This post was updated on the 13th February 2024
On the 21st May 2015 I was one of the lucky few that got a couple of the then new variety of what was announced as the first completely blight-resistant tomato called 'Crimson Crush' at this stage there were no seeds only a limited quantity of plants. Seeds followed the following year.
'Crimson Crush' was developed as collaboration between legendary British tomato breeder Simon Crawford, who developed 'Red Alert', the first bush tomato worth growing, and a PhD student at Bangor University. It was first spotted in a glasshouse in Yorkshire but then in a trials field in North Wales it stood out as a shining green and red beacon surrounded by blight infested tomato plants.
Since 2016 further Blight Resistant F1 Tomato seeds for outdoor cropping with the Crimson name have been developed however the description as to the degree of blight resistance has been down graded and the note below appeared as other forms of Crimson plants arrived.
Please note: With regards to the nature of the blight resistance, plants can still show infection (up to 10-15%) of leaves, stems etc. without effecting fruit quality or yield. The plants having the resistance to be able to grow away from the attack.
The crimson collection includes:-
- Tomato 'Crimson Crush' - The fruits are particularly large for a salad variety, with an exceptional flavour.
- Tomato 'Crimson Plum' - Good crops of ‘Roma’ style plum tomatoes throughout the summer.
- Tomato 'Crimson Cherry' - The small cherry fruits have glossy, red skins and a sweet, juicy flesh with a superb flavour.
- Tomato 'Crimson Blush' - Large beefsteak fruits with the sweet flavour of a cherry Tomato!
- Tomato 'Crimson Cocktail' - small cocktail-sized fruit with an excellent flavour that has a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
Pot up, and grow tomato plants on in warm frost free conditions until large enough to plant outdoors. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days.
Choose a sheltered position in full sun on fertile, reliably moist, well drained soil, and transplant at a distance of 60cm (24") apart. Alternatively grow tomatoes in patio bags and containers in good quality compost such as John Innes No. 2. Drive a (5') cane into the soil adjacent to each plant to support them as they grow, and tie each main stem to its support with soft garden twine.
The Crimson Plum is the first blight-resistant plum tomato from seed. Great for both indoor and outdoor growing, it is the ideal tomato variety to be grown outside in the UK.
Crimson Cocktail is the first small tomato that's resistant to early and late blight. A new addition to the 'Crimson Family' producing cocktail-sized fruit with an excellent flavour that has a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
The world’s first blight resistant orange fruited variety. Plants are high yielding, producing a mass of brightly, rich orange toms.
Taste is sweet with a slight tangy flavour, making them perfect for summer salads. Indeterminate.
These cordon varieties are perfect for containers or planters outdoors or in the greenhouse, and cope well with periods of wet weather. Height: 200cm (79"). Spread: 50cm (20")
As well as its ability to shrug off even the worst blight, Crimson Crush will provide great yields of exceptionally fine tasting, large, round tomatoes (each weighing up to 200g).
Bred for outdoor growing, it's the tomato that everyone should be planting this year. (Cordon variety - one stem grown by pinching off side-shoots as they appear, needs staking and tying in.)
This remarkable fruit is ideal for pots, baskets or any containers, reaching heights of 150-200cm (59-79"); spread 40-50cm (16-20").
Support with a cane and remove side shoots regularly. Feed regularly with tomato food
The Crimson Cherry is the first blight-resistant cherry sized tomato, making it the perfect variety to be grown outside in the UK. This remarkable tomato variety is ideal for small pots, baskets, or any containers, reaching heights of 151-200cm (59-79"); spread 41-50cm (16-20").
Extremely versatile, this tomato plant shows good resistance to Fusarium, Verticillium, and both early and late blight! Crimson Cherry tomatoes are deliciously sweet (9 Brix). Its fruits have a satisfying 'tang' which makes you want more. These tomato plants will keep cropping until the first frosts outside and longer if grown in a greenhouse or tunnel.
Exclusive to Suttons, this blight resistant beefsteak tomato is sweeter than other beefsteak varieties. In fact, it tastes more like a cherry tomato.
This tomato variety has been bred for growing outside and is able to stand up to periods of wet weather. Expect an abundance of stunning large, crimson fruit. Harvest July-October. Height 150-200cm (59-79"); spread 40-50cm (16-20").
Suttons £4.49 for a pack with 10 seeds in
Green shoulders which fade to red as the fruit ripen. Ideal to grow outside or in a tunnel/greenhouse. A cordon variety. Harvest July-October. Height 150-200cm (59-79"); spread 30-40cm (12-16").
Growing Information
Sow March/April for greenhouse growing (or April for outdoors) in a propagator on a windowsill or pots or trays in a greenhouse at 18-21°C (65-70°F) using a quality compost. Cover seeds with 6mm (¼") sieved compost. (Germination 7-14 days). Transplant seedlings singly into 75mm (3") pots. Grow on, finally planting into large pots, grow bags or direct into the greenhouse border; or outdoors 45cm (18") apart when frost risk has passed. Feed regularly and side-shoot as is necessary.
Sowing Information
Sow March/April for greenhouse growing (or April for outdoors) in a propagator on a windowsill or pots or trays in a greenhouse at 18-21°C (65-70°F) using a quality compost. Cover seeds with 6mm (¼") sieved compost. (Germination 7-14 days). Transplant seedlings singly into 75mm (3") pots. Grow on, finally planting into large pots, grow bags or direct into the greenhouse border; or outdoors 45cm (18") apart when frost risk has passed.
Feed regularly and side-shoot as necessary.
Following on from the success of the Crimson Collection of tomatoes other Blight Resistant tomatoes have been developed these include:-
The world’s first blight resistant orange fruited variety. Plants are high yielding, producing a mass of brightly, rich orange toms.
Taste is sweet with a slight tangy flavour, making them perfect for summer salads. Indeterminate.
10 Seeds £2.80
Cordon/Indeterminate Each plant of this award-winning variety yields up to 300 deliciously sweet cherry tomatoes. Winner of the All America Selections Edible Winner 2020, Tomato ‘Crokini’ was recognised for its higher yields, with its in-bred resistance to Late Blight allowing harvesting to continue well into September.
Fruit is evenly distributed, with up to 10-12 fruits in each cluster, and is a lovely red colour on harvesting. The small, firm fruits have a sweet, slightly acidic taste with a Brix of 8.5, a crunchy texture and good resistance to splitting.
Height: 180cm-200cm (70-79in). Width: 50cm (20in).
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