- Sunviva: Profile
- What are open source tomatoes?
- Sunviva: origin and history of the open source tomato
- Flavour & Characteristics of Tomato Variety 'Sunviva'
- Planting and caring for Sunviva tomatoes: This is important to note
- Harvesting and using Sunviva tomatoes
- Sunviva: How to propagate the open source tomato
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The 'Sunviva' variety is something very special: it is the first open source tomato on the market. You can find out what that means and how to plant Sunviva tomatoes in your own garden here.
The sunny yellow 'Sunviva' is the first tomato variety that is protected by open source licensing. In this portrait you can find out exactly what that means, what makes the 'Sunviva' special and how best to cultivate the outdoor tomato.
Sunviva: Profile
| Fruit | Cherry tomato, sunny yellow |
| Flavour | fruity, aromatic, sweet |
| Maturity | early |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | Greenhouse, Outdoor, Pot |
What are open source tomatoes?
The open source movement, roughly translated as "free access", works against the restrictive seed policies and commercialization of varieties of recent years. The reason for this was, among other things, the attempt by the company Monsanto to patent a tomato variety as its own “invention”, which has meanwhile failed. In addition, hybrid varieties and those from large breeding companies have mostly entered the variety register in recent years. Most of these varieties also have a patent and are not allowed to be propagated further or processed by breeding, subject to heavy fines. Open source opposes the granting of patents for the licensed varieties. These varieties are bred by private individuals or communities and, as a cultural asset, are expressly intended to be improved by other hobby breeders. An open source license prevents anyone from patenting the strain or its progeny. The variety is said to be passed on and given away non-commercially, just as gardeners have done for thousands of years.
Sunviva: origin and history of the open source tomato
The 'Sunviva' is the first tomato variety from the open source movement, and the second variety on the list at all. It was developed jointly in a project for field tomatoes in 2022 at the University of Göttingen. Since then, Culinaris has propagated the variety forhobby gardeners and shops. You can get the seeds for the 'Sunviva' online or in assorted seed shops.
Flavour & Characteristics of Tomato Variety 'Sunviva'
The plants of the 'Sunviva' variety reach a height of up to 200 centimetres. It is one of the early-ripening varieties that ripen from mid to late July. The round, sun-yellow fruits are about the size of cherry tomatoes and weigh an average of 20 grams. As with most yellow tomato varieties, the taste of 'Sunviva' is fruity, aromatic and sweet. The Sunviva tomato is also highly resistant to tomato late blight and late blight (Phytophthora infestans).
Planting and caring for Sunviva tomatoes: This is important to note
The 'Sunviva' was specially adapted to cultivation in unprotected outdoor areas, so it is best suited for the bed, even without rain protection. She also feels at home in pots with a capacity of at least 8 liters. From mid-May, the young tomato plants can be planted outside. A potting soil specially adapted to tomatoes, such as our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, is not only suitable for balcony tomatoes, but also for use in beds. With its high compost content, it promotes microorganisms and has a positive effect on the soil structure. The tomato soil also provides the 'Sunviva' with all the necessary nutrients in the first few weeks after planting. After planting, the tall, sun-yellow tomato should be supported and tied. Don't forget to water the young plants, only watering directly on the trunk.
As a cherry tomato, 'Sunviva' can easily be grown with three or four shoots. For this you leave a few deep-seated side shoots on the plant, the rest is pinched out. Watering and mulching tomatoes is particularly important outdoors. In summer, the soil can be protected from drying out with a layer of mulch, so that you have to water significantly less. Soil organisms such as earthworms and the like also benefit from a vegetable mulch layer that serves as food. Tomatoes like the 'Sunviva' are heavy consumers, which means they need large amounts of nutrients in order to bear plenty of fruit and stay he althy. A primarily organic slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertiliser, is ideal for covering the need. This is superficially worked into the soil layer. There, the granules are slowly decomposed and the nutrients they contain supply themTomato plants evenly over a long period of time.
Harvesting and using Sunviva tomatoes
From July you can enjoy the ripe Sunviva tomatoes for the first time. The fruity cherry tomatoes are best eaten raw or cut into salads. But the all-round tomato 'Sunviva' can also be used for drying and cooking.
Sunviva: How to propagate the open source tomato
The 'Sunviva' is propagated in the same way as all other open-pollinated varieties. Take the most beautiful fruits of the variety, cut them in half and scoop out the seeds. After drying, keep the seeds dry and cool. For a detailed guide on how to get tomato seeds, see our special article.
Criticism of so-called hybrid varieties is raised again and again, while others no longer want to do without the robust varieties. But what is the truth about the prejudices and how is the hybrid seed actually created? Learn more in our article.