Characteristics and description of the Basque Blue tomato

The Bosque Blue tomato is a mid-season, semi-determinate variety bred in the USA in 2012. It is still rare in our country; in some catalogues, it can be found under names such as Bosky Blue, Blue Forest, and Bosque Blue.

Tomatoes have a unique color, changing as they ripen, from dark green and deep blue to reddish-yellow or orange. The fruits are rich in anthocyanin, which has antibacterial properties and is beneficial for vision. Let's explore the key characteristics and growing guidelines for the Basque Blue tomato.

Description of the Basque Blue tomato

In regions with a temperate and warm climate, this variety can be grown outdoors. In cooler cities with unstable weather conditions, it is planted in greenhouses. The first harvest occurs 120–125 days after germination.

Characteristics of the bush and fruits

In open ground, the crown height by the end of the growing season does not exceed one and a half meters. In a greenhouse, the plant can stretch up to 250 cm. The leaves are regular and ordinary; initially, they are green with a blue tint, which fades over time. The bush develops very quickly, is massive, strong, and well-branched.

The first cluster appears above the sixth or seventh leaf, with subsequent clusters forming every two to three leaves. The clusters are beautiful, elongated, and contain up to eight fruits, sometimes up to ten. Flowering and the regular set of tomatoes continues until the first autumn frosts.

The variety is highly resistant to the most common crop diseases and is unattractive to pests. Basque Blue tomato requires high light levels and tolerates short-term temperature drops to 7 degrees Celsius, but has very weak drought tolerance.

The fruits are fleshy, round, and uniform in size, weighing between 30 and 100 grams. The tomatoes are pinkish-red in cross-section. There are no more than two seed chambers, and numerous seeds. When fully ripe, the tomatoes are reddish-orange underneath, and the shoulders are blue-violet.

The pink-red flesh is juicy and tender, with a very pleasant tomato-like flavor—sweet with a subtle acidity and fruity aroma. The skin is smooth and firm, but if improperly watered or if the fruit is overripe, there's a risk of cracking.

Use and yield

Fresh Basque Blue tomatoes are not only amazingly delicious but also very healthy. Their anthocyanin content is comparable to that of blueberries. This variety is also suitable for various processing purposes. This tomato is not suitable for drying.

The overall yield is quite high, but it can only be expressed in approximate figures. On average, a single plant produces at least 5-7 kilograms of tomatoes over the entire season.

The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Basque Blue tomato has many advantages. While reviews of this rare variety are still limited, they are generally positive:

• high crop yields in almost all regions of Russia;
• excellent appearance of fruits, good taste and versatility in use;
• Extended fruiting period, harvesting continues until late autumn. Unripe tomatoes can be left to ripen;
• resistance to low temperatures, viruses, fungi and pests;
• You can collect the seeds yourself and they store well;
• unpretentiousness, ease of cultivation.

The variety also has some disadvantages:

• tendency of fruits to crack;
• poor resistance to heat and drought.

It's worth noting that if you choose the right growing conditions for a given region and follow agricultural advice, no problems will arise.

How to Grow Basque Blue Tomatoes

Seeds should be sown 65 or 70 days before the intended planting date (usually from late February to mid-March). The exact date is determined based on the weather conditions in the region and the growing conditions. Seeds, soil, and containers should be prepared in advance. The seeds should be sorted, treated, and soaked in a nutrient mixture. Soil taken from the garden or orchard should be disinfected using any convenient method.

Seedlings are grown according to the same rules as any other variety. Gardeners often prune tomato seedlings when transplanting, but this is not recommended for Basque Blue tomatoes. Hardening off seedlings is essential for this variety.

Planting and care

No more than four seedlings are planted per square meter, and they are trained into three or four trunks. Trellis or stakes are installed in advance, and the bush needs to be tied up as it grows. The Basque Blue tomato planting site should be open and preferably wind-free; even slight shade will have a negative effect.

When removing side shoots, leave small stumps. Leaves at the base of the bush are trimmed, and the crown can be left untrimmed. Hilling isn't particularly necessary, but weeds should be removed promptly before they attract pests. Loosen the soil occasionally. Water once or twice a week. During particularly hot periods, cover the soil with a thick layer of mulch and provide the bushes with extra moisture.

Fertilize Basque Blue tomatoes regularly (every 15-20 days), using organic and mineral fertilizers. Be careful with nitrogen fertilizers; use them only when absolutely necessary.

Basque Blue is an excellent variety; planting and growing it are absolutely hassle-free. Care is standard, making this tomato easy to manage even for a novice gardener. Disease immunity is maintained even when planted in unfavorable conditions.

Reviews

Natalia. I received the seeds in a package with a different variety. While growing the seedlings, I noticed two of the plants had a strange blue tint. I didn't throw them away; I was curious to see what would grow. In three years, I haven't regretted my decision once. The tomatoes are productive, very tasty, and beautiful. The plants are strong and grow very quickly; unripe tomatoes are almost black. The variety is not prone to disease and tolerates sudden changes in day and night temperatures well.

Vitaly. I don't really like blue tomatoes; I prefer pink and red ones. I bought Basque Blue just out of curiosity, and surprisingly, I liked it. It has a very rich, pleasant tomato flavor. I live in the Moscow region, and we plant this variety in a greenhouse. We harvest it last each season, but the bush is still covered in fruit. This year, I want to plant a few tomatoes outside; they say the tomatoes set fruit earlier in these conditions.