The Inca Jewels tomato is a productive and flavorful variety for home gardeners. Its compact growth habit makes it well-suited for various garden sizes, including container cultivation. This tomato provides abundant harvests suitable for both fresh consumption and culinary processing.
Unique Characteristics of Inca Jewels Tomato
The Inca Jewels tomato is a “Roma” style tomato, recognized for its distinctive plum shape and rich red color when ripe. These tomatoes are plump, juicy, and balance sweetness with acidity.
This variety is bred for heavy yields. Inca Jewels plants are determinate, meaning they grow to a certain height, typically around 3 to 3.5 feet, and then stop growing.
Growing Inca Jewels Tomatoes
Inca Jewels tomatoes thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun leads to better fruit production. For container growing, ensure the chosen pot is a minimum of 18 to 20 inches in diameter and 18 inches high to provide adequate root space.
For healthy growth, Inca Jewels tomatoes prefer rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.6 and 7.0. Incorporate well-aged manure or compost into the soil to improve fertility and structure. If planting in containers, use a high-quality potting mix, as garden soil can be too heavy and may contain pests or diseases.
Start Inca Jewels seeds indoors approximately six to eight weeks before outdoor night temperatures stay above 50-55°F (10-13°C). Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a seed-starting mix and maintain a warm temperature of around 80°F (27°C) for germination. Once seedlings are about two inches tall, transplant them into individual four-inch pots, keeping them at around 70°F (21°C).
When transplanting outdoors, space plants about three feet apart. Bury seedlings several inches deeper to encourage a stronger root system. Consistent watering is key; aim for one to two inches of water per week, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged. Container-grown plants may require daily watering, especially during hot weather, as their soil dries out more quickly. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Fertilize container plants every other week with a low-nitrogen fertilizer for strong growth and good yields. For in-ground plants, a balanced organic fertilizer at planting, supplemented with compost or fish emulsion when flowering, is beneficial. Despite their determinate nature, providing strong three-foot stakes or tall wire cages at planting time is recommended to support the heavy fruit load.
Harvesting and Culinary Uses
Inca Jewels tomatoes mature approximately 75 days after transplanting. Pick the fruit when it is fully ripe. Harvested tomatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator, as this can negatively impact their flavor and texture.
These “Roma” style tomatoes are suitable for fresh eating. They are also excellent for making rich, thick, homemade sauces due to their meaty flesh. Beyond sauces, Inca Jewels tomatoes are excellent for grilling, canning, or freezing whole for later use.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Gardeners may encounter common challenges when growing tomatoes, including blossom end rot. This condition manifests as dark, leathery, sunken areas on the blossom end of the fruit and is caused by insufficient calcium uptake or inconsistent watering. Ensuring consistent soil moisture through regular watering and mulching can help prevent this.
Fruit cracking or splitting occurs with rapid changes in soil moisture, especially after dry spells followed by heavy watering. Harvesting tomatoes showing some color before heavy rains can reduce the likelihood of cracking. Providing consistent water and avoiding periods of drought followed by sudden saturation helps maintain fruit integrity.
Tomato plants are susceptible to pests and diseases. Aphids, tiny soft-bodied insects, can cause leaves to curl and deform, but can often be managed by hand-crushing or blasting them off with water. Diseases like early blight, characterized by dark spots on leaves, can be mitigated by avoiding overhead irrigation and ensuring good air circulation.