Märchenglanz

Märchenglanz Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Märchenglanz' tomato variety is a fascinating and visually appealing tomato, part of the "Märchen" (Fairytale) series developed in Germany by Kleverhof (Tim Unverhau and Lutz Unverhau). Its name translates to "Fairy Tale Shine," which perfectly describes its appearance.

• Origin: Bred by Kleverhof in Germany.

• Appearance: This is a truly unique-looking tomato. The fruits ripen from green with dark purple (anthocyanin) shoulders to a striking pink with dark purple necks or black/blue shoulders. The skin is notably very shiny. When fully ripe, they can be deep black, shiny, red below with yellow, orange, and green stripes – making them incredibly colourful and beautiful. The flesh inside is typically pink.

• Size: It produces large round cherry tomatoes, usually weighing around 20-45 grams each. However, they can depart from this typical sizing and be a bit larger up to 150g and less regular, making them more of a small salad or cocktail tomato than a true cherry.

• Flavour: They have a tart-aromatic tomato flavour with an exotic aroma. Unlike some of the other "Fairytale" varieties which might be sweeter, 'Märchenglanz' is noted for its tartness. Growers recommend harvesting them fully ripe to appreciate their unique taste.

• Growth Habit: It is an indeterminate vining tomato.This means the plant will continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit throughout the entire growing season until frost.7 It can be quite vigorous.

• Maturity: Mid-season, typically maturing in 110-120 days from seed sowing.

• Resilience: A significant advantage of 'Märchenglanz' is its resistance to late blight and other diseases. It's also strong-growing and tolerant.

• Productivity: It's considered a variety with an excellent yield, producing a good number of fruits throughout the season.

Growing Tips:

• Support: As an indeterminate vine, 'Märchenglanz' will require strong staking, caging, or trellising to support its vigorous growth and heavy fruit load.

• Sunlight: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and to encourage the vibrant anthocyanin coloration on the shoulders.

• Pruning: While indeterminate varieties can be left to grow large, pruning side shoots  is often recommended to manage plant size and direct energy into fruit production.

• Container Growing: It can be grown in pots, but given its vigorous nature, a larger pot (10-15 litre) is recommended for good production. A sheltered location is also advised if growing in pots outdoors.

'Märchenglanz' is a fantastic choice for gardeners who appreciate visually stunning tomatoes with a unique, tart, and aromatic flavour. Its disease resistance also makes it a more forgiving variety for those who have struggled with tomato blights in the past.