If you’re looking for a tomato that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful, you need to meet the Mr Stripey tomato. This heirloom garden favorite is known for its stunning red and yellow streaked skin and sweet, low-acid taste, making it a standout in any summer garden.
Growing your own food is rewarding, and Mr Stripey is a perfect choice for both new and experienced gardeners. It’s not the most difficult plant to care for, but it does have some specific needs to truly thrive. This guide gives you all the practical steps to grow healthy plants and enjoy a fantastic harvest.
Mr Stripey Tomato
This beefsteak-type tomato is a true heirloom, often listed as an “old German” or “tigerella” type variety, though it has its own unique character. The fruits are large, often weighing between one and two pounds each. The most striking feature is, of course, the skin. It develops a beautiful pattern of red and gold stripes, which is where it gets its charming name.
The flavor is equally impressive. Mr Stripey is celebrated for its exceptionally sweet, almost fruity taste with very low acidity. This makes it a fantastic choice for fresh eating. It’s perfect in salads, sandwiches, or simply sliced with a sprinkle of salt.
Why Choose Mr Stripey for Your Garden?
You might wonder what sets this tomato apart from the hundreds of other varieties. Here are a few compelling reasons:
* Unique Beauty: The striped, bicolored fruits are a conversation starter and look gorgeous on the vine and on your plate.
* Superior Flavor: The sweet, mild taste is a hit with people who find regular tomatoes too acidic.
* Heirloom Status: As an heirloom, you can save the seeds from your best fruits to grow again next year, preserving its unique genetics.
* Good Yield: A healthy plant will produce a reliable crop of large tomatoes throughout the season.
However, it’s fair to note a couple things. The plants are indeterminate, meaning they grow tall and vine-like all season, requiring strong support. Also, the thin skin on the fruits can sometimes be prone to cracking if watering is inconsistent.
Starting Your Plants: Seeds vs. Transplants
You have two main paths to getting your Mr Stripey plants started.
Starting from Seed (Recommended):
This is the best way to ensure you get the true heirloom variety. Start your seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
1. Fill small pots or cells with a sterile seed-starting mix.
2. Plant two seeds per cell, about 1/4 inch deep.
3. Water gently and keep the soil consistently warm (70-80°F) and moist.
4. Once seedlings sprout, give them plenty of light—a sunny south window or grow lights for 14-16 hours a day.
5. When they develop their first set of true leaves, thin to the strongest seedling per cell.
Buying Transplants:
If you start from a local nursery, inspect the plants carefully. Look for short, stocky plants with deep green leaves and no signs of pests or yellowing. Avoid plants that are already flowering or have roots growing out the bottom of the pot.
Planting and Site Preparation
Mr Stripey needs a prime spot in your garden to perform its best.
* Sunlight: Choose the sunniest location you have. They require at least 8 hours of direct, full sun each day.
* Soil: The soil should be rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.8). Amend your garden bed with several inches of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
* Timing: Wait until all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 50°F before moving plants outside.
When you’re ready to plant, follow these steps:
1. Harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.
2. Dig a hole deep enough to bury the stem up to the first set of leaves. Tomato stems will grow roots along the buried section, creating a stronger plant.
3. Place the plant in the hole and fill it with soil, gently firming it around the base.
4. Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
Spacing and Support Systems
Because Mr Stripey is a large, indeterminate plant, spacing is crucial. Place plants at least 3 feet apart in rows that are 4 feet apart. This allows for good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
Support is non-negotiable. The heavy fruits will cause vines to sprawl and break without it. Install your support at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.
* Strong Tomato Cages: Use the tallest, heaviest-duty cages you can find.
* Stakes: Use 6- to 8-foot tall wooden or metal stakes. Tie the main stem to the stake loosely with soft cloth or tomato ties as it grows.
* Trellis System: A horizontal string or weave trellis between posts works very well for multiple plants.
Essential Care Through the Season
Consistent care is the secret to a heavy harvest of those striped beauties.
Watering:
Provide about 1-2 inches of water per week. The key is deep, infrequent watering rather than daily sprinkles. Water slowly at the base of the plant, keeping the leaves dry to prevent fungal issues. Inconsistent watering (letting the soil dry out completely then flooding it) is a main cause of fruit cracking.
Fertilizing:
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. At planting, you can mix a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil. Once flowers begin to form, switch to a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium (like a 5-10-10 formula) to encourage blooming and fruiting instead of just leafy growth.
Pruning and Maintenance:
For indeterminate plants like Mr Stripey, many gardeners practice suckering. This means removing the small shoots that grow in the “V” between the main stem and a branch.
* It improves air flow.
* It directs the plant’s energy into producing fewer, but larger, fruits.
* It keeps the plant more managable.
Check for these suckers weekly and pinch them off with your fingers when they are small. Also, remove any yellowing or diseased leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows.
Harvesting and Storing Your Tomatoes
The moment you’ve been waiting for! Mr Stripey tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are fully colored and feel slightly soft when given a gentle squeeze. The stripes will be vivid. They should twist off the vine easily with a gentle pull.
For the best flavor, let them ripen fully on the vine. If frost threatens, you can pick mature green tomatoes (those that have reached full size) and ripen them indoors in a paper bag with a banana.
Never refrigerate your ripe heirloom tomatoes. The cold ruins their texture and flavor. Store them at room temperature on your counter and enjoy them within a few days for peak taste.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with great care, you might encounter a few issues.
* Blossom End Rot: A dark, leathery spot on the bottom of the fruit. It’s caused by a calcium deficiency often linked to irregular watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture and ensure your soil pH is correct so calcium is available.
* Cracking: Circular cracks around the stem or radial splits. This is almost always due to a sudden influx of water after a dry period. Mulching and consistent watering prevents this.
* Pests: Watch for hornworms (large green caterpillars), aphids, and whiteflies. Handpick hornworms. A strong spray of water or insecticidal soap can manage smaller pests.
* Diseases: Fungal diseases like early blight can be a problem. Use mulch to prevent soil from splashing onto leaves, water at the base, and consider using an organic fungicide if problems arise. Rotating your tomato plot each year helps alot.
FAQ About This Garden Favorite
Is Mr Stripey tomato determinate or indeterminate?
It is an indeterminate variety, meaning it will continue growing and producing fruit until killed by frost.
How long does it take for Mr Stripey tomatoes to mature?
It is typically a mid-to-late season tomato, requiring around 75-85 days from transplanting to harvest.
Why are my Mr Stripey tomatoes not striped?
The striping is most pronounced when the fruits ripen in cooler temperatures. Extreme heat can sometimes cause the colors to blend or be less distinct. Lack of full sun can also effect color development.
Can I save seeds from my Mr Stripey tomatoes?
Yes! As an heirloom, the seeds will come true to the parent plant. Scoop seeds from a fully ripe fruit, ferment them in water for a few days, then dry them thoroughly before storing in a cool, dark place.
Are Mr Stripey tomatoes good for canning?
Due to their low acidity and meaty texture, they are excellent for making sauces and canning. Always follow tested canning recipes for safety, as low-acid tomatoes may require added lemon juice or citric acid.
Growing the Mr Stripey tomato is a testiment to the joy of gardening. With its stunning apperance and exceptional sweet flavor, the effort you put in is repaid many times over. By giving it the right start, consistent care, and strong support, you’ll be rewarded with a unique and delicious harvest that makes your garden truly special.