Tomato 'Dr. Organic Wyche's Yellow
Organic 'Dr. Wyche's Yellow' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a tropical tangerine orange, fleshy, sweet and legendary
The 'Dr. Wyche's Yellow' tomato is a fascinating heirloom variety, as delicious as it is steeped in history. Introduced by Dr. John Wyche , former co-owner of the Cole Brothers Circus, it was grown in his gardens fertilized with… elephant manure ! This colorful anecdote isn't the only reason this tomato is famous: its enormous tangerine fruits , smooth, glossy, and weighing around 1 pound , are among the best heirloom orange tomatoes for freshness and farmers' markets.
Indeterminate, vigorous, and productive, it offers a meaty, dense, very sweet, and low-acid flesh with an aromatic profile reminiscent of tropical fruits. Few seeds, a luxurious texture, and a vibrant color make it a magnificent choice for thick slices, colorful salads, gourmet dishes, and summer recipes.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/Carry : Indeterminate, vigorous
Plant height : 150 to 180 cm (5–6')
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very large 1 lb fruits, sweet tropical flavor, few seeds, unique history
Fruit color : Bright tangerine orange
Fruit shape : Large and smooth beefsteak
Fruit size/weight : Very large (≈1 lb)
Type of fruit : Orange beefsteak
Texture/flesh : Meaty, dense, sweet, slightly tropical, few seeds
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Bury the seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix and maintain a temperature of 23–29 °C to ensure rapid germination (5 to 10 days). Reduce watering and nitrogen during the hardening-off period to encourage vigorous seedlings.
Transplant once all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24–36") apart, leaving 120 to 180 cm (4–6') between rows. Place them in full sun , water regularly (level 3), and install very sturdy supports , essential for holding up the enormous fruit.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the tomatoes show their bright tangerine orange color and become slightly soft. To get a head start, pick those that have already begun to color , then let them ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store between 12–21°C , at 95% relative humidity , to preserve their meaty texture and tropical sweetness.
Usage ideas
• Exceptional in thick slices , ideal for sandwiches and tasting plates
• Delicious in salads with heirloom tomatoes , combined with red, pink and green tomatoes
• Perfect in golden gazpacho , fruity salsas or carpaccios
• Superbly roasted gently , concentrating its sweetness
The 'Dr. Wyche's Yellow' tomato is a tropical heirloom marvel: generous, sweet, large, and steeped in a unique history. A must-have variety for gardeners who want an exceptional orange tomato, brilliant both in the garden and in the kitchen.
