than in the fridge. Unripe fruit can be brought indoors to finish ripening, or made into chutneys or delicious preserves.
