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Jessie Keith
Solanaceae
LYCOPERSICON esculentum 'Granny Cantrell's German'
Granny Cantrell's German Tomato, Tomato
The large, somewhat flattened, red-pink fruits of this tomato are meaty, rich, and full flavored with a pleasant, assertive tartness. It was for decades the only variety grown by Lettie Cantrell of West Liberty, Kentucky, who originally obtained seeds from a soldier returning from Germany during the Second World War. In 2000, Lettie shared seeds with Gary Millwood of Louisville, Kentucky, who began distributing them to gardeners and seed companies. The fruits are borne on indeterminate vines approximately 70 to 80 days from sowing, and are excellent for canning, sauces, juicing or fresh eating.
Plant tomatoes in full sun and fertile, well-drained, slightly acid garden loam after all danger of frost has passed. Seedlings may be started indoors under grow-lights several weeks ahead of time, and should be hardened off before planting outdoors. Set them deeply in the ground for best establishment; the main stem will form roots beneath the soil’s surface. Indeterminate types such as this should be staked, trellised or grown in tomato cages to contain their rambling stems.
These veggies (technically, fruits) are heavy feeders, and it is important to provide them with regular water and nutrients. Be sure to choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes, and avoid excessive watering as this can result in cracking of fruit and diminished flavor. Best production and flavor occurs when both days and nights are warm. Tomatoes become tough and less flavorful in cooler temperatures, and thus should not be stored in the refrigerator. In semi-tropical climates, they may even be grown as a winter crop, as long as temperatures remain favorable.
For more detailed information about the care, pests and diseases, and history of tomatoes, refer to the general entry for the species (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the Learn2Grow 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
2'-8' / 0.6m - 2.4m
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
Indeterminate
Mexico, Central America, South America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Spring, Summer, Fall
Showy
Yellow
Red, Pink
Green, Dark Green
Yes
Single
No
Medium
Matte
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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