Solanum lycopersicum ‘Celebrity’
The F1 hybrid plant Celebrity tomato was first produced in the USA by Colen Wyatt with the seeds being commercially distributed in the late 1980s by PetoSeed Co., today Seminis Vegetable Seeds. In 1984, the plant was judged by various experts in the field of horticulture and recognized as a recipient of the All-America Selections award due to its favorable characteristics compared to other tomato cultivars. This tomato cultivar remains a popular choice for gardeners and is the standard by which tomatoes are judged.
Exposure: Full sun exposure is required for optimum production.
Size: Height — Plant is determinant though it is thought by some to be semi-determinate as it will easily attain 4 to 6 feet in height.
Plant type: Perennial, but grown as an annual in Texas due to cold.
Planting time: Best as transplants in early spring. Can be planted in mid-summer for fall harvest though white flies and virus hinder production.
Soil type: Almost any well drained soil.
Suggested uses: Vigorous plants typically produce 20 or more very plump, robust tomatoes. Fruits weigh approximately 8 oz. and are 4 inches across. Plants need caging or staking, and produce fruit throughout the growing season. Plants are resistant to Fusarium wilt races I and 2, Verticillium wilt, Tobacco mosaic virus and Root-knot nematode. The root-knot resistance is significant as very few tomatoes have this tolerance today.
Special notes: Celebrity fruit are resistant to cracking and splitting which usually occurs when there is an excess of water and sugar movement in the fruits. Tomatoes do continue to ripen after being picked and are typically harvested when they start to “break” or change color.
The red tomato is listed on most nutritional lists as a superfood. It is packed with the antioxidant vitamins A and C, potassium and the B vitamins for heart health, and a carotenoid called lycopene.
AgriLife Today article: “Celebrity tomato latest Texas Superstar: Variety sets standard, good for beginner gardeners”
