The Blue Beauty Tomato is part of our Indigo series. These extraordinary blue, almost black tomatoes will be some of the most unique varieties you have ever grown. They were developed with traditional selection and breeding techniques at Oregon State University, beginning in the 1960s from crossing cultivated tomatoes and wild species from Chile and the Galapagos Islands. Young fruits when exposed to sunlight have indigo-purple skin from the pigment Anthocyanin, naturally occurring in blueberries, which is a powerful and beneficial antioxidant. Blue Beauty Tomato fruits are ready to harvest when the skin turns bright rosy red on the bottom. Shoulders are indigo shaded and the fruit is soft to the touch. Shoulders start out sapphire blue, darkening to a deep purple-red as they ripen. Abundant amounts of 6-8 oz meaty slicing tomatoes with clusters of fruits hold very well on the vine having great crack and sunburn resistance.

20 seeds

PLANTING

Solanum lycopersicum

Indeterminate

Germination:7-14 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 70-85F.

Seed Sowing Depth:1/4 deep

StartingIndoors:6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 75-80F soil temperatures. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot,thin to the strongest seedling, or use the 20 Row seedling flat, transplanting into individual pots whenseedlings get their 3rd set of leaves.Fertilize the seedlings every 7-10 days with a liquid or water-soluble fertilizer, diluted to of the suggested measurement. Transplant out after the last frost. Space 24-36″ apart

Sowing Outdoors:Only in areas with very long growing seasons. Sow after the last frost.

Harvest:When fruit is red (or color of the variety planted) and firm.

Tips: The Blue Beauty Tomato should be planted in fertile soil, amended with compost, mulch, and provide even moisture. Plant deeper than they were growing in the containers as it makes a stronger roots system. Apply a light compost tea every few weeks. Do not apply excessive nitrogen, which can promote excessive foliage and poor fruit set.