Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Sungold')
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sungold' is a highly productive Tomato variety prized for its sweet, golden-orange cherry fruits.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ is a deservedly popular variety within the extensive family of Tomatoes, valued hugely by gardeners for its reliable production of intensely sweet cherry fruit. This specific cultivar, Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’, offers gardeners golden-orange gems that are incredibly flavorful even before they achieve full color. As a tender perennial grown as an annual, this Tomato requires consistent care but rewards effort with an early and extended harvest lasting until the first frost.
Known botanically as Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’, this selection matures quickly, often within 65 days, making it an excellent choice for maximizing the growing season. It thrives best with access to full sun and prefers moist, fertile loams, making it a highly functional addition to any vegetable patch or large container system. Growing this Tomato offers the superb practical benefit of high-quality, flavorful homegrown produce.
Gardeners should note that ‘Sungold’ plants are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow taller and set fruit until frost intervenes, necessitating sturdy support structures. Its notable resistance to fusarium wilt and tobacco mosaic virus makes Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ slightly more robust against common ailments than some heritage types.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Solanaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-5 ft
- Spread: 1.5-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Flowers not showy
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Starting Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ should occur indoors 5–6 weeks before your area’s last expected frost date, or you can purchase robust starter plants post-frost. If planting directly into large patio containers outside, wait until all danger of frost has passed. This Tomato prefers average, medium-moisture, well-drained garden soils, ideally rich and humusy loams for best performance.
When planting outdoors, spacing for standard Tomatoes often involves rows 4 to 5 feet apart, with individual plants situated 2 to 4 feet apart within the row. If you commit to staking or caging, you can place plants closer, perhaps 1.5 feet apart, utilizing support to manage the indeterminate vine growth. Mulching the root zone is essential for retaining consistent moisture and suppressing weeds, which helps water management for this medium-water-need crop.
Water the plants regularly and consistently throughout the entire growing season; uneven watering often contributes to physiological disorders later on. For supported Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’, actively manage growth by removing suckers to focus energy into one or two central stems, ensuring maximum fruit production. Remember that crop rotation annually is a key cultural practice to help suppress lingering soil-borne diseases.
Landscape Uses
Tomatoes, including the prolific Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ variety, are primarily cultivated for their edible fruits within vegetable gardens or dedicated patio containers. They offer remarkable functional beauty, transforming a standard edible garden into a vibrant area featuring glossy green foliage contrasting with ripening golden-orange cherry tomatoes. Because they are indeterminate, they look excellent when grown vertically along sturdy supports or within tall cages at the edge of borders, acting as a living backdrop.
For structural integrity and ease of harvest, consider planting Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ near trellises or strong netting within kitchen gardens. While primarily grown for consumption, the intense color of the maturing fruit provides visual interest unmatched by many purely ornamental annuals. Though not explicitly listed, classic vegetable companions like basil, marigolds (for pest confusion), and carrots generally perform well near any rich Tomato patch.
Standout Features
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tomatoes are tender perennials that are grown in vegetable gardens as annuals for their fruits. Varieties are either determinate (bushy with fruit produced at terminal buds) or indeterminate (more vine-like with indefinite stem growth). ‘Sungold’ produces large clusters of 1 1/4 in. Wide, golden orange, very sweet-tart cherry tomatoes on indeterminate plants, maturing early at about 65 days. The genus name origin traces back to Greek words referenced by its fruit’s appearance, and this specific cultivar has high resistance to certain wilt viruses.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
Potential Problems
Gardeners growing Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ must remain vigilant against common Tomato diseases such as anthracnose, early blight, late blight, and various wilts, including fusarium wilt which ‘Sungold’ shows resistance against. Key insect pests demanding attention include tomato hornworms, aphids, stinkbugs, and flea beetles; early detection is crucial for managing outbreaks. Furthermore, watch for physiological issues like blossom end rot, often related to calcium uptake or inconsistent watering, and avoid planting near black walnut trees due to juglone sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ suitable for?
This Tomato variety is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12, although it is commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates.
How large does Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’) grow?
This indeterminate variety typically reaches heights between 4 and 5 feet tall, spreading outward 1.5 to 3 feet wide when provided adequate space and support.
What sun exposure does Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ need?
For optimal fruit production and plant health, Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ requires placement in an area that receives full sun throughout the day.
When does Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’) bloom?
The flowering display is described as insignificant, producing small yellow flowers before setting the edible fruit clusters.
Conclusion
The Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ offers gardeners an exceptional combination of early maturity, high disease resistance, and outstandingly sweet flavor in a convenient cherry form. Successfully growing this Tomato ensures a supply of delicious, showy, and edible fruit throughout the warm season. Check your local frost dates and plan your indoor seed starting now to maximize your harvest of this superb variety.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate partners is key to managing pests and maximizing the vigor of your Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ plants. While detailed companion data is absent, general vegetable culture suggests pairing Tomatoes with herbs that can deter common pests. Basil is often cited as a companion that may enhance the flavor of the resulting Tomato fruit while potentially repelling certain flies and hornworms.
Avoid planting potatoes or peppers nearby, as they share susceptibility to similar soil-borne diseases like various blights and wilts, which could rapidly spread through close proximity. Ensure companions do not over-shade the base of the Tomato plants, as they require good air circulation around the lower leaves to help prevent humidity buildup, a precursor to fungal issues.
Container Growing
While field-grown in rows is typical, the indeterminate nature of Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ means it can be highly successful in large containers, provided the container depth allows sufficient root development for a 5-foot plant. A container of at least five gallons (or larger) is recommended for a single plant to ensure adequate volume for medium water needs.
For container success, use a high-quality, peat-based potting mix rather than heavy garden soil, as containers require superior drainage. Because container plants dry out faster, monitor watering diligently, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged, especially during peak summer heat when the plant is setting fruit. You must install a very sturdy cage or stake immediately upon transplanting, as the mature vine becomes heavy quickly.
