What are the sun requirements for Solanum lycopersicum 'Heatmaster'?

Solanum lycopersicum 'Heatmaster' is Heatmaster tomato, a determinate (bush type) annual growing 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) tall and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide. Round red slicing tomatoes 6-8 ounces (170-225 g). Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers in clusters. Dark green pinnately compound foliage. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). F1 hybrid bred for heat tolerance: continues to set fruit above 95°F (35°C) when most tomato cultivars drop flowers above 90°F (32°C). Determinate: reaches a set height, sets fruit over 2-4 weeks, then production tapers. VFFA resistant: Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2 (Fusarium oxysporum), and Alternaria stem canker (Alternaria alternata). Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. The heat tolerance is the cultivar's key trait — gardeners in moderate climates gain no benefit. The concentrated 2-4 week fruit set is suited to batch processing. All green parts contain solanine — toxic to pets and humans in quantity. Ripe fruit is non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

F1 hybrid cultivar bred for heat tolerance. The species S. lycopersicum is native to western South America (Peru, Ecuador).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Heat-tolerant determinate for hot arid climates. VFFA disease-resistant. F1 hybrid. Green parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by round red slicing fruit 6-8 ounces (170-225 g) on a compact determinate bush. Distinguished by heat tolerance (fruit set above 95 degrees F / 35 degrees C) and VFFA disease resistance. F1 hybrid. Determinate. In Solanaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 4'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (June-September). Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers. Self-pollinating — continues pollination in heat above 95 degrees F (35 degrees C). Fruit 75-85 days from transplant. Determinate: concentrated fruit set.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, 5-petaled, in clusters

Foliage Description

Dark green, pinnately compound with toothed leaflets

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

75-85 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Start indoors 6 weeks early. Bred for heat — sets fruit above 95 degrees F (35 degrees C). Cage or stake. Determinate — do not remove terminal tip. VFFA resistant. Consistent watering. F1 hybrid. Green parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

Pruning

Remove suckers below the first flower cluster. Do not remove the terminal growing tip (determinate). Remove lower leaves touching soil. Harvest when uniformly deep red.

Pruning Schedule

summer