Tomato Pamplemousse du Grand-Père - organic seeds

Tomato Pamplemousse du Grand-Père

The Pamplemousse du Grand-Père is an exceptional French tomato variety, ideal for gardeners seeking a flavorful and productive plant. This tomato produces large, ribbed fruits that are slightly flattened. The skin and flesh exhibit a beautiful orange color, tinged with subtle pink hues. The flesh is meaty, juicy, and sweet, without any acidity, offering a delightful taste. This variety ripens faster than the classic Ananas tomato, making it an excellent choice for regions with a shorter growing season. It is a mid-season tomato with indeterminate growth.

Cultivation Tips for the Pamplemousse du Grand-Père
Sow the seeds indoors from mid-February to late March or early April. Ensure the temperature is at least 20°C, ideally 24°C. Maintain a warm, slightly humid environment with regular watering to promote healthy seedlings.

Once the seedlings have 2 to 4 leaves, transplant them into pots and keep them in a warm environment of 15 to 20°C. After the last frost, plant the seedlings in the ground with a spacing of 50 x 80 cm between plants. If you live in a cooler region, such as north of the Loire, consider growing the tomatoes under glass for added protection.

For indeterminate tomato varieties like the Pamplemousse du Grand-Père, prune the shoots that grow in the leaf axils to encourage the growth of healthy, high-quality fruits. For determinate or bush tomatoes, pruning is not necessary; instead, use mulch and guide the plant for better growth.

Maintenance and Disease Prevention for the Pamplemousse du Grand-Père
Tomato plants require warmth and are susceptible to diseases, especially mildew. Water the plants regularly, ensuring the leaves remain dry. Preventively spray them with horsetail extract, nettle brew, or seaweed powder (lithothamnium) to prevent fungal diseases.

It's important to care for the plants by providing them with sufficient nutrients, such as using a natural fertilizer like the Pur'Mel 3 mix. Dilute the fertilizer with 10% water for preventive use and spray the leaves every two weeks. If you encounter mildew, dilute the fertilizer with 30% water and spray the leaves twice a week until the symptoms disappear.

Harvest and Health Benefits of the Pamplemousse du Grand-Père
The tomatoes of this variety are ripe when they easily detach from the plant. Early varieties are typically harvested about 2 months after planting, mid-season varieties after approximately 2.5 months, and late varieties after about 3 months.

The Pamplemousse du Grand-Père tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium, making them not only delicious but also offering numerous health benefits. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against the harmful effects of UV radiation. Additionally, vitamin C supports a strong immune system and better absorption of iron and calcium, while potassium helps regulate blood pressure.