Description

Tomato Principe Borghese (Solanum lycopersicum) is an Italian heirloom, prized for its small, plum-shaped fruits that are ideal for drying, roasting, and preserving. The fruits average 4–5 cm long, with thick flesh, low moisture content, and intense tomato flavour. This determinate variety grows to a manageable 90–120 cm, making it perfect for both open ground and container planting with minimal support.

It produces abundant clusters of tomatoes over a concentrated harvest period (roughly 80-90 days) and is renowned for its disease resistance, drought tolerance, and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for South African summer gardens, especially in drier inland regions.

 

Benefits

Reliable and Drought Tolerant

• Excellent performer in low-rainfall and hot inland zones.
  
• Requires minimal water once established and shows resistance to cracking and common tomato diseases.

Pollinator & Insectary 

• Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, supporting better pollination and natural pest control.
  
• Excellent when planted with insectary species like alyssum or calendula for ecological balance.
  

Perfect for Preserving and Drying

• Thick, low-moisture flesh makes it ideal for sun-drying, oven-drying, or preserving in oil.
  
• Retains flavour and texture in sauces, pestos, and chutneys.
  

Nutritional and Medicinal 

• Contains vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene – supports immune function, heart health, and cell protection.
  
• Low in calories and rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, beneficial for digestion and weight control.
  

• Lycopene content increases when the tomatoes are dried or cooked, offering enhanced health benefits.
  

  
  

How To Use

Tomato Principe Borghese flourishes under the following conditions:

• Season: Spring/Summer
• Temperature: 18-30°C
• Germinate: 7-10 days
• Depth: 5 mm
• Spacing: 20x20 cm
• Harvest: 80-90 days
• Height: Fruit 4-5 cm / Plant 90–120 cm
• Flowering Season: Mid to late summer
• Exposure: Full sun (6–8 hours daily)

Ideal Growing Environment

• Prefers a well drained substrate with amendments or pre-made soil containing all the necessary base additives. Ideal pH 6.0–6.8.
  
• Water deeply once or twice weekly; allow soil to dry slightly between watering. Mulch to retain moisture.
  
• Apply balanced organic fertiliser during early growth; switch to high-potassium and phosphorus feed at flowering.
  
• Moderate humidity (around 50–70%) with good airflow to reduce risk of fungal diseases.
  
• Excellent for warm, dry summer regions of South Africa such as the Karoo, Limpopo, and Gauteng.
• Light staking or caging is recommended for best productivity, though often not strictly necessary.
• Tomatoes and cannabis requirements are very similar.
• Benefits from being planted alongside basil, marigolds, borage, onions, garlic, carrots, lettuce.
• Intercropping: Pair with basil, marigolds, or clover for pest control and soil health.
• Crop Rotation: Follow with peas, clover, or lettuce. Avoid same family (nightshades or brassicas) in the same bed for 3 years.
• Soil Rejuvenation: Plant after nitrogen fixers to restore nutrients. Namely red clover, white clover, lucerne (alfalfa), peas greenfeast.
• Avoid planting with potatoes, fennel, and cabbage family crops.
• Marigolds and basil effectively deter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies.

 

For placement of large orders contact us at: office@greenhouston.co.za