Tomato Blush: cultivation & care of the Artisan Blush Tiger tomato
The ‘Blush Tiger’ tomato variety bears enticingly coloured and irresistibly juicy elongated cherry tomatoes. Below is everything you need to know about this unique cherry tomato.
Among the rich variety of striped tomatoes, the yellow ‘Blush’ tomato truly stands out. Here you will find our introduction to this unique tomato and guide on cultivating it.
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‘Blush’ tomato: profile
| Other names | 'Artisan Blush Tiger' |
| Fruit | Salad tomato; orange-yellow in colour with light red stripes |
| Flavour | Juicy, fruity, sweet |
| Ripening time | Mid-early |
| Growth | Indeterminate, up to 2m in height |
| Location | Greenhouse, outdoors, in tubs |
Origin and history of the ‘Blush’ tomato
The ‘Blush’ tomato variety, also referred to as the ‘Artisan Blush Tiger’, was bred in California by Fred Hempel around 2011. Hempel, who also created other tiger and striped tomato varieties such as ‘Maglia Rosa’ and the ‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’, let his son pick out the parent tomatoes that would go on to create this now beloved variety.
Taste and other properties
‘Blush’ is a yellow tomato variety that grows about 150 to 200cm high. These plants tend to be a bit weaker and need to be given a strong to support to thrive. ‘Blush’ tomatoes are medium-early ripening tomatoes that begin to ripen from the end of July to early August. ‘Blush’ tomatoes grow 2 to 3cm wide and 5 to 7cm long, which gives them an almost plum shape. The blush tiger tomato is golden yellow with light red stripes. They taste fruity and sweet, turning juicy and soft when fully ripe. This striped tomato is an heirloom variety, which means that you can save harvested ‘Blush’ tomato seeds to cultivate new plants.
‘Blush’ tomatoes: cultivation and care
‘Blush’ tomato plants grow well in a variety of locations: in airy greenhouses, in tubs, or outdoors with good rain cover. These tomato plants are generally robust, but the fruits tend to burst open when it rains. So, keep the plants in low humidity to reduce fruit bursting and the risk of disease. All in all, a sunny location with well-drained, humus-rich soil is perfect for this tomato plant and will promote an abundant yield.
Tip: Plants such as basil (Ocimum basilicum) make a good companion plant for the blush tomato and can also repel tomato pests.
You can move your blush tomato plants outdoors from mid-May after the threat of frost has passed. In cooler climates, make sure to harden off your tomato plants before relocating outdoors. To do this, simply move your tomato plants outdoors for a gradually longer period of time for 7 to 10 days before planting.
When growing blush tomato plants in a tub, we recommend using a pre-fertilised potting soil such as our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost. After planting, make sure to tie the tomato plant to a strong support and water it well.
- Perfect for tomatoes & other vegetables such as chillies, courgettes & more
- For strong & healthy plant growth as well as an abundant vegetable harvest
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
‘Blush’ tomatoes can be cultivated with two or three shoots. As the tomato plant is growing, leave two of the lowest side shoots in addition to the main shoot. Once selected, remove all other side shoots, and prune your tomato plant regularly. Pruning tomato plants allows them to channel their energy to the main shoots, and help to produce healthier, tastier fruit.
Once your ‘Blush’ tomato plant begins to fruit, usually in July, its nutrient requirements increase rapidly. At this point, apply fertiliser for the first time: The easiest way to do this is with a liquid fertiliser like our Plantura Liquid Tomato Food.
‘Blush’ tomato plants tend to experience blossom end rot more often than other varieties. This is caused by a calcium deficiency which can be prevented by, for example, adding lime when planting with a further application in July. Properly watering and mulching tomato plants also helps their overall health, and is an important for growing in a greenhouse, outdoors or in tubs.
Tip: Watering exclusively in the morning also reduces blossom end rot. Due to evaporation during the day, calcium reaches the top of the fruit with the water flow – this does not happen when watering in the evening.
Harvesting and using ‘Blush’ tomatoes
‘Blush’ tomatoes will begin to ripen between late July and early August and can be harvested up until the first frost. While this cherry tomato can be enjoyed freshly picked from the vine, its fruity-sweet taste lends itself well to salads and snacks. When harvesting in large quantities, it is worth cooking the tiny tomatoes into a tasty soup, home-made ketchup, or pasta sauce.
Another beautiful striped tomato variety is the ‘Tigerella’ tomato. This article will tell you all need to know about this high-yielding heirloom beauty.
