Tomato 'Black prince'

30 seeds

'Black Prince' is a famous heirloom tomato variety producing medium-sized fruits with deep mahogany-red to dark purple skin and juicy, rich-flavored flesh. It is prized for its sweet, slightly smoky taste, making it excellent for fresh salads, sandwiches, gourmet dishes, and slicing. In the Gulf region, it performs best during the cooler growing season.

Best Planting Time

• August to November (recommended)
• January to February (spring crop in mild Gulf areas)
• Avoid transplanting during the hottest summer months.

Seed Preparation

• No soaking is required.
• Optional: Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 4–6 hours to encourage faster germination.
• Use fresh, high-quality seeds.

Soil Preparation

Tomatoes prefer fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Sandy garden soil
• 30% Well-rotted compost
• 20% Coco peat
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or small pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5–1 cm deep.
• Keep the soil evenly moist.
• Transplant seedlings when they have 4–6 true leaves (approximately 4–6 weeks old).

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 22–28°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 20–30°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During late spring in the Gulf, light afternoon shade helps reduce heat stress.

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.
• Water deeply whenever the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Water at the base of the plant.
• Maintain even soil moisture to reduce blossom-end rot and fruit cracking.

Germination Time

• 5–10 days

Plant Spacing

• 45–60 cm between plants.
• 75–100 cm between rows.

Support

• Install stakes, cages, or trellises before plants become large.
• Tie stems loosely as they grow to support heavy fruit clusters.

Harvest

• Harvest 75–90 days after transplanting.
• Pick fruits when they develop their characteristic dark reddish-purple color and feel slightly soft.
• Regular harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Fertilization

• Mix compost into the soil before planting.
• Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• During flowering and fruiting, use fertilizer higher in potassium and calcium.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth instead of fruit.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Grow during the cooler season.
• Water early in the morning.
• Apply mulch to conserve moisture and cool the roots.
• Ensure good air circulation around plants.
• Monitor for whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, tomato fruitworm, early blight, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, and blossom-end rot.
• 'Black Prince' performs well in raised beds, greenhouses, large containers, and home vegetable gardens throughout the Gulf.