How to Grow Performer Tomato
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Performer Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Performer'
vegetablePerformer is a hybrid determinate tomato variety bred for disease resistance and reliable production in challenging conditions. It produces medium-sized, firm fruits with excellent flavor and shelf life, making it popular for both home gardeners and commercial growers. The plants are compact and bushy, ideal for containers or small spaces.
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Example Performer Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Performer Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Performer Tomato
Around Jun 24≈ 68 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Performer Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; grows as annual in most regions
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge, then first true leaves develop. Plants are fragile and small.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Maintain temperature around 70-75°F. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlants develop sturdy stems and multiple sets of true leaves. Growth is rapid and bushy. No flowers yet.
Harden off transplants by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions before planting. In garden, remove lower leaves once plant is established to improve air circulation. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences) at leaf axils. Plant continues growing but begins to branch and fill out.
Once flowers appear, switch to lower nitrogen fertilizer (higher in phosphorus and potassium, e.g., 5-10-10) to encourage fruiting. Maintain consistent watering. Support plant with stakes or cages.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksFlowers develop into small green fruits that grow rapidly. Performer produces compact clusters of medium fruits (5-8 oz each).
Support heavy fruit clusters with string or cages. Prune selectively (some side shoots only for determinate types) to avoid over-shading. Continue regular watering and fertilizing every 3 weeks. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Harvest
4-6 weeks or until frostFruits turn glossy red and develop full color. They're firm and release easily from the vine when ripe.
Pick fruits at 'breaker stage' (first color change) or full red. Performer fruits store well at room temperature. Remove fruit to encourage continued production. In fall, harvest all mature fruit before first frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early in morning or evening. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for young caterpillars. Encourage beneficial wasps.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on leaf undersides. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Increase humidity with regular misting. Spray with water forcefully to dislodge. Use neem oil or predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) if severe.
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Performer has good resistance (VF rating); ensure good drainage and air circulation. Remove infected plants. Sanitize tools between cuts.
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Prune lower leaves and improve air flow. Apply copper fungicide preventatively. Remove and destroy affected foliage promptly.
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Remove infected leaves. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Avoid overhead watering. Space plants well for air circulation.
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryPerformer tomatoes have excellent flavor and firm texture, making them ideal for fresh consumption, slicing for salads and sandwiches, and general cooking applications. Their medium size and good shelf life make them practical for both home cooks and market gardeners. [source]
Sauces and preservation
CulinaryThe firm texture and good sugar content make Performer suitable for sauce-making, canning, and other preservation methods. They hold their shape well during cooking. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, along with vitamins C and A, potassium, and other beneficial compounds. Regular consumption of fresh tomatoes supports heart health and overall wellness. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs a hybrid variety, Performer seeds won't produce identical plants if saved, but gardeners can still save and plant them for experimental crosses or backup genetics. It's better to purchase fresh hybrid seed annually for consistent results. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems while ensuring fruit set in the garden. The flowers provide nectar and pollen sources. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Performer tomatoes can be harvested at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) or at full red ripeness. Pick fruits gently by twisting and pulling, or cut with a knife to avoid damaging the vine. The determinate (bush) variety produces most fruit within a concentrated period, typically 3-4 weeks. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In cooler climates, pick all mature green fruit before the first frost and ripen indoors at 68-72°F away from direct sunlight.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Performer is a hybrid variety developed to thrive in challenging growing conditions, with strong disease resistance to Fusarium wilt (F), Verticillium wilt (V), and early blight, making it one of the most reliable tomatoes for humid climates.
- 🌱 The name 'Performer' reflects its consistent, dependable production even in suboptimal conditions—it was specifically bred for commercial growers and home gardeners in areas with high disease pressure.
- 🌱 Tomatoes can be ripened off the vine by placing them in a paper bag with a banana or apple (which emit ethylene gas), allowing gardeners to harvest green fruit before frost and still enjoy ripe tomatoes indoors.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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