'Andine Cornue' tomato organic

Name: 'Andine Cornue' tomato organic
Brand: Tourne-sol
SKU: SL322-a
Price: 4.49 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

Seeds Solanaceae

Organic seeds

Tourne-sol

Solanum lycopersicum

Sold as 50 seeds

Common name‘Andine Cornue’ tomato

FamilySolanaceae

GenusSolanum

Specieslycopersicum

CultivarAndine Cornue

TypeSeeds

Botanical nameSolanum lycopersicum

Reproducible seedsYes

Heirloom varietyYes

'Andine Cornue' tomato organic (Solanum lycopersicum) is a French heirloom variety that produces long red fruit shaped like a goat horn. Its dense flesh contains few seeds and makes thick sauces, purées, soups, and preserves. Fully ripe fruit can also be enjoyed fresh. The Tourne-Sol packet contains 50 organic, open-pollinated seeds. This indeterminate tomato continues growing and producing until frost. The official listing gives approximately 70 days to maturity from transplanting, an indoor start six weeks before planting, and one planting per season. Its unusual shape, meaty texture, and productive vining habit make it especially appealing to gardeners who preserve their harvest.

Sow indoors 6 mm deep in light starting mix five to six weeks before the expected planting date. Maintain 24 to 29°C until emergence, then provide strong light and slightly cooler conditions. Pot seedlings on after true leaves appear and harden them for one week. Plant outdoors only after the last frost, once soil and nights are suitably warm. Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, then space these indeterminate plants approximately 75 to 90 cm apart. Install a tall cage, sturdy stake, or trellis immediately. Plant stems deeply, leaving the first healthy leaves above soil, to support additional rooting.

Water deeply and consistently at soil level to maintain steady moisture without needlessly wetting foliage. Mulch reduces evaporation and soil splash. Tie stems to their support with soft loops as they grow, then remove leaves touching the ground. Fertilize according to soil-test results and avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages foliage rather than fruit. Harvest when the long tomatoes are fully red and slightly yielding. Before the first frost, pick well-developed fruit; it can finish ripening indoors in a temperate, ventilated location. Inspect plants regularly for leaf spots, blight symptoms, hornworms, and damaged fruit, and remove affected material promptly instead of adding diseased debris to home compost.

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun, at least 6 direct hours; warm, sheltered position
Life cycle: Warm-season annual; tender perennial grown as an annual

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

6 mm (1/4 in)

Spacing / density

75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) between indeterminate plants

Germination temperature

24 to 29°C (75 to 85°F)

Germination time

Approximately 5 to 10 days in warm starting mix

Sowing period

Indoors, 6 weeks before planting; transplant after the last frost

Propagation

Seed

Growing method

Sow one seed per cell 6 mm deep in sterile, light starting mix approximately six weeks before planting. Keep the medium moist but not saturated and maintain 24 to 29°C until emergence. Remove the dome as soon as seedlings appear, then provide bright light for 14 to 16 hours and slightly cooler temperatures. Pot seedlings individually after the first true leaves. If plants become pale, feed at low strength. Harden them for one week by gradually increasing sun and wind exposure. Transplant after the last frost into warmed soil, burying the stem up to the first healthy leaves. Space plants 75 to 90 cm apart. Install tall support at planting time, water at soil level, and mulch once the ground is warm. Guide stems weekly and harvest at full red colour. Remove weeds while seedlings establish. Once plants begin flowering, gently shake the support at midday to encourage pollen release. Inspect leaf undersides and hand-pick the first caterpillars. Sanitize scissors after cutting suspicious plants and avoid working among wet foliage. From fruit set onward, follow tomato-fertilizer directions without exceeding the label. Maintain one main stem where space is limited, or several well-supported stems inside a large cage. Check ties after wind and loosen any loop that presses into expanding stems.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Care level

Intermediate; support and regular monitoring required

Watering

Water deeply at soil level when the upper few centimetres begin to dry. Maintain moisture as consistently as possible during flowering and fruit expansion; swings between drought and excess water encourage cracking and blossom-end rot. A soaker hose or drip line keeps foliage drier. Apply mulch after soil warms, empty saucers, and check large containers daily during hot weather. Water early in the day and avoid small, frequent surface applications.

Soil type

Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in mature organic matter, with slightly acidic pH around 6 to 6.8. Incorporate compost before planting according to needs shown by a soil test. A raised bed helps where ground remains cold or wet in spring. Avoid waterlogged areas and sites where diseased tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplants grew recently. Rotate away from the nightshade family whenever practical.

Fertilization

Base fertilization on a soil test. Incorporate mature compost before planting, then use balanced vegetable fertilizer according to its label. After fruit set, tomato feed with moderate nitrogen is preferable to a high-nitrogen application. Excess nitrogen produces abundant foliage and delays fruit. Water after feeding, never place concentrated fertilizer against the stem, and reduce applications late in the season. Container plants need smaller, more regular doses because nutrients leave through drainage water.

Seasonal care

Six weeks before planting, sow indoors in warm mix and move seedlings under intense light immediately after emergence. Pot them on when true leaves develop and rotate containers to maintain straight stems. One week before planting, gradually harden plants to sun, wind, and cooler nights. After the last frost, transplant deeply into warmed soil and immediately install a tall cage, stakes, or trellis. Through summer, tie new stems with soft loops, water consistently at soil level, and keep mulch from touching the stem. Remove leaves resting on soil and monitor for leaf spots, wilting, caterpillars, and damaged fruit. Sanitize tools between suspicious plants. Harvest red tomatoes every few days. Late in the season, remove new flowers that cannot mature, gather developed fruit before frost, and discard diseased remains instead of placing them in home compost. Clean supports before storing them. If fruit develops a dark, sunken patch at the blossom end, stabilize watering instead of automatically adding calcium without a soil test. After prolonged rain, ventilate shelters and inspect new spots before touching neighbouring plants. During extreme heat, light afternoon shade cloth may reduce stress without blocking morning sun. Record every confirmed disease so a different crop family can occupy that area next year. Save seed only from vigorous plants and symptom-free fruit. Wash hands and tools after handling diseased material, and never move infected soil into clean containers. throughout the season.

Container growing

Recommended pot size

One plant per stable 30 to 40 L container, at least 40 cm deep

Because ‘Andine Cornue’ is indeterminate, choose a very stable 30 to 40 L container at least 40 cm deep for one plant. Several large drainage holes are essential. Fill it with quality vegetable potting mix amended with mature compost, leaving watering space at the rim. Install a tall cage or firmly anchored trellis before planting. Position the container in the warmest, sunniest location sheltered from wind. Bury part of the stem and water thoroughly. Maintain consistent moisture thereafter, sometimes checking daily in hot weather, without leaving water in the saucer. Feed with tomato fertilizer according to its label once fruit begins forming. Tie stems, remove leaves resting on the mix, and harvest frequently. Rotate only small pots; a large supported container should remain stationary. Before frost, bring developed fruit indoors rather than moving the entire plant. Mulch the warm potting mix without touching the stem. After heavy rain, confirm that drainage holes remain open and that the container is not leaning under trellis weight. Inspect leaf undersides, pick every ripe fruit, and promptly remove split or mouldy tomatoes. Label the cultivar clearly when planning to save seed. At the end of the season, clean the cage and replace the mix instead of reusing soil that held a diseased plant. Keep the container away from roof runoff that could saturate it during storms.

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

Approximately 1.5 to 2 m with support; may grow taller

Width / spread

Approximately 60 to 90 cm depending on training

Foliage color

Medium to dark green

Foliage type

Deciduous; killed by frost

Growth rate

Fast in warm weather; 70 days from transplanting to maturity

Growth habit

Indeterminate, vining, and vigorous

Edible parts

Ripe fruit

Fruiting

Long, tapered red tomatoes, often curved like a goat horn, form progressively on this indeterminate plant. Their dense flesh contains few seeds and is suited to thick sauce. Allow approximately 70 days from transplanting for the first ripe fruit, depending on warmth and light. Harvest at full colour when the flesh yields slightly to gentle pressure, then handle fruit by the stem to avoid bruising. Gather promptly after heavy rain if cracking becomes likely.

Days to maturity

Approximately 70 days from transplanting

Harvest

Approximately 70 days after transplanting; pick fully red fruit

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Basil, parsley, lettuce, radishes, onions, and bush beans can share the area when every plant receives sufficient sun, air, water, and nutrients. Position short crops on the sunny side and keep the tomato base accessible for watering. These combinations mainly organize the bed efficiently; they do not prevent pests or diseases on their own. Avoid crowding other nightshade crops around the plant because they share several problems and make rotation more difficult. Leave clear access to the trellis for tying and harvesting.

Garden use

Turn the dense, low-seed flesh into thick sauces, purées, soups, confit, or preserves. Fully ripe fruit also suits salads, sandwiches, and bruschetta. For sauce, remove the stem, cut tomatoes, and simmer to the preferred consistency. Wash fruit under running water before cutting and discard mouldy or damaged portions. For canning, follow a tested recipe from a reliable source and observe its acidification, quantities, method, and processing time exactly. Do not improvise proportions or processing for shelf-stable jars; freeze sauce instead when a tested canning method is unavailable.

Recipe idea

From garden to table

Thick ‘Andine Cornue’ tomato sauce: wash 1.5 kg ripe tomatoes, remove the stems, and cut fruit into pieces. Heat 30 mL olive oil in a large saucepan. Soften one chopped onion for five minutes, then add two garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, 5 mL salt, and several basil leaves. Simmer uncovered for 35 to 50 minutes, stirring regularly, until the preferred thickness is reached. Blend carefully with an immersion blender, then add pepper. Serve immediately over pasta, refrigerate within two hours, or freeze in portions. This recipe is not designed for room-temperature canning; use a tested, properly acidified recipe when preparing shelf-stable jars. Cool shallow containers promptly before refrigeration. For an especially smooth texture, pass the sauce through a food mill before returning it to low heat. Taste only after adequate cooking and adjust salt at the end. Use a sufficiently large saucepan to reduce splashing and keep children away from the hot mixture. Label frozen portions with the preparation date and use freezer-safe containers with expansion space.

Frequently asked questions

When and how should ‘Andine Cornue’ tomato be sown?

Start seed indoors approximately six weeks before the planned planting date. Place one seed per cell 6 mm deep in sterile, lightly moist mix. Maintain 24 to 29°C until emergence, generally within five to ten days, then remove the dome and move seedlings under bright light for 14 to 16 hours daily. Slightly cooler temperatures after germination create sturdier stems. Pot seedlings individually when the first true leaves appear. Rotate pots, water from below when needed, and feed lightly if plants become pale. Harden them gradually for one week. Transplant outdoors only after the last frost into warmed soil because this tender tomato is killed by frost. Install support at planting time and water every root ball thoroughly.

Does ‘Andine Cornue’ tomato need support?

Yes. Tourne-Sol describes ‘Andine Cornue’ as indeterminate: the main stem continues extending and forming new fruit clusters until frost. Install a tall cage, sturdy stake, or trellis at planting time before roots fill the surrounding soil. Support approximately 1.5 m or taller is more suitable than a small cage. Tie stems with broad, soft loops arranged in a figure eight to prevent rubbing. Check ties weekly and loosen any that mark the stem. Keeping foliage and fruit above the ground improves air circulation, simplifies harvest, and reduces damage. Anchor support especially well for plants in containers or windy locations. Guide stems while they remain flexible instead of bending older growth sharply.

When are ‘Andine Cornue’ tomatoes ready to harvest?

The Tourne-Sol listing gives approximately 70 days to maturity, a period generally counted from transplanting. Temperature, light, and planting date may advance or delay the first harvest. Pick fruit when it is fully red, has developed its long horn shape, and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Hold the tomato and bend its stem without pulling on the cluster, or use clean scissors. Harvest every few days to prevent overripe fruit. After heavy rain, watch for cracking. Before the first frost, bring in well-developed tomatoes; arrange them in one layer in a temperate, ventilated location, check them daily, and immediately remove any fruit that deteriorates. Wash tomatoes under running water shortly before eating or cooking rather than before storage.

Can ‘Andine Cornue’ be grown in a container?

Yes, but its indeterminate habit needs considerable space and very strong support. Choose a stable 30 to 40 L container at least 40 cm deep with several large holes. Fill it with rich, freely drained potting mix, then install a tall cage or anchored trellis before planting. Place the pot in full sun away from strong wind. Maintain consistent moisture; in hot weather, check the mix daily and water deeply as the surface begins to dry. Always empty the saucer. Once fruit forms, apply tomato fertilizer according to its label. Tie stems as they rise and keep leaves away from the potting mix. A large supported pot should not be moved frequently because its weight and trellis make handling unsafe. Harvest often to reduce weight on the stems.

Are ‘Andine Cornue’ seeds organic and open-pollinated?

Yes. The Tourne-Sol packet contains 50 organic, open-pollinated seeds of this French heirloom tomato. To save seed, choose several fully ripe, healthy fruit that match the expected type: long, red, meaty, and horn shaped. Scoop seeds with their gel into a small labelled container and add a little water. Allow brief fermentation until the gel separates, then add water, remove floating debris, and rinse the heavy seed remaining at the bottom. Spread seed in one layer on a non-absorbent surface and dry it completely before packaging. Tomatoes are mainly self-fertile, although occasional crossing remains possible. Separate varieties or bag flower clusters when varietal purity is important. Store clean, dry seed in a labelled envelope in cool, dark conditions.