tomato (standard) 'Shirley' F1
tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Shirley' F1
This award-winning F1 hybrid tomato produces large trusses of perfectly formed, greenback-free, red fruits. 'Shirley' is a popular, early-maturing cordon variety,...
approx 15 seeds
£2.99
In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)
8.5cm pot
£6.99
available to order from spring
9cm pot | grafted plant
£8.99
available to order from spring
2 + 1 FREE 8.5cm pots
£13.98
£20.97
available to order from spring
1
Plant description
This award-winning F1 hybrid tomato produces large trusses of perfectly formed, greenback-free, red fruits. 'Shirley' is a popular, early-maturing cordon variety, which is suitable for growing in both the garden (in milder areas), or in an unheated greenhouse. It has very tasty fruits and shows very good resistance to some of the common tomato diseases such as tobacco mosaic virus, cladosporium and fusarium wilt.
Eventual height & spread
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness
Frost tender
How to care for tomato Shirley F1:
Tie in to supports and pinch out the sideshoots as the plant develops. Keep well watered and feed weekly with a tomato feed once the flowers form. Keep water levels in the soil consistent to prevent blossom end rot and split fruit.
When plants reach the roof of the greenhouse, pinch out the growing tip above the top truss so the plant concentrates on ripening fruit rather than growing greenery. Restrict the plant to six trusses for better quality fruits.
Sow basil among your tomatoes as a companion plant: the scent deters whitefly and it's handy for harvesting to complement your tomatoes perfectly in Mediterranean cooking.
When plants reach the roof of the greenhouse, pinch out the growing tip above the top truss so the plant concentrates on ripening fruit rather than growing greenery. Restrict the plant to six trusses for better quality fruits.
Sow basil among your tomatoes as a companion plant: the scent deters whitefly and it's handy for harvesting to complement your tomatoes perfectly in Mediterranean cooking.
Sowing instructions:
From January to March, sow in a frost-free greenhouse or windowsill, potting on seedlings individually as they grow. Once all danger of frost has passed, plant into greenhouse borders or into growbags, or harden plants off and plant outside in rich soil in a sunny spot.
GOES WELL WITH
Buying vegetable plants
If you just want to grow a few vegetables or have suffered losses with early sowings, buying plants is a great way to play catch-up. Buying plants also allows you to grow vegetables if you do not have the facilities to raise them from seed yourself or whe
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