Tomato Bella Seeds

Bella (Solanum lycopersicum, family Solanaceae) is a compact determinate tomato with round, glossy red fruit of 150–200 g that ripens in a concentrated flush. The packet holds 10 seeds.

Also known as: Tomato, Tamatar (Hindi), Thakkali (Tamil, Malayalam), Tamata (Telugu), Tomate (Spanish, French, German, Portuguese), Pomodoro (Italian), Domates (Turkish), Pomidor (Polish), Fanqie (Chinese).

Fruit and plant

• Determinate, compact plant that fits containers and raised beds
• Uniform round fruit, 150–200 g, glossy red skin
• Firm flesh with low water content; keeps well after picking
• Classic, mildly sweet taste for slicing, sauce, canning and drying

Sow into soil at 16–29 °C

Tomato seed germinates well when the soil stays in its optimum range of 16–29 °C. At 20–30 °C seedlings typically appear in 6–8 days. Indoors, cover the seed with 3–6 mm of seed-starting mix. These figures are typical for the species, not a test of this packet.

Growing on

Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost and plant out after the risk of frost has passed, 40–50 cm apart. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil, water regularly, mulch and feed now and then.

When to expect fruit

Fruit ripens about 65–70 days after transplanting. Because the plant is determinate, most of the crop comes at once rather than over the whole season.

What you get

One packet of 10 seeds of Bella. Tomato seed typically stays usable for 4 years or more when kept cool, dark and dry, so seed you do not sow this season can wait for the next.

FAQ

Is Bella good for canning?

Yes. The fruit is uniform, firm and low in water, and the crop ripens together, so a canning or drying batch can be picked at one time.

Will Bella grow in a pot?

It is a compact plant suited to containers and raised beds; space plants 40–50 cm apart in a bed.