There are many different characteristics that you would want in the ideal tomato. The Jet Star Tomato has several qualities that make it the perfect tomato for preserving, eating raw, home gardening, and other uses.
Learn more about this well-liked hybrid tomato variety and the benefits of including it in your garden this year by reading on at homegardenartful.com.
Characteristics of Jet Star Tomatoes
The Jet Star Tomato immediately distinguishes itself as practically a classic tomato type. It pretty much looks just as a traditional tomato should!
These tomatoes range in size from medium to large, and when completely ripe, they weigh around 8 ounces. As one of the bigger tomatoes you may grow, the Beef Steak kind, they are just a little smaller than that. They develop globularly and have skin that is silky and vivid crimson.
The Jet Star Tomato immediately distinguishes itself as practically a classic tomato type. It pretty much looks just as a traditional tomato should!
These tomatoes range in size from medium to large, and when completely ripe, they weigh around 8 ounces. As one of the bigger tomatoes you may grow, the Beef Steak kind, they are just a little smaller than that. They develop globularly and have skin that is silky and vivid crimson.
A Jet Star Tomato’s robust, meaty texture makes it suitable for cubing, slicing, and other raw food delight. Another of this tomato’s main draws for many consumers is the fact that its flavor profile is sweet and low in acidity.
This variety’s resilience to cracking and scarring makes it a favorite among growers as well. The plants are also heat tolerant, which is uncommon for many tomato kinds, and makes them perfect for growing in hotter climates, even in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
These tomatoes are also less prone to ailments like Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, which frequently affect their contemporaries. The best part is that they may grow well in many kinds of soil.
This tomato type is extremely well-liked for all the aforementioned factors and more; in fact, one study found that they performed the best of all the tomato kinds they evaluated! There isn’t another tomato that excels in as many categories, in actuality.
Jet Star Tomato Information
Dr. M.C. Rick, a well-known plant breeder at the University of New Hampshire, created the Jet Star Tomato. In order to produce a hybrid with favorable traits, various tomato types were crossed in order to debut it in 1969.
Since they are indeterminate plants, they keep growing and bearing fruit all through the growing season. They normally stand between 4 and 6 feet (1.2 and 1.8 meters) tall. Due to their strong development, the plants need staking or support to keep them upright.
Medium to large in size, Jet Star Tomatoes have a rounded or somewhat flattened shape. They have glossy, silky skin that turns a bright crimson when ripe. The fruit’s diameter ranges from 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm), on average.
The wonderful flavor of Jet Star Tomatoes is one of their distinguishing qualities. They are renowned for their flavor, which blends sweetness with a light acidic undertone. The flavor is frequently characterized as being juicy, rich, and well-balanced in terms of acidity.
Propagating Jet Star Tomatoes
- The best and simplest way to propagate Jet Star tomatoes is from seeds, though stem cuttings can also be used.
- Save the seeds from mature, ripe Jet Star tomatoes, or purchase them from a dependable seed seller.
- Six to eight weeks before the latest date of frost in your area, start the seeds inside. Use pots or seed-starting trays with seed-starting mix.
- The seeds should be buried in the soil about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep, then lightly covered.
- For germination, maintain continuous soil moisture and warmth (between 70 and 80 °F or 21 and 27 °C).
- Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they have produced a few genuine leaves.
IV. Requirements for Growing Jet Star Tomatoes
Sunlight
For at least 6 to 8 hours per day, Jet Star tomatoes must be fully exposed to the sun. Pick a spot in your garden where there is plenty of sunlight to encourage fruit development and healthy growth.
Soil
Jet Star tomatoes prefer organically dense, well-draining soil. To promote fertility and drainage, prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure. The pH of the soil should be between slightly acidic and neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0.
Watering
To keep the soil evenly moist, tomatoes require constant irrigation. When the soil is fully dry between waterings, it might get stressed and hinder the fruit’s ability to grow.
Deeply water the plants, making sure the water gets to the root zone. Depending on the weather, aim to offer 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Temperature
In most parts of the United States, Jet Star tomatoes are commonly planted as annuals because they do best in warm climates. For growing Jet Star tomatoes, the ideal temperature range is between 70°F and 85°F (21°C and 29°C). They should not be planted outside until all threat of frost has passed since they are vulnerable to cold damage.
Jet Star Tomato Care
Fertilizer
Utilize a balanced fertilizer, like an NPK blend of 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. During the growing season, apply the fertilizer as directed by the manufacturer, often every few weeks (once every 6 to 8 weeks).
As an alternative, you can improve the soil by using organic fertilizers including compost or well-rotted manure.
Frost Protection
Tomatoes called Jet Star are not frost-tolerant. Consider planting the seeds indoors if you live in a region that has late spring frosts, or use protective coverings including cloches or row covers to keep the plants safe until the threat of frost has gone.
Support
As indeterminate plants, Jet Star tomatoes benefit from staking and caging to maintain their brisk growth. To prevent the plants from sprawling on the ground and to increase air circulation, install pegs or cages at the time of planting.
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- Aphids: The stems and leaves of spoon tomatoes are tapped for their sap by these tiny, soft-bodied insects. They can disperse plant viruses as well.
- Large caterpillars known as tomato hornworms consume tomatoes, leaves, and stems.
- Whiteflies are tiny, white insects that feed on the underside of leaves and release honeydew as a byproduct.
- Mites: These minuscule arachnids feed on the sap that accumulates on the undersides of leaves, turning them brown and yellow.
Common Diseases
- Early Blight: This fungus causes Jet Star tomatoes’ leaves and stems to develop dark patches.
- Brown spots develop on the stems and leaves as a result of the fungus disease known as late blight.
- Fusarium Wilt: The leaves wilt and die as a result of this fungus illness.
- Verticillium Wilt: This fungus infects the leaves, causing them to yellow, wilt, and eventually die.
Harvesting Jet Star Tomatoes
Jet Star tomatoes can take between 70 and 80 days from the time the seeds are planted to mature and be ready for harvest, but this time frame can vary.
When Jet Star tomatoes attain their mature color, which for this variety is a vivid red, they are ready to be harvested. When lightly pressed, the tomatoes should feel solid but slightly giving.
To remove the tomatoes from the vine and ready them for harvest, gently twist them. As an alternative, you can cut the stem where it joins the fruit, right above the calyx (the green, leafy area), using sharp garden shears or pruners.
If you won’t be using the tomatoes right away, store them at room temperature in a place that is well-ventilated and out of the sun. To avoid bruising, avoid stacking or cramming them.
Jet Star Advantages
Disease resistance. Due to its disease resistance, crack resistance, and scar resistance, this tomato variety has established itself as a mainstay in the backyard garden. Despite having a lengthy uncertain season, both the plants and the fruit remain healthy and attractive. Fruit has a bright, common tomato-red hue both on the inside and outside.
Yield. The variety is known for producing an excessive amount of fruit whether it is planted in a cage, on a stake, or in the ground. All through the season, it produces significant yields. These tomatoes are also adaptable. There are many different climates where plants can flourish. They can endure colder regions as well as higher temperatures.
Flavor. This tomato type is frequently mentioned by enthusiasts as a favorite because it is “low acid.” Actually, tomatoes’ acid content is rather constant between types. The taste difference is due to Jet Stars’ increased sugar content compared to other tomatoes, which helps to balance out the acid.
Health Benefits
Jet Star Tomatoes have a lot of health advantages that you can reap! This vibrant red tomato is packed with lycopene, an antioxidant substance that is extremely beneficial to the body.
Lycopene can strengthen your immune system, lower inflammation throughout your body, and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Jet Star Tomatoes also contain additional vitamins and nutrients that are good for your eyes, skin, heart, teeth, lungs, and overall wellness.
Conclusion
It’s challenging to remain unenthused by the incredible qualities of the Jet Star Tomato, don’t you think? Check out our page on tomato plants before you start cultivating this excellent variety. You’ll get all the information you need from this resource to take good care of your plants and make them flourish!
