Container tomato Antho Beef is a remarkable, compact tomato variety that stands out not only for its small size, but especially for its beautiful variegated potato leaves. The plant remains remarkably compact, reaching a height of approximately 50 to 60 cm, making it very suitable for growing in pots, on balconies or terraces, as well as in the greenhouse, vegetable garden and outdoors in a sunny, sheltered location. Container tomato Antho Beef is described as a compact dwarf tomato with an indeterminate growth habit and produces large trusses with many flowers and fruits. The flat-round, sometimes slightly ribbed fruits weigh approximately 30 to 50 grams each and are estimated to be about 4 to 5 cm in size. The fruits have a yellow base colour with orange-red stripes and yellow flesh. The flavour is juicy, mildly aromatic and pleasantly sweet and fruity. A special characteristic of Antho Beef patio tomato is the possible presence of anthocyanin, the natural pigment that can cause dark purple to almost black colouring in tomatoes. In some selections, this can result in dark to almost black shoulders, while other selections mainly produce yellow fruits with orange-red stripes. The amount of anthocyanin can also be influenced by the amount of sunlight. Container tomato Antho Beef is associated with American tomato breeder Dean Slater in several sources. The variety is considered a mid-season tomato and ripens around the middle of the growing season. Due to its compact growth, this unusual tomato is also ideal for smaller gardens and for anyone who enjoys growing tomatoes in pots. With its striking variegated foliage, unusual fruits and compact growth, container tomato Antho Beef is a versatile and decorative tomato that is sure to look attractive on a balcony or terrace.
This tomato plant, like all other container tomatoes, requires little maintenance. There is no need to thresh the plant and support is not necessarily necessary, although it can be useful when the plant is full of the delicious, large cherry tomatoes to add a sturdy stick to keep the plant from falling over. This variety is ideal for people who have limited space in the garden or just a balcony. This is because it can be grown in a large pot. This allows people with limited space to still enjoy home-grown tomatoes.
Use these tomatoes in pasta sauces, salads, in soups, ketchup, on bread and straight from the plant as a delicious and healthy snack. Ensure plenty of sun and warmth and support the plant well for best results. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and lycopene. This is best absorbed into the body when tomatoes have been heated. The anthocyanins (antioxidants) that cause the purple colour in these tomatoes are very healthy. These health benefits include: anti-inflammatory, eye health, blood sugar regulation, cancer protection, antioxidant and it is good for the heart. Non hardy annual. Height: 50 - 60 cm.
Indoor sowing: February - April
Germination: 6 - 14 days
Germination temp: 20 - 25 °C
Sowing depth: 2 - 3 mm
Transplanting: when the seedlings are about 20 cm tall
Transplanting in garden: in May, after the last night frosts
Plant spacing: 45 - 50 cm
Planting position: sunny - sheltered (greenhouse)
Days till harvest: 60 - 90
Sow indoors from February on in trays filled with moist pottingsoil. Sow shallow and press the seeds gently in the soil, don't cover them with soil, because tomatoes are light germinators. Put the trays away somewhere warm at 20 - 25 °C and cover them with clingfilm or a lid. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Keep moist, but not to wet to prevent rotting of the seeds. Remove the clingfilm or lid when the seedlings emerge. Transplant the seedlings to seperate pots approx. 10 days after emerging. Put them away a bit cooler at approx. 18 - 20 °C.
Harden the tomatoes of, from the middle of May, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrosts. Put the pots at a temperature of 15 - 18 °C for a week and reduce the amount of water for this week. Put the plants outdoors after this week on a sunny and sheltered plot with well draining soil or put them in a greenhouse. Make sure that there is no longer any nightfrost.
Tomatoes need some maintenance to ensure a good harvest. Give the plants a sturdy support with some sturdy and large bamboo sticks. Remove all suckers that will form in the axils of your plants. Remove all the leaves below the lowest hanging fruits by the end of July till the beginning of August. Remove all the leaves of all plants together with the tops of all plants from the end of August till the beginning of September to ensure the ripening of most of the green tomatoes. Harvest the tomatoes by cutting them with scissors. Tomatoes can't be kept for a long period. Don't keep your harvested tomatoes in the fridge. So use them a soon as possible after harvesting. Tomatoes used in sauces can be kept frozen to store.
