Kakao – (F1) Tomato Seed

Unique appearance and flavor.
Kakao has the black tomato look and flavor in a smaller package. Round fruits are mostly between 4½-5½ oz. Soft flesh and a savory flavor, almost like it has been sea-salted. Distinctive look is suitable for branding by variety. High resistance to Fusarium wilt (race 1) and tomato mosaic virus. Indeterminate. Avg. 10,900 seeds/oz. Packet: 15 seeds.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Solanum lycopersicum
CULTURE: Sow seeds 1/4" deep in desired medium 6–8 weeks prior to transplanting. Maintain 80–90°F (27-32°C) soil temperature. When first true leaves just show, transplant into cell-type containers or blocks. 2" or larger containers produce larger, stronger root systems; 4" blocks are the standard. Grow plants at 66-68°F (19–20°C) day and night temperature. After cotyledons (first leaves) have expanded, fertilize with a complete nutrient solution (EC 1.0, pH 5.8) or equivalent as needed to keep plants dark green and healthy; increase EC as plants grow. When transplanting into the greenhouse, maintain 73–77°F (23–25°C) day and night temperature for a few days after transplanting to promote rapid vegetative growth and root establishment. Once fruit begins to set, lower night temperature to 62–66°F (17–19°C) and keep a daytime temperature of 68–72°F (20–22°C).
TRELLISING: We recommend pruning the plants to 1–2 stems and trellising them up a string.
HARVEST: Fully vine-ripen fruit only for local retailing or personal use. Pick fruit less ripe the further the distance and the longer the time between harvest and the consumer.
DISEASES AND PESTS: Use crop rotation or new media to reduce soilborne disease problems. Schedule regular release of beneficial insects to control pests.
DAYS TO MATURITY: From transplanting.
Transplants: Avg. 950 plants/1,000 seeds.
SEED SPECS: Seeds/oz.: Avg. 11,100.
PACKET: 15 seeds.