Many people may have questions when considering tomato varieties, especially when they come across the name Qingtian No. 2. Is this little one the sweetest cherry tomato on the market? And if you don't have a garden and can only grow it on a balcony or even in your living room, can it thrive and bear fruit? Today, we’ll address these two common concerns.
Is Qingtian No. 2 the sweetest cherry tomato?
Qingtian No. 2 is definitely one of the sweetest among cherry tomatoes. Its sugar content generally ranges from 10 to 15 degrees. In planting bases in places like Yuncheng in Shanxi and Rong'an in Guangxi, high-quality fruits have been tested with a stable sugar content of 14-15 degrees. This is significantly sweeter than the 7 degrees typically found in regular tomatoes, and the taste is indeed very sweet.
However, there are other varieties known for their high sweetness, such as Super Sweet 100 and Busan 88. For example, Busan 88 can also reach a sugar content of over 10 degrees, and Super Sweet 100 is often described as "super sweet." So, whether Qingtian No. 2 is the "sweetest" may depend on how you compare it, but there's no doubt it’s a top performer in the high-sugar cherry tomato category.
Can you grow Qingtian No. 2 indoors in a regular home?
Absolutely, and many people have successfully done it. This cherry tomato variety is quite adaptable to its environment, and with just a little attention, you can harvest fruits right from your home. The key is to ensure it gets enough sunlight—ideally, 6-8 hours per day. A south-facing windowsill is perfect for this. If natural light is insufficient, you can use a grow light to help, and even on a slightly shaded balcony, you can still grow it, though the number of fruits and their sweetness may be slightly reduced, but the impact will be minimal.
Choosing the right pot is important—preferably one with a diameter of 30 cm or more, and it should have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent root rot from over-watering. Use loose, fertile sandy loam or potting soil to allow the roots to grow comfortably. Since there’s no wind or insects indoors to help with pollination, you’ll need to assist manually. You can use an electric toothbrush to gently brush the flowers or dip a cotton swab in pollen to increase the pollination rate.
Fertilizing and Watering
Proper fertilization and watering are key to growth. In the early stages, you can apply more nitrogen fertilizer to help the leaves and stems grow strong. Once it starts bearing fruit, switch to more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to encourage large and sweet tomatoes. About 10 days before harvest, reduce watering to prevent the fruits from splitting. You can also spray calcium fertilizer to strengthen the fruit skins.
Growth Habit and Support
Qingtian No. 2 is a variety that continues to grow taller and vine-like, so you’ll need to provide a support structure, such as a 1.8-meter stake or a special plant frame. Use bamboo sticks or a dedicated flower rack to tie up the vines. Be sure to trim away side branches and old leaves regularly. This will improve airflow and sunlight penetration, reduce disease risks, and help concentrate nutrients toward the fruits.
Temperature Preferences
This variety isn’t very picky about temperature, but it thrives best between 20-25°C. During hot summer months, remember to ventilate by opening windows or move the plant to a cooler area. In winter, if your home has heating and you add a grow light, it can continue flowering and bearing fruit.
Conclusion
After all this, you should have a good understanding of Qingtian No. 2. In terms of sweetness, while it might not claim the title of the "sweetest in the world," it is definitely a "sweet delight" that’s hard to forget after the first bite. As for growing it, with just a little sunlight, some support, and occasional watering and fertilizing, even a beginner can grow this plant indoors, with lush growth and abundant fruit. Give it a try!
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