How to Grow White Surprise
Wikimedia Commons
White Surprise
Solanum lycopersicum 'White Surprise'
vegetableWhite Surprise is a determinate heirloom tomato variety producing small to medium-sized white or pale cream-colored fruits with a mild, sweet flavor. The fruits have a delicate appearance and are prized for their unique color and subtle taste, making them excellent for fresh eating and culinary presentation.
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Example White Surprise timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant White Surprise
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 White Surprise
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact White Surprise dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 cotyledons and emerging true leaves, pale green coloring
Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-75°F temperature. Thin or transplant when first true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy determinate growth with dark green compound leaves developing along the main stem; no flowers yet
Continue light fertilization. Provide sturdy support as plants grow. Monitor for pests. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences); plant is compact and stocky
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; switch to phosphorus-rich formula to encourage fruit set. Maintain consistent watering. Gently shake plants or use bees to improve pollination.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall, pale white or cream-colored fruits develop and gradually enlarge; flowers continue on determinate plants
Maintain consistent watering to prevent splitting and cracking. Apply balanced fertilizer. Provide support to prevent branch breakage. Watch for blossom-end rot.
Harvest
2-3 weeks of continuous harvestFruits turn from green to creamy white; fully ripe fruits are soft when gently pressed
Harvest when fully colored and fragrant. Can pick at breaker stage and ripen indoors if frost threatens. Continue harvesting regularly to encourage more fruit.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage beneficial wasps
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, use yellow sticky traps, encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil or miticide if severe
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Remove infected lower leaves, improve air circulation, apply copper fungicide, avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected foliage, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply fungicide if necessary
Uses
Fresh salads and garnish
CulinaryWhite Surprise tomatoes add visual interest and a mild, sweet flavor to salads, caprese dishes, and fresh salsas. Their pale color creates striking presentations in gourmet cooking and plating. [source]
Slicing and sandwiches
CulinaryThe tender skin and delicate flesh make these excellent for fresh slicing on sandwiches, bruschetta, and charcuterie boards where their subtle sweetness complements other ingredients. [source]
Table decoration
HouseholdThe unique white coloring makes these tomatoes attractive for food styling, centerpieces, and culinary presentation. Their pale hue photographs beautifully and serves as a conversation starter. [source]
Seed saving
CulinaryAs a determinate heirloom variety, White Surprise is well-suited for seed saving and can produce viable seeds for next season's planting, preserving the cultivar. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, White Surprise contains lycopene and other antioxidants beneficial for heart health and cellular protection, though the white pigmentation indicates different polyphenol profiles than red 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
Harvest when fruits are fully white or pale cream-colored and slightly soft to the touch. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. For storage, harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors at room temperature. White varieties are best enjoyed fresh within 2-3 days of ripening for optimal flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 White Surprise is a relatively rare heirloom variety with pale cream to white fruits, making it a novelty in most home gardens and farmer's markets compared to traditional red tomatoes.
- 🌱 The white coloring in these tomatoes indicates the absence of lycopene and beta-carotene, instead containing unique flavonoid compounds that contribute to their distinctive mild, sweet taste.
- 🌱 White tomato varieties were nearly lost to extinction as commercial agriculture shifted to red varieties, making heirloom white varieties like White Surprise valuable for genetic diversity preservation.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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