Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal' (Tomato 'Black Opal')

Botanical name

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal'

Other names

Tomato 'Black Opal', Cherry tomato 'Black Opal'

Genus

Lycopersicon Lycopersicon

Variety or Cultivar

'Black Opal' _ 'Black Opal' is a vigorous, trailing, tender perennial widely cultivated as an annual, with pinnate, toothed, hairy, aromatic, dark green leaves and clusters of yellow flowers throughout summer are followed by small, ovoid, glossy, edible, dark reddish-brown to burgundy fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Trailing

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Eelworm (stem and bulb) , Mice , Red spider mite (box and other) , Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Anthracnose diseases , Basal rot , Black rot , Blossom end rot , Foot and root rot , Grey mould , Mosaic virus , Powdery mildew , Sclerotinia diseases , Verticillium wilt

General care

Pruning

Fertilization is essential, so never remove the male flowers. Provide strong, upright support & tie in regularly. Remove side shoots as they appear & restrict the plant to one main stem. Remove growing tips of in late summer to hasten ripening.

Propagation

Surface sow under glass at 15-20C from late winter to mid-spring. Transplant when seedlings have 2 true leaves & grow on at 15C. Select sturdy, dark green seedlings. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. 16-18 weeks to maturity.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal' (Tomato 'Black Opal') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Beds and borders, Add to salads, Flavouring food and drinks, Greenhouse

Cultivation

Prepare ground in winter, working it over & adding manure or compost. Plant out after danger of frost has passed in a sheltered, sunny site in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Water & feed regularly.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal' (Tomato 'Black Opal')

Common pest name

; Black wood of grapevine; Female sterility of tobacco; Fruit woodiness of tomato; Maize Redness; Mal azul of tomato; Metabolbur; Metastolbur; Parastolbur; Purple top of potato; Stolbur of potato; Stolbur of tobacco; Stolbur of tomato

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma which potentially affects a wide host range; determined by the feeding behaviour of vectors. First UK outbreak in 2014; on strawberry; a host not specifically regulated in EU legislation. This legislation should be reviewed to take account of this and other developments.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal' (Tomato 'Black Opal')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Black Opal' (Tomato 'Black Opal')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Xiphinema bakeri

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode pest; could potentially affect trees and other species if introduced but many pathways regulated. No evidence of interceptions or findings to date.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/