The more experienced gardener will always swear by the Jet Star tomato. They’ll praise it for a number of its unique qualities.
But, what is it that makes this tomato variety so worthy of attention?
Could it be an earlier harvest? The ability to thrive in different soil conditions? Does it stand out for being a fast-growing crop? Is it disease-resistant?
We could spin out this guessing game, but let’s stop here.
Today we’re getting to know the exciting Jet Stars.
What Are Jet Stars?
Jet Star tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) are a hybrid tomato that bears red, sweet, and low-acid fruit. They are early season tomatoes, that take about 72 days to mature.
But one of the main reasons that they’re growing in popularity is the fact they’re also disease and crack-resistant. Growing them in your garden means you’re facing two fewer problems than with other varieties; Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt.
The plants grow best in full sun, ideally when exposed to at least 5 hours of direct sunlight. They’re planted in spring, and produce early fruit and yield crops over a long stretch of time each season.
You can also get your hopes up when it comes to fruit size. The tomatoes are comparable to beef steaks when it comes to size, and we all know they’re some of the largest tomato varieties. That says it all.
Jet Stars don’t fall too far behind Big Beef tomatoes (that produce 10-12 oz fruits), coming in at around with 8 oz on average.
This indeterminate tomato variety does best when grown in cages or when staked on a trellis. Sometimes growing up to 60 inches tall, they’ll appreciate some additional support.
Why Grow Jet Stars in Your Garden?
So, why would you decide in favor of Jet Stars instead of other tomato varieties? What makes this variety stand out?
Well, there are many perks that make this variety a favorite choice for many gardeners.
High Yields
Jet Stars are known for their prolific fruit production and bountiful yields. A study by Research Gate quotes them as the best performing tomatoes amongst all tested.
The fruits mature early, meaning 72 days is the longest you’ll ever have to wait for your bumper harvest. The plant also grows well in a wide variety of climates.
Disease Resistance.
There’s another reason this is such a super-popular tomato;, Jet Star is very easy to grow, as it’s disease-resistant to Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt.
The fact that it can grow undisturbed by these major tomato diseases is one of the reasons it is so widely grown.
Crack Resistant
Because it’s crack-resistant, Jet Stars can grow through the indeterminate season without any blemishes. Tomatoes are evenly red, globe-shaped, and look good long into the season. They ripen all the way through and are scar resistant. It’s all you’d ever want in a tomato.
Great Tasting
Jet Stars are bright red, firm, and meaty tomatoes with a mild, sweet taste. People will often say this is because they are low acid. But in truth, the sweetness of these tomatoes is in the higher sugar content. Acidity is actually pretty uniform across the varieties.
Lesser-Known Facts About Jet Star Tomatoes
Now let’s take a quick look at a few lesser-known facts about these tomatoes. You’ll nod your head at some, while others might be new to you. Either way, the fun facts we’re about to share won’t leave anyone indifferent.
Jet Stars are best grown in temperatures ranging from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit but can withstand even the hottest days with a tolerance for temperatures of over 90.
Jet Stars will reach full size and stay beautifully shaped. Even during long hot spells, the plants won’t show any signs of heat stress.
This can’t be said about many other tomato varieties.
Tip: Some gardeners may complain about the bland taste of Jet Stars. But you can learn when to harvest your tomatoes for the best results. Let your plants go a bit past ripe. Do this and you’ll get tomatoes with a more well-rounded taste.
It’s an ongoing debate among experienced gardeners whether Jet Star tomatoes are good for canning or not.
One Jet Star tomato review will tell you the tomatoes are too bland-tasting for canning while other reviews will attest to successful canning practices.
Tip: There are ways to make up for the lack of acidity in these tomatoes. When canning your tomatoes, add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice or citric acid per quart. By doing this, you’ll also be complying with USDA guidelines for safe canning practices.
Want another rare tip that will help your Jet Stars reach their full potential? Have you been treating your plants with fresh manure? If your answer is yes, that’s bad.
Treating them this way will only cause the plants to grow more foliage and less fruit. Instead, use well-rotted cow manure or compost. When planting, add some crushed eggshells to boost calcium levels. This will help your tomatoes grow healthy and vigorous.
Ready to Capitalize on Your Tomato Knowledge?
There are good reasons Jet Star tomatoes have been in the limelight in recent years. This indeterminate tomato variety has what it takes to deserve a spot in your garden. And there are no two ways about it.
Of course, there’s no accounting for taste.
But this tomato gives high-yielding, perfect-looking fruit. And if you’re the impatient type, you won’t have to sacrifice too much of your time. These tomatoes are easy to grow and will mature early.
So, if this is your preferred choice, start by getting your Jet Star tomato seeds and finding them a nifty full-sun spot in your garden. With tomatoes that grow as hard and fast as Jet Stars, the sky is your limit.
The good thing about getting to know different tomato varieties is that you can leverage this knowledge.
Picking up the tips and tricks from experienced gardeners is priceless. Anyone who’s ever had to build their gardening expertise from the bottom up knows this.
So, don’t waste your precious time on the wrong sources. Head over to the Gardening Channel and learn from the best.
Before, gardeners had to come together to exchange ideas so they could capitalize on them, which could take days..
Today the priceless gardening tips are just one click away.
Photo from pixabay.com by minhquanfoto
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