How to Grow Takii Black Tomato
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Takii Black Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Takii Black'
vegetableTakii Black is a Japanese heirloom tomato variety known for its exceptionally dark, almost black skin with a deep maroon-black interior. The medium-sized fruits are round to slightly flattened and offer rich, complex flavor with sweet and slightly smoky notes. This variety combines ornamental appeal with excellent culinary qualities.
When should you plant Takii Black Tomato in your zone?
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Example Takii Black Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Takii Black 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 Takii Black Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Takii Black Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows as annual in cooler zones, can overwinter in warmer regions
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Get my Takii Black Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge 5-10 days after planting. First true leaves appear shortly after.
Provide bright light (grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings), keep soil moist but not soggy, maintain 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings if needed.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantPlants develop strong stems, multiple true leaves, and bushy growth. Roots establish deeply if transplants are hardened off properly.
Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant deeply (bury 2/3 of stem). Support with stakes or cages early. Pinch suckers on indeterminate varieties. Maintain consistent watering.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses) at leaf nodes. Flowers are self-pollinating and require good air circulation and light.
Continue consistent watering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer (promotes foliage over fruit). Apply balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Gently shake flowering stems to aid pollination on windless days.
Fruiting & Maturation
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits form and gradually enlarge. Color develops slowly—fruits turn from green to dark purple-black as they ripen. Interior becomes deep maroon.
Maintain steady watering (critical for even ripening and flavor). Prune excess foliage carefully to allow sunlight to reach fruit but protect from sunscald. Continue supporting heavy fruit-laden branches.
Harvest
Continuous, 2-3 months peak seasonFruits reach full dark color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Flavor is best when vine-ripened.
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft. Once first frost threatens, pick remaining fruits and ripen indoors at 70°F. Continue harvesting until frost kills plants.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily, introduce parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), or spinosad spray
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Yellow sticky traps, strong water spray, neem oil spray, insecticidal soap
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Increase humidity, strong water spray, neem oil, insecticidal miticide
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Use disease-resistant varieties, practice crop rotation (3-year minimum), remove infected plants, mulch soil
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Improve air circulation, water at soil level, remove lower leaves, apply sulfur or copper fungicide, destroy infected foliage
Uses
Gourmet slicing and salads
CulinaryThe striking dark color and complex flavor make Takii Black ideal for fresh eating, sliced tomato platters, and gourmet salads. The meaty texture and low seed count are excellent for sandwiches and upscale presentations. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe rich, slightly smoky flavor develops further when cooked into sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. The dark pigmentation indicates high antioxidant content. [source]
Antioxidant-rich food
MedicinalDark tomato varieties like Takii Black are particularly rich in lycopene, anthocyanins, and other phytonutrients associated with reduced disease risk and cardiovascular health. [source]
Ornamental kitchen garden
HouseholdThe visually striking dark fruits and robust plant make Takii Black an excellent choice for container gardens, raised beds, and decorative kitchen gardens that serve both aesthetic and culinary purposes. [source]
Seed saving and breeding
CraftAs a stable heirloom variety, Takii Black is excellent for seed saving and home breeding programs. Seeds come true-to-type when isolated from other tomato varieties. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Takii Black ripens relatively slowly compared to red varieties. Harvest when fruits are fully dark maroon-black and yield to gentle pressure—this indicates peak flavor and lycopene development. Vine-ripened fruit has superior taste. For early/late-season harvesting, pick mature green fruits and ripen indoors at 68-72°F in a paper bag with a ripe banana to accelerate ripening. Store at room temperature; refrigeration reduces flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Takii Black is a Japanese heirloom that has become increasingly popular in North America and Europe in the last two decades as interest in unusual tomato varieties has grown.
- 🌱 The dark coloration comes from high levels of anthocyanins and other flavonoid compounds—the same pigments that make blueberries blue and red cabbage purple.
- 🌱 Despite their dark appearance when ripe, Takii Black fruits are actually still quite warm-colored inside (maroon rather than true black), making them visually striking when sliced.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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