Solanum lycopersicum 'Striped German'
vegetableStriped German is a gorgeous bicolor beefsteak heirloom whose marbled red-and-yellow flesh looks like a sunset when the fruit is sliced open. The tomatoes often reach about 1 pound, with large fruit up to 1.5 to 2 pounds, and a complex, fruity-sweet flavor with low perceived acidity, and the swirled interior makes them one of the most visually striking tomatoes any garden can grow. Indeterminate vines produce these large fruits over a long season and need firm support. Like most big heirlooms the fruit is soft, short-keeping, and prone to cracking, so it is grown for the table rather than for storage.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~80 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
30-36 in
Planting Depth
Bury stem 2/3 deep
Soil pH
6.2-6.8
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At transplant; side-dress with compost at first flower set; foliar feed monthly
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer at transplant; switch to phosphorus-and-potassium formula when fruiting
Start seed indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost, a quarter inch deep at 75 to 85F, and harden off before transplanting into warm, rich soil once nights stay above 50F. Plant deeply with two-thirds of the stem buried, give full sun, and space 2 to 3 feet apart. Stake or cage early and heavily, since the 1 to 2 pound fruit can topple weak supports. Water deeply and consistently to about an inch per week and mulch 3 to 4 inches, because steady moisture and good calcium uptake prevent the blossom-end rot and cracking big bicolor heirlooms are prone to. Keep nitrogen moderate and pinch lower suckers to focus energy on the heavy fruit.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jul 18
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
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Inspect the undersides of leaves each morning; Bacillus thuringiensis spray at early instar
Mulch to prevent soil splash; remove lower leaves as season progresses
Insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybugs
Mulch heavily and water on a consistent schedule
Expect ripe fruit roughly 78 to 80 days from transplant. Harvest when the marbled red-and-yellow pattern is fully developed on the skin and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Handle each tomato carefully because the thin skin bruises and the heavy fruit cracks easily, and slice it just before serving to show off the swirled interior. It is best eaten fresh at room temperature; never refrigerate, which dulls both the color and the flavor. Pick promptly after rain to avoid splitting.
Striped German is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and vitamin K. Its bicolor flesh is notable for carrying both the red lycopene of standard tomatoes and yellow carotenoid pigments, giving a broader mix of antioxidants in one fruit. The mild, fruity flesh has low perceived acidity and is gentle on sensitive stomachs, very low in calories, and best enjoyed sliced fresh.
Eat the ripe fruit only. Tomato leaves and stems (and large amounts of very unripe green fruit) contain solanine-type compounds and are not for eating.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.