How to Grow Wynyabbie Gem
Wynyabbie Gem
Solanum lycopersicum 'Wynyabbie Gem'
vegetableWynyabbie Gem is an Australian heirloom tomato variety known for its small, deeply fluted fruit with rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate vine produces consistently throughout the season and is prized by gardeners for both taste and ornamental appeal. The name comes from the Wynyabbie area in New South Wales, Australia, where this variety originated.
When should you plant Wynyabbie Gem in your zone?
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Example Wynyabbie Gem timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wynyabbie Gem
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 Wynyabbie Gem
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wynyabbie Gem 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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Get my Wynyabbie Gem timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall cotyledon leaves emerge; true leaves develop within 2-3 weeks. Plant is delicate and pale green.
Provide bright light (16 hours daily under grow lights), maintain soil moisture, keep temperature 65-75°F, avoid overwatering to prevent damping off
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks from seedingPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and establishes robust root system. Stem thickens and branches begin forming. Plant grows 6-12 inches tall.
Ensure adequate light and air circulation, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions, support with small stakes if needed, maintain consistent watering
Flowering
Begins 6-8 weeks; flowers appear progressively throughout seasonFirst flower clusters appear at leaf axils, typically after 6-8 weeks. Yellow flowers with distinctive spiral arrangement develop along the vine.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to promote flowering over foliage, increase phosphorus and potassium, maintain consistent watering, gently shake plants to aid pollination on calm days
Fruiting
12-16 weeks from flowering to harvestSmall, round fruit develops at flower sites, initially green, then slowly ripens to deep red/burgundy. Deeply fluted, ribbed texture becomes apparent. Fruit size is 1.5-2.5 inches.
Provide consistent watering, mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature, remove lower leaves for air circulation, prune excessive suckers to focus energy on fruit, stake or trellis for support
Harvest & Maturity
8-12 weeks; extends until frostFruit reaches full color and flavor. Plant continues producing new flowers and fruit throughout season until first frost.
Harvest ripe fruit regularly to encourage continued production, pick fully ripe for best flavor, allow some fruit to mature on vine rather than harvesting green, maintain water consistency
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, inspect plants regularly
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Insecticidal soap, neem oil, yellow sticky traps, reflective mulch, encourage beneficial insects
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Spray with water to dislodge, neem oil, miticides, increase humidity, remove heavily infested leaves
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Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide or sulfur, stake for airflow
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Remove infected leaves, mulch, avoid wetting foliage, apply fungicide if severe, maintain plant spacing
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Maintain consistent soil moisture, ensure adequate calcium, mulch to regulate temperature, avoid low-calcium fertilizers
Uses
Fresh eating & heirloom cooking
CulinaryWynyabbie Gem tomatoes are prized for their deep, complex flavor with sweet and tangy notes, making them ideal for eating fresh in salads. Their small size and distinctive appearance make them popular for gourmet presentations and heirloom tomato dishes. [source]
Sauces & preserving
CulinaryThe concentrated flavor and dense flesh make these tomatoes excellent for making rich, flavorful sauces, pastes, and canned preserves. The high pectin content helps achieve good gel in marinara and tomato products. [source]
Drying & slow-roasting
CulinaryThe small fruit size and good sugar content make Wynyabbie Gems ideal candidates for slow-roasting or sun-drying to concentrate flavors. Dried versions are prized in specialty cooking. [source]
Ornamental gardening
HouseholdThe distinctive deeply fluted, ribbed appearance and prolific small fruit make this variety highly ornamental. Plants are attractive in containers or garden displays throughout the season. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe abundant small flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. The extended flowering period provides sustained forage for beneficial insects. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick tomatoes when fully colored and slightly soft to touch, ideally in morning after dew dries. For maximum flavor, allow fruit to ripen fully on the vine. Twist gently while supporting the stem. Can harvest slightly green fruit and ripen indoors at 68-70°F if frost threatens. Peak season typically mid-summer through early fall.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wynyabbie Gem is a true heirloom variety developed in the Wynyabbie region of New South Wales, Australia, and maintains characteristics prized since its original selection decades ago.
- 🌱 The deeply fluted, ribbed fruit characteristic is sometimes called 'corrugated' or 'ridged' and is genetically distinct from standard round tomatoes, affecting both appearance and how the fruit develops.
- 🌱 This indeterminate variety can produce prolifically until frost, with gardeners in warm climates sometimes harvesting from the same plant for 6-8 months or more.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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