Ruthje Cocktail Tomato

A distinctive German-bred tomato variety prized for its attractive red, heart-shaped fruits and outstanding sweetness. Ruthje produces flavourful cocktail-sized tomatoes with firm, juicy flesh and a beautifully balanced taste, making them ideal for fresh salads, snacking, and serving straight from the vine. Known for its excellent flavour and productive growth, this variety is a wonderful choice for gardeners seeking gourmet-quality tomatoes with a traditional, home-grown taste.

Sowing:
Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost in warm soil (21–27°C). Sow seeds 0.6 cm deep and keep evenly moist until germination. Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light to encourage strong, compact growth.

Planting:
Transplant in Greenhouse after all risk of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain above 10°C. Space plants 45–60 cm apart and provide sturdy support with stakes or cages, as plants benefit from support when carrying clusters of fruit. Plant deeply, burying part of the stem, to encourage strong root development.

Harvesting:
Harvest when fruits develop their characteristic bright red colour and feel slightly yielding to gentle pressure. For the best sweetness and fullest flavour, allow tomatoes to ripen fully on the vine. Pick regularly throughout the season to encourage continued fruit production.

Fertility Recommendation:
Prefers fertile, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer at transplanting, then switch to a tomato fertilizer higher in potassium once flowering and fruiting begin. Maintain consistent soil moisture to support even fruit development and reduce the risk of splitting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.

Seeds per packet: 20