Tomato (Patio Bush) - Solanum lycopersicum 'Totem' - British Grown

Grow red cherry tomatoes from this compact bush tomato plant. Can be grown outside in summer, but otherwise should be grown in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill.

Grow your own tomatoes on your windowsill, greenhouse or sheltered sunny outdoor spot! This variety will give you tasty red cherry tomatoes. It is a compact, bushy variety suited to growing in a container, on a patio or hanging basket. Tomato plants are often the first cropping plant people grow, but they can be challenging! In the UK, it's usually best to grow them indoors or in a greenhouse, as they cannot stand the cold, and you may need to pollinate them by hand using a paintbrush!

Scientific Name
Solanum lycopersicum 'Totem' (sun plant, wolf peach, variety: Totem)

Common Name
Tomato Plant

Origin
Wild tomatoes originate from South America, including Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos; cultivation began in Mexico.

Pruning Tips
Remove side shoots as they grow. Tomato plants grow several 'trusses', where clusters of flowers grow off the stem. Indoors, pinch off the top when you have seven trusses; outdoors, when you have four.

Wildlife Value
When outdoors, will provide pollen for bees and other pollinating insects; indoors you'll have to pollinate by hand using a paintbrush.

Positioning
Sheltered, full sun positioning is needed when growing outdoors; it's a good idea to at least start indoors or in a greenhouse, for which you also need a sunny position.

Water
Water regularly; the soil should be evenly moist

Soil
Soil should be well-draining but moisture retentive.

Food
Feed every two weeks with a balanced fertiliser; switch to one high in potassium once the first fruits appear.

Pet-safe
No; leaves and unripe fruit of tomato plants can have adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Sprouts Top Tips
Tomato plants are adapted to much warmer climes than in the UK; while some varieties have adapted better, the best way to guarantee success is by starting off indoors, in a bright window or greenhouse. Once the risk of frost has passed, you can move your tomatoes outside to get more sun, helping the fruit to ripen. If it flowers whilst indoors, you can pollinate it yourself by using a paintbrush to gently brush pollen from each flower into others.