Orion's Belt
10-15 tomato seeds
£4.95
Out of stock
Orion's Belt Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)
The 'Orion's Belt' tomato variety is a fascinating and relatively new dwarf tomato with unique characteristics that make it popular among home gardeners.
Dwarf Habit: As a dwarf variety, it's a compact plant, typically growing to a height of 50-70 cm. This makes it an excellent choice for container gardening, balconies, patios, and smaller garden spaces.
Unique Fruit Appearance: The name "Orion's Belt" comes from its striking fruit. The tomatoes are visually stunning, with a variegated or "tabby" peel. They display a complex mix of colours, including purple, red, green, and metallic yellow or olive stripes.
Fruit Size and Shape: The fruits are generally medium-sized, ranging from 40 to 80 grams and are round to oblong or plum-shaped.
Flavour Profile: The taste is sweet, with some notes of spiciness or tang, the flesh is meaty and dense, with a good, juicy texture.
Determinate Growth: This variety is determinate, meaning it grows to a set size, produces its fruit in a concentrated period, and then the plant's growth essentially stops. This is a benefit for gardeners who don't want to constantly prune and prefer a single, heavy harvest.
Origin: 'Orion's Belt' is an American-bred variety, from the breeder Blane Horton. It is a segregant from a cross involving 'Cherokee Tiger'.
Foliage: The plant has a compact habit with regular, crinkled (rugose) leaves that are often a unique chartreuse green colour.
Growing Information:
Sunlight and Temperature: Like most tomatoes, it requires a warm, sunny, and sheltered location for best results.
Maturity: It is a mid-season variety, with fruits typically ripening around 120 days from seed sowing
Support: Although a dwarf, the branches can become heavy with fruit, so some support, like a small stake or cage, is recommended to prevent them from breaking or falling over.
Use: 'Orion's Belt' is excellent for fresh eating, salads, or salsas. Its beauty also makes it an ornamental addition to the garden.
Orion's Belt tomato is a highly ornamental and productive dwarf variety known for its multi-coloured, striped fruit and sweet, rich flavour.It's a great choice for container gardeners and anyone looking to add a visually interesting and delicious tomato to their harvest.