Auriga#501

Auriga tomato (Solanum lycopersicum “Auriga”):

Overview & Origin

• The name Auriga means “charioteer” in Latin. A salad tomato with a well-loved reputation for taste, yield, and resistance to cracking.
• Developed in the 1970s in East Germany by Dr. Martin Stein in Quedlinburg, though some sources suggest it may derive from older Russian, Hungarian, or Swiss lines. It’s accepted that it’s not of Swiss origin despite occasional claims.

Fruit Characteristics

• Size & Appearance: Round to slightly oblong small fruit, typically weighing 60–90 g (2–3 oz), around 6 cm diameter. Clusters usually have 4–9 fruits.
• Color: Bright golden‑orange to saffron‑yellow skin.
• Flavor and Texture: Juicy, firm flesh with a sweet‑tangy, almost melon-like quality. Rich beta‑carotene gives an orange flesh interior.
• Crack-resistance: Notably burst-resistant, even under irregular watering or heavy rain.

Plant and Growth Habits

• Growth type: Indeterminate (vining)—continual growth and fruiting throughout the season, reaching around 120–200 cm height (4–7 ft). Requires staking or trellising.
• Maturity: Typically 65–80 days from transplant; often sold as mid-season (60–75 days) depending on source.
• Sun & soil: Prefers full sun (6–8 hours/day) and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
• Planting & Care Guidelines

• Sowing: Start seeds indoors 6–10 weeks before last frost, planting at 0.2–1 cm (1/8–1/4″) depth. Germination typically lasts 7–14 days at 18–24 °C (64–75 °F).
• Transplant: Move outdoors when night temperatures stay above ~10 °C (50 °F). Space plants 50–75 cm apart, depending on pruning and support.
• Support & pruning: Stake or cage the vines. Optional de‑sucking: leave 1–3 main stems to balance growth and fruit size versus yield.
• Watering & feeding: Maintain consistent moisture to prevent cracking; fertilize moderately, especially with balanced tomato feed. Avoid overwatering.

Yield, Use & Nutritional Notes

• Harvest: Produces heavy yields of fruit across the season. Fruits hold well on the vine.
• Culinary use: Excellent fresh in salads, sandwiches, or for snacking. The firm texture and high pigment make it suitable for sauces and juices with vibrant color.
• Nutrition: Rich in beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) and other antioxidants.