How to Grow Xtreme White Tomato
Xtreme White Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Xtreme White'
vegetableXtreme White is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety producing large, pale ivory to creamy white fruits with excellent flavor and low acidity. The fruits are meaty and sweet, making them prized for fresh eating and specialty culinary applications. This variety is relatively rare and offers a striking visual contrast in the garden.
When should you plant Xtreme White Tomato in your zone?
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Example Xtreme White Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Xtreme White 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 Xtreme White Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Xtreme White Tomato 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 techniques
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Get my Xtreme White Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny sprouts emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves), followed by the first true leaves. Growth is slow and delicate.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain soil moisture, keep temperature at 70-75°F. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off. Transplant to larger pots at first true leaf stage.
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingStrong stem growth, expanding foliage, and root development. Plant becomes bushy with multiple branch nodes. Indeterminate varieties continue growing throughout the season.
Provide stakes or cages early. Remove lower leaves once plant is established. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Harden off transplants before moving outdoors.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters at leaf axils. Flowers are small and self-fertile. Pollination occurs via wind or insect activity.
Maintain consistent watering. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer. Gently shake flowers on calm days to aid pollination. Ensure adequate light and air circulation.
Fruiting
6-8 weeksTiny green fruits form at flower sites and gradually enlarge. Fruits remain green for 6-8 weeks before turning pale ivory/white and developing full flavor.
Water deeply and consistently; avoid fluctuations. Prune suckers on indeterminate varieties to direct energy to fruit. Support heavy fruit clusters with twine or clips. Monitor for pests and disease.
Harvest & Maturity
Throughout season; harvest starts 12-15 weeks after transplantingFruits fully mature to creamy white or pale ivory with possible pinkish undertones near the stem. Skin becomes softer, fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure. Flavor reaches peak sweetness.
Harvest at full color for best flavor. Pick in early morning. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Continue watering and fertilizing to support later fruit. For indeterminate varieties, continue pruning and harvesting until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars early morning or dusk. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Encourage parasitoid wasps. Monitor for droppings on leaves.
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Use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Install yellow sticky traps. Increase air circulation. Spray undersides of leaves weekly.
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Increase humidity and air circulation. Spray with water to dislodge. Use neem oil or horticultural oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Remove lower infected leaves. Ensure good air circulation. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Apply copper fungicide or sulfur. Avoid overhead watering.
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Remove infected leaves immediately. Apply copper fungicide at first sign. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Destroy infected plants.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture and calcium levels. Add crushed eggshells or lime to soil. Mulch to regulate moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
Uses
Fresh eating and heirloom slicing
CulinaryXtreme White tomatoes are prized for fresh eating due to their exceptional, mild sweet flavor and low acidity that appeals to those who find red tomatoes too acidic. Slice thick for salads, sandwiches, or serve as the centerpiece of a tomato course. [source]
Specialty sauces and soups
CulinaryThe low acidity and meaty flesh make Xtreme White ideal for creating delicate, cream-based tomato soups and specialty sauces that showcase subtle flavors without the characteristic red tomato tartness. [source]
Garden aesthetics and visual interest
HouseholdThe striking pale ivory to white fruit provides unique visual contrast in the garden and on the plate, making it a specialty variety for ornamental vegetable gardens and heirloom collections. [source]
Lycopene and antioxidant content
MedicinalWhile white tomatoes have lower lycopene than red varieties, they still contain beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients, with some white varieties offering unique flavor profiles that may enhance nutrient absorption when consumed with healthy fats. [source]
Seed saving and heirloom preservation
CraftXtreme White is an open-pollinated indeterminate variety suitable for seed saving, allowing gardeners to preserve this rare heirloom variety and maintain genetic diversity in home gardens. [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 colored (creamy white) and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Early morning harvest preserves flavor and reduces bruising. For indeterminate varieties, continue harvesting throughout the season until frost. Fruits will ripen off the vine if picked at the 'breaker stage' (when pale color just begins to show). Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate as it diminishes flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 White and pale yellow tomato varieties are increasingly rare in modern agriculture, making heirloom white tomatoes like Xtreme White valuable to seed saving organizations and heirloom enthusiasts.
- 🌱 White tomatoes have substantially lower lycopene content than their red counterparts, which is why they appear pale—lycopene is the pigment responsible for red color and is a powerful antioxidant.
- 🌱 Xtreme White tomatoes are indeterminate varieties, meaning they continue growing and producing fruit until killed by frost, potentially yielding 15+ pounds per plant in favorable conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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