The funny name of the tomato variety describes the oblong fruits quite well. How to plant and care for the Andean squirrel tomato in the garden, read our article.
The 'Andean Squirrel' bottle tomato is world-famous and a popular outdoor tomato because of its vigorous growth and aromatic taste. We introduce you to the unusually shaped tomato in the profile.
Andean Squirrel: Profile
| Synonyms | 'Cornue des Andes', 'Red Bull's Horn', 'Andean Horn' |
| Fruit | Beefsteak tomato; deep red |
| Flavour | fruity, sweet, aromatic |
| Maturity | late |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | protected field, pot |
Origin and history of the tomato
The 'Andean squirrel' originally comes from the Peruvian Andes, where it was grown by local farmers and self-sufficient people. It came to Europe via France, which probably also coined its synonymous name 'Cornue des Andes' (French for "Andean horn"). In Germany it is also known as the 'Red Bull's Horn'. The 'Andean squirrel' is probably a very old variety that is now enjoying global popularity.
Description and taste of the ‘Andean Squirrel’ tomato variety
The plants of the 'Andean Squirrel' variety grow slender and reach a height of about two meters. The foliage is strikingly dark green. The tomatoes of the 'Andean Squirrel' ripen late, from the end of August the bushes are full of fruit. The oblong fruits, reminiscent of pointed peppers, turn deep red when ripe. They reach a length of up to 15 centimeters and weigh about 300 grams. You can harvest the 'Andean squirrel' until the end of the season at the beginning of November. Fruits that are not yet ripe ripen well indoors. The taste of the Andean squirrel tomato is fruity, sweet and aromatic. Inside there is a noticeable amount of pulp, little juice and seeds. This makes it an ideal processing tomato, similar to the ‘San’ varietyMarzano'. The 'Andean squirrel' is firm to seeds. Therefore, you can harvest tomato seeds from this variety and sow them again next year.
Planting and caring for Andean squirrels: This is important to note
The 'Andean squirrel' is a robust outdoor tomato that likes it warm. Therefore, it prefers a sheltered location with lots of sun, optionally in a large pot. From mid-May, the 'Cornue des Andes' is allowed to move outdoors. If you keep them in a bucket, you should choose a potting soil suitable for tomatoes, such as our Plantura tomato and vegetable soil. It already contains all the essential nutrients that the young Andean squirrel tomatoes need for he althy growth and their typical dark green leaf colour. The plants should sit deep in the pot, removing leaves that are too deep. After planting, watering should be done so that the delicate roots get good contact with the new substrate.
In pots and as outdoor tomatoes the large-growing Andean squirrel tomato needs good support. Twisted metal rods or thin wooden sticks are ideal for this. The 'Andean squirrel' does not require any special care, but it does benefit from a protective layer of mulch in the bed. You can find out how to properly mulch and water tomatoes in our special article. This saves a lot of water and supports soil life. The 'Andean squirrel' forms quite large fruits - so it is best to train them with just one shoot. When pruning tomatoes, you should pay attention to fruit size and plant growth and then remove excess side shoots from the leaf axils.
From June the 'Andean squirrels' get a real growth spurt, form leaves, flowers and finally fruit. For this, the plum tomatoes need a lot of nutrients and so a first fertilization is recommended. With a primarily organic slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertiliser, you provide your plants with all the important minerals in a balanced and long-term manner. The nutrients are released slowly, protecting the soil life and plant roots and at the same time ensuring vigorous green tomato plants.
Harvesting and Using Squirrel Tomatoes
The less juicy fruits of the Andean squirrel tomato are particularly good for sauces and ketchup. By drying the sliced fruit, you can have a deliciousStock up on sun fruits for the cold season. But of course the Andean squirrel tomato also tastes good fresh from the plant, as a handy snack with lunch or in tomato salads.
Is the tomato harvest huge this year and you don't know what to do with all the fruit? Introducing recipes and methods for drying and preserving tomatoes.