Seeds
A striking, heat-tolerant loose-leaf lettuce with deep red, frilly edges.
Known for their intensely fruity and almost tropical sweetness, these hybrid orange cherry tomatoes are a favorite for raw snacking. The fruits ripen to a glowing tangerine color and are highly resistant to splitting, even after heavy rains. The prolific vines will pump out hundreds of brilliant orange gems that add phenomenal color and a sugar-sweet pop to summer salads and lunchboxes.
Light
Give it the sunniest spot you have, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct light each day. In Pakistan's hottest months light afternoon shade helps stop flowers dropping and fruit scalding.
Water
Water deeply and consistently, about 2.5 to 4 cm a week, more in hot weather and daily for pots in peak summer. Steady moisture avoids split fruit and blossom end rot, so mulch the soil and water at the base.
Humidity
Comfortable in average humidity. In muggy spells fungal problems spread quickly, so keep plants tied up off the ground, pruned for airflow and watered only at the roots.
Temperature
Adapts to most of Pakistan's growing weather, thriving at about 15 to 35 C and flowering most freely between 18 and 32 C. In 35 C+ heat the plants keep growing under shade net and flowers may drop until it eases, so sow from late January to March for spring fruiting and again in late summer for an autumn crop.
Pets and children
Fully ripe tomatoes are fine for people, and the ASPCA lists the ripe fruit as non-toxic for pets. The leaves, stems and green fruit contain solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to dogs, cats and horses if eaten in quantity, causing drooling, stomach upset and weakness.
Soil
Well drained, rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Blend garden soil with vermicompost and a little cocopeat, and give container plants at least 20 litres of room.
Fertilizer
Feed moderately rather than heavily. Apply a low nitrogen tomato feed at planting, once fruit is forming and again after the first pick, since too much nitrogen means leafy plants with little fruit. Indeterminate hybrid vines keep growing, so tie them to a strong stake or trellis as they climb.
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