Cherry Tomato
Sunrise Bumble Bee is a luminous heirloom cherry tomato that lives up to its name, with oblong fruits swirled in reds and oranges both inside and out. Each tiny tomato weighs barely an ounce and often displays a distinctive beak at the blossom end, giving it genuine character. Reaching maturity in just 70 days, this indeterminate variety thrives in zones 3 through 11 and rewards gardeners with a sweet, fruity flavor that chefs have embraced as part of the celebrated Artisan series.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual, Perennial
Moderate
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The luminous color combination of reds and oranges that appears both on the skin and throughout the flesh sets this variety apart visually, while the small, oblong shape and occasional pronounced beak give each fruit personality. At barely an ounce per tomato, these are the kind of jewel-like fruits that make you want to eat them straight off the vine rather than into a basket. The quick 70-day maturity means you'll be harvesting within weeks of warm weather arriving, and the sweet, fruity taste delivers complexity that belies the tiny package.
These small, sweet cherry tomatoes are best enjoyed fresh off the vine or halved into salads where their jewel-like appearance and concentrated flavor shine. Their size and presentation make them particularly appealing for charcuterie boards, fresh garnishes, or any preparation where individual fruits can showcase their distinctive swirled coloring.
Start seeds indoors in warm conditions between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will sprout in 5 to 10 days. Sow at a depth of 1/8 inch and keep soil consistently moist until germination. Begin seeds 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date to give transplants adequate size and strength.
Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting out. Transplant only after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 18 inches apart in full sun locations.
Harvest fruits when they display full red and orange coloring throughout. The fruits will feel slightly soft to gentle pressure when ripe. Since they mature quickly and ripen over an extended season on indeterminate plants, plan to harvest every few days at peak ripeness. These small tomatoes are best picked and eaten immediately, though they'll store for several days at room temperature.
As an indeterminate variety, Sunrise Bumble Bee will continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season. Pruning suckers (shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches) will encourage more energy into fruit production and improve air circulation around the dense foliage. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to further enhance air flow and reduce disease pressure.
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