'Auriga' Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum

<tc>'Auriga' Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum</tc>
    €3,00 EUR
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    Delivery time: 1-2 business days (PT – international may vary)
    reicht für ca. 18 plants

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    Traditional cultivation method & heirloom variety. Genetically stable & open-pollinated - 100% free from hybrid breeding, GMOs, and synthetic fertilizers. Organically propagated - Non-proprietary variety.

    Local pickup at Benjis Seeds

    Pickup Instructions
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    Harvest year:

    2025

    Seed viability:

    9 years (species-specific)
    Detailed information on germination capacity

    Description

    Cultivation & Characteristics

    Tips & Reviews

    'Auriga' Tomato – historic tomato variety with fruity flavor. 

    This variety is an orange salad tomato with a mild, fruity-sweet flavor and high resistance to cracking. It ripens mid-season and is ideal for cultivation in open beds, raised beds, and large containers. Robust and high-yielding, it’s perfect for self-sufficient gardening and organic cultivation.

     

      Origin & History

    'Auriga' is an open-pollinated salad tomato bred in 1980 by Dr. Martin Stein in Quedlinburg (GDR) – a traditional seed town at the northern edge of the Harz with more than 200 years of breeding history. The variety is one of the few GDR cultivations that have endured to this day and ranks among the most popular mid-early tomato varieties for organic outdoor cultivation.

    Its vigorous plants bear medium-sized, orange fruits with a high beta-carotene content, sweet-spicy flavor, and stable resistance to cracking. For decades, Auriga has been successfully used in organic farming and is closely linked to East German horticultural tradition – a living example of the connection between historic breeding artistry and modern sustainability.

     

      Appearance & Characteristics

    The plant grows indeterminately as a stake tomato and reaches a height of approximately 180 cm. It regularly produces side shoots and bears vigorous, medium-green foliage.

    Fruit details:

    • Size: Medium, approx. 50-70 g per fruit

    • Shape: Rounded, smooth-skinned

    • Color: Bright orange with uniform coloring

    • Texture: Juicy, soft flesh with crack-resistant skin

    • Flavor: Fruity-sweet, mild, with low acidity

     

     Usage & Cultivation Highlights

    The fruits of the tomato variety 'Auriga' can be sliced easily without falling apart – ideal for fresh salads, snacks, and as a mild tomato for children.

    Thanks to its robustness, this variety thrives reliably in protected outdoor beds, raised beds, and large containers. Even in changeable weather, fruit set remains stable, ensuring continuous yields. Compared to other indeterminate tomato varieties, 'Auriga' is especially easy to care for and forgiving of minor cultivation mistakes – perfect for beginners in tomato growing and for anyone who prefers low-maintenance varieties.

    Compared to other tomato varieties, Auriga impresses with its bright orange fruits rich in beta-carotene, its well-balanced sweet-spicy flavor, and reliable yield stability – ideal for those who appreciate historical, open-pollinated tomatoes with character and heritage.

    Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

    Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

    First mention:

    Recorded since 1980

    Breeder:

    Dr. Martin Stein

    Origin:

    Germany

    Propagation site:

    Lower Saxony – Germany

    Suitable for:

    Open field, Greenhouse, Polytunnel, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening, Vertical cultivation

    Care requirements:

    Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

    Overwintering:

    Not winter-hardy – can be cultivated outdoors as an annual. Can be overwintered in a greenhouse in mild climates.

    Suitability for cultivation and use:

    Summer crop, Peak season, Self-sufficiency, Biodiversity, Variety conservation, Direct marketing, Educational projects / School garden, Ornamental variety, Fresh consumption
    Plant_Growing_Instructions_-_Pflanzen_Anbau-Anleitung_-_Instrucoes_de_cultivo_de_plantas_-_www

    Cultivation guide for

    <tc>Auriga</tc>

    Growing difficulty:

    Easy
    • In subtropical climates, pre-cultivation is possible from January - transplant outdoors from March in full sun, once day and night temperatures remain consistently above 15 °C.
    • In temperate regions, start indoors from March – transplant outdoors in full sun from mid-May after the last frost.
    • Sow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich loamy soil - 0.5-1 cm deep. Plant spacing: 50 × 70 cm.

    Special features:

    High-yielding, Sun-loving / sunny

    Cultivation tips:

    • Cherry and other small tomato varieties are usually grown with two to three stems to promote air circulation and fruit development.
    • In temperate climates, a rain cover is recommended – a simple roof or plastic tunnel is sufficient.
    • A sturdy support structure with tomato hooks provides secure hold for the stems, boosts yield, and makes plant care easier.
    • When transplanting seedlings, plant them deep into the soil up to the base of the seed leaves – this encourages strong root development and supports healthy growth.
    • Consistent watering enhances fruit quality and promotes healthy plant growth.
    • At temperatures below 5 °C, plant growth slows significantly - cold stress can hinder development.
    • Regular harvesting encourages new fruit set and increases overall yield.
    • Biochar and rock dust improve soil structure and enhance the retention of nutrients and water.

    Storage instructions:

    Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.
    Detailed information on seed storage
    Plant_Profile_-_Pflanzen_Steckbrief_-_Ficha_da_planta_-_www

    Plant Profile

    Plant details

    Botanical name:

    <tc>Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Auriga'</tc>

    Growth habit:

    Upright growth, Indeterminate growth habit

    Botanical family:

    Solanaceae

    Plant height:

    180 cm

    Plant type:

    Fruit vegetables

    Plant width:

    50 cm

    Life cycle:

    Perennial

    Root type:

    Deep-rooted, Taprooted

    Cultivation period:

    5.5-7 months

    Hardy to:

    5 °C – suitable only for overwintering indoors or in a greenhouse.

    Cultural meaning:

    Historical, Traditional

    Propagation method:

    Generative propagation by seed, Propagation by cuttings in summer

    Propagation:

    • This tomato variety is self-pollinating but can also cross-pollinate via insects. It belongs to the species Solanum lycopersicum and produces bisexual flowers.
    • To ensure pure seed collection, it is recommended to maintain a minimum distance of 10–20 meters or more from other tomato varieties, as insect pollination can lead to unintended cross-pollination.
    • This tomato plant is perennial and forms clusters of flowers after blooming, which turn into fruit packed with seeds.
    • Tomato seeds are ready for harvest when the fruits are fully ripe and slightly soft to the touch.

    Sowing & Planting

    Germination

    Planting

    Germination type:

    Dark germinator, Warm germinator

    Pot culture:

    Requires a minimum container size of 15-20 liters.

    Sowing depth:

    0,5-1 cm

    Plant spacing:

    50 cm

    Germination temperature:

    22-28 °C

    Row spacing:

    70 cm

    Germination time:

    6-14 days

    Row spacing for baby leaf:

    Not suitable for baby-leaf cultivation.

    Pricking out / thinning out:

    Thin out seedlings within 2 weeks after the formation of the first true leaf pairs.

    Planting time:

    Tomatoes should be planted only after the last frost, once temperatures are consistently warm during the day and night. Tomato seedlings are ready to be planted outdoors about four weeks after potting up, once temperatures are consistently warm.

    Soil

    Soil type:

    Deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in humus

    Soil pH:

    6.0-6.8 - slightly acidic to neutral

    Nutrient requirements:

    Heavy feeder

    Soil moisture:

    Evenly moist, Sensitive to waterlogging

    Soil preparation:

    Loosen soil deeply before sowing, Apply compost before planting., Apply lime to acidic soil., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

    Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

    Companion plants:

    Bean, Carrot, Radish varieties, Onion, Garlic, Lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce, Spinach, Basil, Nasturtium, Calendula, Dill, Marjoram, Tagetes

    Incompatible plants:

    Eggplant, Physalis, Pepper / Chili pepper, Potato, Corn, Fennel, Pea, Beetroot, Celery, Cucurbits

    Crop rotation guidelines:

    • Do not plant after other nightshades – a minimum crop rotation interval of 3 years is recommended.
    • Repeated cultivation at the same site increases disease pressure, leads to nutrient depletion, and impairs soil structure.
    • Ideal previous crops include legumes, onions, root vegetables, and green manure – rotating crops supports healthy soil.
    • Crop rotation with low-nutrient-demanding plants is recommended to prevent soil fatigue and maintain healthy growing conditions.
    • Plan a green manure crop between heavy-feeding plants and this tomato variety to restore soil fertility.
    • Avoid planting directly after heavy-feeding crops – allow the soil to recover and replenish nutrients first.

    Harvest time:

    Summer, Autumn

    Sowing to harvest:

    4-5 months

    Harvested parts:

    Fruits

    Suitable for consumption:

    Yes - edible raw or cooked.

    Intended use:

    Salad, Raw consumption, Cooking, Pickling, To purée, Preserving, Diet cuisine, Low Carb

    Care & Cultivation practices

    Water requirements:

    High

    Plant care techniques:

    Water regularly - even during dry periods, Fertilize, Removing side shoots, Create a climbing support, Maintain weed-free, Inspect regularly for pest infestation

    Plant protection:

    Well-ventilated location and good drainage recommended., Mulching recommended

    Cultivation notes:

    May develop mildew in damp weather – an airy location is recommended. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

    Other names

    EN - English names:

    • Tomato

    DE - German names:

    • Salattomate

    PT - Portuguese names:

    • Tomate de salada

    ES - Spanish names:

    • Tomate ensalada

    FR - French names:

    • Tomate de salade • Tomate ronde
    Practical_Planting_and_Care_Tips_-_Praktische_Aussaat-_und_Pflegetipps_-_Dicas_praticas_de_sementeira_e_cuidados_-_www

    Practical sowing and care tips

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