How to Grow Tribute
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Tribute
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tribute'
vegetableTribute is a determinate (bush-type) tomato variety bred specifically for disease resistance and reliability in home gardens. It produces medium-sized, red, globe-shaped fruits with excellent flavor and crack resistance. This variety is particularly valued for its resistance to late blight and other common tomato diseases.
When should you plant Tribute in your zone?
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Example Tribute timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tribute
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 Tribute
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tribute dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-10; can be grown as annual in cooler zones with proper timing
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Get my Tribute timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves); true leaves develop within 1-2 weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings) for 14-16 hours daily. Maintain temperature around 70°F (21°C). Thin to strongest seedling if multiple germinate in one cell.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops several sets of true leaves and grows sturdy stem; ready for transplanting when 6-8 inches tall with 2-3 true leaf sets
Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Ensure adequate light to prevent leggy growth. Maintain consistent moisture. Transplant outdoors only after last frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches 60°F (16°C).
Flowering
2-3 weeks (ongoing throughout season)Yellow flower clusters appear along the main stem; flowers are self-pollinating. Determinate types begin flowering while still developing vegetative growth
Continue consistent watering and maintain calcium levels to prevent blossom end rot. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive leafy growth. Support with cages or stakes as plant grows. Provide balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) every 2-3 weeks.
Fruiting
4-6 weeks until harvest beginsGreen fruits develop where flowers were; grow larger and gradually turn red (or desired final color). Determinate types set most fruit within a concentrated period
Mulch around base with 2-3 inches of organic material to regulate soil temperature and moisture. Water deeply and consistently. Continue balanced fertilizing every 2-3 weeks. Prune lower leaves once fruit begins ripening to improve air circulation. Monitor for pests and diseases closely.
Harvest
3-4 weeks of active harvestFruits reach full size and mature color; full red for Tribute. Determinate varieties produce most fruit within 2-3 week window
Pick fruit at breaker stage (slight color change) or full ripe. Tribute is crack-resistant but still harvest regularly to prevent overripening. Remove any diseased or damaged fruit immediately. Continue harvesting until frost kills plant or disease pressure becomes too high.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; netting in severe cases
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce parasitic wasps; yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch
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Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; neem oil; sulfur spray; predatory mites
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Remove infected lower leaves; mulch to prevent soil splash; space plants for air circulation; copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; drip irrigation only
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Tribute has resistance; avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves/plants; copper fungicide; improve air circulation
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium (lime, gypsum, or crushed eggshells); mulch; avoid excessive nitrogen
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryTribute tomatoes offer excellent sweet flavor and firm texture ideal for slicing into salads or eating fresh off the vine. The medium size and low seed content make them perfect for sandwiches and casual snacking. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe concentrated flavor and meaty texture of Tribute make them excellent for homemade tomato sauce, salsa, and cooking applications. Higher solids content compared to some varieties reduces cooking time. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants associated with heart health and cancer prevention. Lycopene content increases when tomatoes are cooked. [source]
Preservation and canning
HouseholdTribute's reliable production and disease resistance make it an excellent choice for home canning, freezing, or making tomato paste and preserves throughout the season. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting broader ecosystem health while ensuring good fruit set on your plants. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest Tribute tomatoes when fully red and slightly soft to touch, typically 70-80 days after transplanting. Pick fruits individually at the mature stage to encourage continued production. Can pick at breaker stage (pale pink/orange tint) and ripen indoors. Tribute's crack resistance means you can wait for full ripeness without fruit splitting. Harvest regularly to promote further flowering and fruiting. In late season, pick all remaining fruit before first frost and ripen indoors in cool, dark location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tribute was bred by Cornell University specifically for disease resistance to late blight and other tomato diseases, making it an excellent choice for organic gardeners and those in humid regions.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are botanically berries, not vegetables, and their red color comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that actually increases in concentration after cooking.
- 🌱 The determinate (bush) growth habit of Tribute means all fruit typically ripens within a 2-3 week window, making it ideal for canning or preserving large batches at once.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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