Tomato : Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato

Indeterminate

Cherokee Purple seeds, originating from Tennessee, are thought to have been passed down from Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe. This heirloom tomato variety consistently ranks very high in taste tests. Slice Cherokee Purple tomato for rich, dark color and unmatched sweet, rich taste on sandwiches or in salads. The tomato is a beautiful dusky pink with a deep, rich-red interior. Cherokee Purple grows well in most regions of the U.S. Let the fruit ripen on the vine for the best flavor. This one is a consistent taste test winner at tomato fests around the country. For an heirloom, it is a good producer. In our Alabama test garden, where conditions are ideal and the season is long, we harvest and average of 20 or more fruits from each plant. Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart.

Solanaceae Lycopersicon lycopersicum

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Tomato: Slicing, Black/Purple

Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato

"Black" slicing tomatoes are not actually black, but ranging in colors from deep purple, dark mahogany, and even brownish-blue. The dark range of colors appears to be encouraged by a higher acid and mineral content in the soil or higher temperatures. Black tomatoes are well known for their complex and earthy flavors.

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Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 85-90 (Spring/Summer)
Growing Habit: Indeterminate
Hardiness: Tender

Tomatoes are not at all hardy and need warm weather to grow well. They can't stand any frost.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: Mid-Season
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot

Tomatoes are warm-season plants and should be planted only after danger of frost has passed. Temperature is an important factor in the production of tomatoes, which are particularly sensitive to low night temperatures.

If you have a very long growing season you can direct sow them outside.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F

It is important that the soil be sufficiently warm (60° F minimum) for planting Tomatoes. If it is too cold they will simply sit there without growing and may even be permanently retarded.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool, Warm, Hot)

Full sun. Tomatoes need a warm sheltered site and a minimum of 6 hours of sun daily. Any less and they won’t produce very well.
Water: Moderate

These deep-rooted plants are quite drought tolerant and don't really need a lot of water once they are established. In fact, keeping them dry encourages strong root growth. However you will get more and larger fruit if you keep the soil evenly moist once they start flowering and bearing fruit.

Drip irrigation works well with tomatoes, as it keeps the soil evenly moist but the plants stay dry.

Uneven watering may cause Blossom End Rot or cracking.
Feeder: Heavy

High nitrogen. Moderate phosphorus. High potassium. Tomatoes are quite heavy feeders. They have deep roots that may go down 5', but most of their feeder roots are in the top 2'.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, High heat
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes, but will need a large one, like a half wine barrel

Tomatoes can be quite successful when grown in containers. Your container should be fairly large, at least 24-48" deep and 18-36" in diameter for most varieties. Tomatoes have somewhat deep roots and larger pots will give them the room they need to grow and gather nutrients. Plants in containers will need to be watered more frequently than plants in the ground or even in raised beds, as sun on the pot will heat the soil causing the moisture to evaporate more rapidly. Water them regularly, but do not to let them sit in water. It is crucial that your container drains well, as you want to avoid rotting the roots. Selecting a container with drainage holes and then lining the bottom with rocks or gravel can help keep your tomatoes properly drained. Use a fertile soil mix and water regularly. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so it is best to fertilize regularly with fish emulsion or seaweed extract. You can do this once a month or every other week at half strength. A smaller pot will require even more frequent watering and feeding. Be sure to provide access to full sun, as tomatoes are a heat-loving plant. Many slicing tomatoes can grow to be 5-7' tall (although in a container they may be shorter) and will need adequate support, so put your containers near a fence or plan on having a structure for them to grow on.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Deep purple
Fruit Size: 2.5 - 3.0"
Plant Height: 60.0 - 84.0"
Plant Diameter: 24.0 - 36.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance: -
Taste Profile: Wine-like flavor.
Rotation Group: Fruits: Solanaceae + Cucurbits

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Tomato : Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato

Indeterminate

Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato

Basics