The 'Igranda' tomato, from the Hortinova seed company, is an open-pollinated field variety, known for its reliability and high yield. With a mid-early maturity and a determined shape, this robust plant produces round and slightly flattened fruits, weighing between 120 and 160 grams. Ideal for processing or the fresh market, it offers fruits with medium firmness and a balanced taste. The seeds are natural, untreated and GMO-free, for environmentally friendly cultivation.
Spread: 45 cm
Plant height: 80 to 100 cm
Tomato type: Round-flat
Port: Determinate
Quantity per pack: 50 seeds
Companion plants: Carrots, basil, onions
Enemy plants: Fennel, potatoes
Latin name: Solanum lycopersicum
To get started, fill seed trays or pots with seedling compost. Make a hole about 5mm in the centre, drop in a seed, cover with soil, water well and allow to drain. Place the pots in a propagator with a clear lid or in a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse and place on a bright, warm windowsill in early spring. Once the seedlings have germinated, remove the lid to prevent excess moisture and water regularly. Turn the pots daily to prevent the young plants from leaning towards the light.
Transplant the seedlings into larger pots when they are about 8cm tall, taking care to handle them by the leaves, not the stem. In late spring, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of two weeks. Transplant them into soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure, in containers or in the open field, once the risk of frost has passed. Plant them slightly deeper than they were growing in their pots.
Water plants moderately in early growth and increase frequency when flowers appear, maintaining consistent moisture at the roots. Container-grown plants will require daily watering. For best results, use a high-potash fertilizer with each alternate watering as soon as fruits begin to form.
Harvest tomatoes when they are ripe on the vine for best flavor. Pick the fruit by gently snapping the stem just above the calyx. Do not store tomatoes in the refrigerator, as this will affect their flavor. In the fall, harvest any remaining fruit before the cold weather sets in and allow it to ripen indoors, preferably in a bowl rather than on a windowsill to avoid the risk of rot.
