{"product_id":"tomato-seeds-mandarin-cross-kz","title":"Tomato Seed Packet - Mandarin Cross","description":"\u003cp\u003e80 Days to maturity (from transplant). \u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e. Mandarin Cross Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, salad tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The fruits are crack-resistant and have thick, sweet, tasty flesh that melts in your mouth. Mandarin Cross flesh is also firm, making them a good slicing fruit. The plant produces rich orange-colored fruit that resembles a mandarin. ~ 6,800 seeds\/ounce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!--split--\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003c!--attr--\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003cem\u003eSolanum lycoperscium\u003c\/em\u003e (previously \u003cem\u003eLycopersicon esculentum\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual: Not intended to overwinter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 (from transplant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7-10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.25 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect Sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart Indoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTomato Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Salad - Medium round tomatoes golf ball to tennis ball sized.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24-36 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36-96 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indeterminate - Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-type plants that sprawl (requiring a cage or trellis to support them) and continue to grow throughout the season. Indeterminate tomato plants will continue to produce tomatoes for the rest of the season, so you can harvest continually. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid - Ready to harvest 70 to 80 days from transplant. Tricky to get a tomato by the 4th of July with these varieties. They are good mid-summer producers for most USDA Zones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warmer (70-85 F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65-85 F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePests and Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e Common pests known to harm tomato plants, in general, include the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, flea beetles, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies. Also, watch for common diseases such as blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker\/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Most of these can be prevented by maintaining a regular watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. Regularly check your plants for pest damage throughout the season. For treating pest and disease problems, we recommend using an organic neem-based product.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMandarin Cross Japanese Tomato Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMandarine Cross Japanese Tomato Flavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTomato Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Salads, fresh eating, small slicing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!--endattr--\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Mandarin Cross Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin your Mandarin Cross tomatoes by sowing seeds indoors, ideally 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. This early start is crucial because it boosts your tomato plants during the growing season, ensuring they have plenty of time to mature and produce fruit before the end of the growing season. For successful germination, place the seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix, about a quarter inch deep. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide a warm environment (around 70-80 F). Bright, indirect light will help your seedlings grow strong and sturdy. If you're limited on natural light, consider using grow lights to provide the necessary lumens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn regions with a long, warm growing season, you might opt to sow seeds directly outdoors. This can only be done when the soil has warmed to at least 60 F, and all danger of frost has passed. However, starting seeds indoors is generally recommended for Mandarin Cross tomatoes to ensure the plants are strong enough to withstand outdoor conditions when they're finally transplanted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore moving your tomato plants outdoors permanently, they'll need to go through a process called hardening off. This involves gradually acclimating your young plants to outdoor conditions over a period of 7-10 days. Start by placing them outside in a sheltered, partially shaded area for a few hours each day, slowly increasing their exposure to sun and wind. This crucial step reduces shock and improves their chances of thriving in their new environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce your plants are hardened off and the soil temperature is consistently above 60 F, it's time to transplant them into your garden. Choose a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Tomatoes thrive in well-draining soil rich in organic matter, so consider amending your garden soil with compost before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs your Mandarin Cross tomatoes grow, pruning and support become essential tasks. Remove any suckers (small shoots that appear in the axils of the leaves) to encourage stronger, more manageable plants. Supporting your tomatoes with stakes, cages, or trellises keeps the fruit off the ground, reducing the risk of disease and making harvesting easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at planting and then again as fruits begin to form will provide your tomatoes with the nutrients they need to grow robust and productive. Mulching around your plants helps retain soil moisture, keeps the soil temperature stable, and suppresses weeds. When watering, aim for the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and minimize the risk of disease. Consistent, deep watering is key to preventing problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting Mandarin Cross Tomatoes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMandarin Cross tomatoes are ripe when they turn a beautiful, full, deep orange. Gently twist the fruit off the vine, or use a pair of scissors to cut it free. These tomatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but they can also be stored for a short period at room temperature if you find yourself with an abundance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Mandarin Cross Tomato Garden Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese fruits are crack-resistant and have thick, sweet, tasty flesh that melts in your mouth. Mandarin Cross flesh is also firm, making them a good slicing fruit. The plant produces rich orange-colored fruit that resembles a mandarin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMandarin Cross tomatoes bring an element of aesthetic appeal to the garden. The vibrant color of its fruits can brighten any garden space, making it as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally, tomatoes were domesticated in South America, with their cultivation spreading to Europe and the rest of the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Over time, selective breeding and natural mutations brought about a wide variety of tomatoes, including the Mandarin Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMandarin Cross tomatoes are renowned for their sweet yet tangy flavor profile, a perfect balance that makes them irresistible to many. The fruit's flesh is juicy and firm, making it an excellent candidate for fresh eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMandarin Cross’ broad adaptability makes them a versatile choice for gardeners across many different growing conditions. They do best in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to develop fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose interested in heirloom and specialty tomatoes would also find the Mandarin Cross an intriguing addition, given its distinctive characteristics and potential for culinary exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Resources\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.trueleafmarket.com\/blogs\/articles\/how-to-choose-what-kind-of-tomato-variety-to-plant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuide to Tomatoes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMandarin Cross Tomato Seeds Per Package:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e250 mg packet - Approximately 50 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNon-GMO Mandarin Cross Tomato seeds are available for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueleafmarket.com\/pages\/shipping-information\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFast Free Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e on qualifying orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--split--\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Kitazawa Seed Company","offers":[{"title":"250mg Packet","offer_id":50290532974829,"sku":"59734","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/6048\/0493\/files\/TLCN-60313-Tomato_-_Mandarin_Cross_823c2de4-d25b-4886-88b5-8699b77da806.webp?v=1784160357","url":"https:\/\/tlmwholesale.com\/products\/tomato-seeds-mandarin-cross-kz","provider":"True Leaf Wholesale","version":"1.0","type":"link"}