Tomato 'Ricola Fire & Lightning'

Common name: Tomato 'Ricola Fire & Lightning'

Description: Ricola Fire & Lightning is a visually dramatic cocktail tomato variety producing medium-sized fruits with bold red and yellow striping that makes them immediately eye-catching at the table. The fruits are sweet and flavoursome with a pleasing balance of acidity, and the striking colouring adds a theatrical flourish to summer salads and sharing platters. Plants grow as vigorous cordons and crop reliably over a long season, making this as productive as it is decorative. An excellent talking-point variety for the adventurous kitchen gardener.

Other benefits: highly decorative striped fruits; excellent flavour; long cropping season; striking visual appeal for entertaining

Wildlife attraction: bees and other pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at maturity: 1.5–1.8m x 45cm (cordon grown)

Position: full sun; best under glass or in a warm, sheltered outdoor position

Soil pH: slightly acid to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0); fertile, well-drained soil or compost

Moisture: regular, consistent watering required; high-potash liquid feed once flowering begins; pinch out side shoots to maintain vigour

Winter hardiness: frost tender; grow as an annual from spring