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Solanaceae
LYCOPERSICON esculentum 'Eva Purple Ball'
Eva Purple Ball Tomato, Tomato
The heirloom tomato 'Eva Purple Ball' produces medium-sized, cherry-red fruits on vigorous, humidity-tolerant, indeterminate vines. Harvest of the flavorful, round, 3-inch (7.5 cm) fruits begins about 70 days after seedlings are planted out, and continues until cold weather sets in. Production may diminish in hot weather. The tomatoes make good "slicers" for sandwiches and salads. This open-pollinated variety grows true to type from saved garden seed. It was brought to the United States from Germany in the late twentieth century.
Tomatoes are short-lived tender perennials that are usually grown as annuals. Their medium- to dark-green, hairy, compound leaves have a strong fragrance and are not to be eaten. Mature plants produce distinctive yellow flowers, which are bee pollinated. These are followed by succulent tomato fruits, which are technically berries.
Tomatoes require full sun and fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Seeds germinate poorly in cool soil, so plants are best started indoors several weeks before the last frost date. Harden off seedlings before transplanting them to the garden. Set them deeply in the ground for best establishment; the main stem will form roots beneath the soil’s surface. Indeterminate, vining types such as 'Eva Purple Ball' should be staked, trellised or grown in tomato cages to contain their rambling stems.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so it is important to provide them with regular water and nutrients. Be sure to choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes. Overwatering can result in cracking of fruit and diminished flavor. Best production and flavor occurs when both days and nights are warm. Tomato fruits become tough and less flavorful when subjected to cooler temperatures, and should not be stored in the refrigerator for this reason. In warm, frost-free regions they may be grown as a winter crop.
For more detailed information about tomato pests and diseases, refer to the general entry for the species (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the Learn2Grow.com plant database.
12 - 1
11 - 15
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Indeterminate
Mexico, Central America, South America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Yellow
Red, Rose, Crimson
Green, Dark Green
Dark Green
Yes
Single
No
Medium
Matte
Semi-Evergreen
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
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