Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)

Tasmanian Chocolate Dwarf Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum): Among the dwarf tomatoes we tested, this variety has proven to be very satisfying due to several characteristics. The plant grows to just under a meter tall, and the berries are a good size for this type of tomato, weighing up to 200 grams. The shape is rounded, slightly ribbed, the flesh firm and moderately watery, and the flavor is balanced between acidic and sweet.
Production isn't exceptional in quantity, but it's made up for in fruit weight. The color is distinctive, reddish-brown with numerous hues; sunny exposure helps develop the anthocyanins that give it color. We discovered another important characteristic almost by chance in the first year of cultivation: during this phase, each variety is grown in an isolated garden where it is the only one of the species, to avoid phytosanitary problems and ensure there isn't excessive hybridization. Since this is a very early variety, we harvested very early, "abandoning" the now exhausted garden to itself, that is, without eliminating any more wild plants or performing routine checks. Irrigation remains in place because there are other species (from a different family) in the row. The surprise was the plant's exceptional resistance to competition from spontaneous plants: these often lead to pest infestations, exposure to fungal diseases, as well as the absorption of part of the irrigation water. This tomato continued to produce peacefully. We harvested a second time among weeds that completely hid the plants. The berries were well-formed and had a good flavor. We were amazed.
It will give you a lot of satisfaction.
Bushy habit, it does not require pruning (pruning of the axillary shoots) or supports, it does not suffer from blossom end rot.
Like all dwarf plants, it is perfect for pots, small beds, and for those forced to grow in greenhouses, where it adapts well to forcing and takes up very little space.
The dwarf tomatoes you will find here come from selections of traditional varieties, they cannot be defined as ancient but clearly they are all reproducible, no F1 hybrids.
Sow from February to June, 65 days after transplanting, it is a variety suitable for cold climates.
Attention: this variety is not only determinate but dwarf.

Tomato development is divided into two categories: determinate, indeterminate, and dwarf.

Determinate: the aerial part (green) reaches a height defined by selection, the "vigour" (growth of the leaf apparatus) is limited.
Advantages: no need to prune the axillary shoots (checkering), simpler supports, depending on the ecotype a central one may suffice.
A smaller foliage means less exposure to fungal diseases, among the most common in tomatoes.
Disadvantages: Significantly lower yield compared to indeterminate ecotypes. Limited production of female shoots, the axillary shoots that can be transplanted for a longer harvest.

Undetermined:   Ecotypes with this characteristic develop a large green part, sometimes reaching several meters, the biomass produced is considerable.
Advantages: Massive, long-term production. Possibility of using "female" shoots (axillary shoots) to expand crops.
Disadvantages: They require pruning for optimal production.
supports suitable for the plant's growth are required.
If left untreated they are more susceptible to fungal diseases.

Dwarf: Often grouped together, especially in recent years, with determinate varieties. In reality, they are a separate category that is gaining popularity recently, with the emergence of numerous new selections. They have a bushy growth habit, a dense aerial part, and a very short height (between 60 and 80 cm). They do not require support.
Advantages: Can be grown in small spaces, perfect for pots or small home greenhouses where temperatures don't allow outdoor cultivation. Very little maintenance is required; routine maintenance after planting is limited to harvesting.
Great aesthetic impact, dwarf plants are very decorative.
Disadvantages: The berries are usually smaller than the variety from which they were selected, although there are some that reach 500 grams, but the weight will be at the expense of the quantity.
Limited production.