Sweet 100 and super sweet 100 tomatoes are cherry varieties and are among the tastiest hybrid tomatoes around. Besides the ‘sweet’ taste, these tomatoes offer you a bountiful harvest. Are you considering venturing into growing either of the two or both? You need to know how they differ.
So, sweet 100 tomatoes vs super sweet 100, which is the best to plant?
The main difference between sweet 100 tomatoes vs super sweet 100 is disease resistance. Super sweet 100 is resistant to diseases while the sweet 100 variety isn’t; the former is at a higher edge in the case of soil-related issues. Both are rich in vitamin C and sugar and have a long harvest period.
This article provides sufficient comparative information about the two great varieties of tomatoes. Let’s dive in.
Also Check: Black Gnats in Tomato Plants
Sweet 100 Tomatoes Vs Super Sweet 100: Which Is Your Ideal Choice?
Your ideal choice between sweet 100 and super sweet 100 depends on several factors. The major ones are tabulated below.
Characteristics of sweet 100 tomatoes vs. super sweet 100:
| Sweet 100 | Super sweet 100 | |
| Tomato type | Indeterminate | Indeterminate |
| Tomato qualities | Sweet and firm | Sweet and firm |
| Tomato size | One-inch diameter | One-inch diameter |
| Soil type | Rich and well-drained soil | Rich and moist soil |
| Soil Ph | 6.0 – 6.8 | 6.0 – 6.8 |
| Planting zone | 3 – 9 | 3 – 9 |
| Spacing | 2 – 3 feet | 2 – 3 feet |
| Watering | 1 inch per week | 1 inch per week |
| Fertilizing | Manure/organic matter/compost | manure/organic matter/compost |
| Sunlight | Full sun(At least 6 hours) | Full sun(At least 6 – 8 hours) |
| Temperature | 65° – 90°F | 65° – 90°F |
| Pruning/pinching | Yes | Yes |
| Pollination | Yes (natural/manual) | Yes (natural/manual) |
| Ripening period | About 60 days | About 60 days |
| Diseases resistance | Poor | Perfect |
Read on as we look at each of the above characteristics in relation to the two types of tomatoes. While some aspects are different in each type, others are similar. Hence, we’ll categorize them into differences and similarities.
Sweet 100 Tomatoes Vs. Super Sweet 100: Differences
There are major differences between these two varieties that can help in deciding which one to have for your next season. Below are some of them.
Soil Type
Soil determines the quality of the tomatoes you harvest. The two varieties thrive well in different types of soil.
Sweet 100 tomatoes do well in rich and well-drained soil. Sandy loamy soil is ideal because it’s loose, thus, well-ventilated. This soil type yields healthy and fast-growing tomatoes. For excellent results, ensure you’ve 3-4 inches of soil depth when potting.
On the other hand, the super sweet 100 variety is comfortable in rich and moist soil. The ideal soil depth of this tomato type is 2-3 inches.
Your tomato-growing soil should have the right amounts of Phosphorous and Potassium nutrients.
Sunlight
Direct sunlight is key in the growth of tomato plants, and the ‘sweets’ aren’t an exemption. The sunlight is converted into energy needed for the plant to make fruits. The more the energy, the more the yields.
Therefore, your sweet 100 tomatoes need a minimum of 6 hours of sunshine per day throughout their growing season. Its super sweet counterpart requires at least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Temperature
Temperature is another factor that enhances the maximum production of your tomatoes. For the best results, tomato varieties have different temperature ranges ideal for each.
Sweet 100 tomatoes flourish within the range of 65° – 90°F, while the super sweet variety is excellent in the 65° – 90°F bracket. Below or above these ranges, your tomatoes may experience stunted growth, poor flowering, and reduced productivity.
Disease Resistance
A disease-resistant plant is safe from any soil-borne disease. Unfortunately, the sweet 100 tomato variety lacks this characteristic. Hence, if your soil isn’t well-treated, it may have a negative effect on the plant.
On the other hand, super sweet tomatoes are disease resistant. Hence, they can withstand soil-related diseases such as Fusarium and Pythium.
Sweet 100 Tomatoes Vs. Super Sweet 100: Similarities
Sweet 100 and super sweet 100 have many similarities. Below are the major ones:
- Type: Both varieties are indeterminate. Sweet and super sweet 100 have no definite height. Their length increases continuously throughout the growing season, between 6.0 and 20.0 inches.
- Qualities: As the name suggests, these tomatoes are ‘sweet.’ They’re also firm and less cracking. However, the super sweet tomatoes are on a higher edge in relation to these qualities.
- Size: The two types have a diameter of 1 inch. It gives them the name ‘pole’ variety.
- Soil PH: The optimum soil PH levels for plants range from 5.5 to 7.5. Both sweet and super sweet 100 tomatoes excel in slightly acidic soil with a Ph range of 6.0 – 6.8.
- Planting zones: These zones refer to geographical areas with consistent favorable climatic conditions for a specific plant. Sweet and super sweet 100 grow and thrive in planting zones 3 – 9. However, they accommodate zones 2, 10, and 11, too.
- Spacing: 2 to 3 inches spacing for both plants is perfect. These tomato types are known to yield bountifully; hence, separating them creates sufficient room for each.
- Watering: 1 inch of water per week is enough for the sweet and super sweet 100 to grow. Wetting the soil to a 6 inches depth in the morning is advisable. Also, make the necessary adjustments in different climatic conditions.
- Fertilizing: Adding manure, compost, or organic matter to your tomato-growing soil is essential. The fertilizer is rich in nitrogen and potassium necessary for your sweet or super sweet 100 varieties.
- Pruning: Both varieties increase their productivity when you prune them. Being indeterminate tomatoes; pruning also maintains a strong stem. The removal of bottom leaves eliminates soil shading and enhances its ventilation. What’s more, suckers pruning minimizes unnecessary energy use.
- Pollination: Like any other flowering plant, sweet and super-sweet tomatoes require pollination. The major agents of pollination are their flowers, insects, and wind for natural pollination. If you prefer the manual way, you can pollinate your plants by shaking them or using a brush to transfer the pollens.
- Ripening period: The two types of tomatoes take an average of 60 days from germination to the ripening of the first fruit(s). So, you can expect your first harvest for any season between 55 and 70 days after planting.
Sweet 100 Tomatoes Vs. Super Sweet 100: Intercropping
Companion planting is essential for your ‘sweets’ growing because of the various benefits accrued to it. Some of the major ones include:
- Pests and disease control
- Beneficial insects habitation (like pollinators)
- Weed control measure
- Wind breaking
- Space maximization
Since sweet 100 and super sweet 100 tomatoes are cherry tomatoes, they benefit from the same companions. These include but are not limited to sunflowers, beans, onions, cucumbers, peppers, oregano, cornflowers, lettuce, thyme, and squash.
You can plant 2 – 3 of these plants near your tomatoes to enhance a perfect atmosphere for your tomatoes.
For example, thyme and oregano are repellant to some insects that are dangerous to your tomato plants. Beans, cucumbers, and pumpkins are great for disease and, therefore, very beneficial to the sweet 100 variety.
Above all, we can’t talk about intercropping without mentioning pollination. Beans, cornflowers, and sunflowers attract butterflies and bees, which are the major agents of pollination.
FAQ
What Kind Of Tomatoes Are Super Sweet 100 Tomatoes?
Super sweet 100 is small-sized, red-colored tomatoes produced in clusters. They weigh between 15 and 20 grams. Additionally, these cherry tomato plants are indeterminate in nature and can grow up to 20 inches tall.
Most importantly, these tomatoes are resistant to diseases such as fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt.
Are Sweet 100 Tomatoes Good?
Yes, sweet 100 tomatoes are good. These tomatoes are very tasty and thus, rank among the best snacking tomatoes in the ‘cherry family,’ even right after harvesting.
And no wonder the name ‘vine candy’ is used to refer to them. Sweet 100 tomatoes are ideal for fresh salads.
Can You Save Super Sweet 100 Seeds?
Yes, you can save super sweet 100 seeds. Nonetheless, you can’t get the same results in your next seasons. The saved seeds tend to take up after the nature of the ‘parent’ plants used in the crossbreeding. They yield low-quality fruits due to the loss of hybrid vigor and benefits.
Why Are My Sweet 100 Tomatoes Splitting?
Your sweet 100 tomatoes are splitting due to water supply inconsistency. If you don’t supply your sweet 100 tomatoes with adequate water during dry seasons, the inner growth rate becomes higher than the skin’s. As a result, heavy rains cause the splitting of these tomatoes.
Bottom Line
There isn’t much of a difference between sweet 100 tomatoes vs. super sweet 100. The major difference between the two is the disease resistance element. Super sweet tomatoes can resist diseases while the sweet 100 can’t.
Since the super sweet 100 variety is an improvement of the sweet 100, most of the characteristics are similar for both varieties. Even so, there are several varying factors such as the soil type, sunlight, and temperature.
Above all, the two tomato types are delicious and nutritious. You can plant them alternatively in different seasons or in different portions of your garden and enjoy them as snacks or by cooking!
