Losetto Tomatoes: Blight-Resistant Outdoor Variety
Losetto tomatoes are one of the most reliable blight-resistant tomato varieties available for outdoor growing in the UK. Bred specifically to cope with late blight and unpredictable weather, Losetto is an excellent choice for gardeners who struggle to grow tomatoes outdoors due to wet summers and disease pressure. Compact, productive, and easy to manage, Losetto tomatoes deliver dependable harvests with minimal fuss.
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This guide explains how to grow Losetto tomatoes successfully, focusing on their blight resistance, outdoor performance, sowing, planting, care, watering, feeding, and harvesting. With the right approach, Losetto tomatoes can provide consistent crops even in challenging growing seasons.
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What Are Losetto Tomatoes?
Losetto is a modern hybrid tomato variety developed for strong resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Unlike many traditional tomatoes that quickly succumb to blight outdoors, Losetto is designed to remain healthy and productive when blight pressure is high.
Losetto tomatoes are a bush (determinate) variety, meaning plants grow to a compact size and produce fruit over a concentrated period rather than continuously. The fruits are small to medium-sized cherry tomatoes, ripening to a bright red colour with a pleasant, well-balanced flavour.
Because of their compact habit and disease resistance, Losetto tomatoes are particularly well suited to outdoor beds, containers, raised beds, and allotments.
Why Choose Losetto Tomatoes for Outdoor Growing?
Outdoor tomato growing in the UK is often limited by blight, especially during warm, wet summers. Losetto tomatoes are specifically bred to address this problem.
Key advantages include:
• Strong resistance to late blight
• Compact, bushy growth habit
• Excellent performance outdoors
• No need for side-shoot removal
• Reliable yields in poor summers
For gardeners who want outdoor tomatoes without relying on greenhouses or constant disease management, Losetto is one of the safest and easiest choices.
Blight Resistance Explained
Losetto tomatoes carry genetic resistance to late blight, which helps prevent infection and slows disease spread.
This resistance means:
• Blight spores are less likely to infect the plant
• Disease spreads far more slowly
• Plants stay green and productive longer
• Crops often survive when standard varieties fail
While no tomato is completely immune, Losetto consistently outperforms non-resistant varieties in outdoor conditions.
Best Place to Grow Losetto Tomatoes
Losetto tomatoes are designed primarily for outdoor growing.
Outdoor Beds and Allotments
This is where Losetto excels. It performs reliably in open ground, even in regions with frequent rainfall.
Containers and Raised Beds
Losetto grows very well in pots and raised beds due to its compact size. This makes it ideal for patios, balconies, and small gardens.
Under Cover
Losetto can be grown in greenhouses or polytunnels, but its main advantage is outdoor blight resistance, where it truly shines.
When to Sow Losetto Tomato Seeds
In the UK, Losetto tomatoes are usually sown indoors from late February to early April.
For outdoor growing, sowing in late March often produces sturdy plants that adapt well when planted outside.
Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 18–22°C and typically emerge within 7–14 days.
Avoid sowing too early without good light, as this can lead to weak, leggy seedlings.
How to Sow Losetto Tomato Seeds
Fill clean pots or seed trays with fine, moist seed compost. Sow seeds thinly on the surface and cover lightly with compost or vermiculite.
Water gently and place in a warm location. Once seedlings appear, move them into the brightest position available.
When seedlings develop their first true leaves, pot them on into individual pots. Handle seedlings by their leaves rather than the stems to prevent damage.
Preparing Losetto Tomatoes for Outdoor Growing
Hardening Off
Before planting outside, harden plants off over 7–10 days. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions during the day and bring them in at night.
Choosing the Right Site
Choose a sunny position with good airflow. Although Losetto is blight-resistant, good air circulation further reduces disease risk and improves yields.
Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot every year to limit soil-borne disease build-up.
When to Plant Losetto Tomatoes Outdoors
Plant Losetto tomatoes outside once all risk of frost has passed, usually late May to early June in most parts of the UK.
Soil should be warm before planting, as cold soil slows root growth and delays establishment.
If late frosts are forecast, protect young plants with fleece or cloches.
Planting Losetto Tomatoes
Spacing
Space plants around 40–50cm apart. Losetto plants are compact but still need space for airflow and fruit development.
Planting Depth
Plant tomatoes deeply, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. This encourages strong root development and more stable plants.
Soil Preparation
Improve soil with garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Avoid fresh manure, which encourages leafy growth rather than fruiting.
Growing Losetto Tomatoes in Containers
Losetto tomatoes are ideal for container growing.
Choose pots at least 25–30cm wide and deep. Use high-quality compost with good drainage.
Because containers dry out more quickly than garden soil, regular watering is essential, especially during warm weather.
Container-grown Losetto tomatoes are an excellent solution for gardeners with limited space.
Do Losetto Tomatoes Need Support?
Losetto tomatoes are bush (determinate) plants and do not need tall staking like cordon varieties.
However, light support is beneficial:
• Use short canes or small tomato cages
• Prevent branches breaking under fruit weight
• Keep fruit off the soil to reduce disease risk
Losetto tomatoes do not require side-shoot removal. Removing side shoots can reduce yield and is not recommended.
Watering Losetto Tomatoes
Consistent watering is important for fruit quality and plant health.
Water deeply and regularly, keeping soil evenly moist. Avoid letting plants dry out completely followed by heavy watering, as this can cause fruit splitting.
Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves to further reduce disease risk.
During hot weather, outdoor and container-grown plants may need watering daily.
Feeding Losetto Tomatoes
Once flowers appear and fruits begin to form, start feeding with a high-potassium tomato feed.
Feed weekly for best results, especially for container-grown plants.
Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers and fruit.
Balanced feeding supports steady cropping and good flavour.
Harvesting Losetto Tomatoes
Losetto tomatoes are ready to harvest when fully red and slightly soft to the touch.
Because Losetto is a bush variety, fruit often ripens over a shorter period, making it ideal for bulk harvesting.
Harvest regularly to prevent plants becoming overloaded and to maintain fruit quality.
Outdoor crops usually begin producing from mid to late summer.
Flavour and Uses
Losetto tomatoes have a pleasant, well-balanced flavour.
They are suitable for:
• Fresh eating
• Salads
• Snacking
• Cooking
• General kitchen use
While not as sweet as some cherry varieties, they offer reliable flavour with excellent disease resistance.
Common Problems with Losetto Tomatoes
Reduced Growth
Often caused by cold soil early in the season. Wait until soil warms before planting.
Fruit Splitting
Usually linked to irregular watering. Maintain even moisture levels.
Yellowing Leaves
Some yellowing of lower leaves is normal. Widespread yellowing may indicate nutrient deficiency or overwatering.
Blight
Highly resistant, but in extreme conditions minor symptoms may appear late in the season. Plants usually continue cropping far longer than standard varieties.
Saving Seeds from Losetto Tomatoes
Losetto tomatoes are a hybrid variety. Seeds saved from the fruit will not grow true to type and may lose blight resistance.
For consistent results, it is best to grow Losetto tomatoes from fresh seed each year.
When to Stop Losetto Tomato Plants Growing
As a determinate variety, Losetto naturally stops growing once fruit sets. There is no need to pinch out growing tips.
Towards late summer, remove new flowers and very small green fruits that are unlikely to ripen. This helps the plant focus energy on existing fruit.
Tips for Best Outdoor Results
• Choose a sunny, open position
• Harden plants off thoroughly
• Water consistently
• Feed once fruiting begins
• Provide light support if needed
• Harvest ripe fruit promptly
Combining blight resistance with good basic care gives the best results.
Final Thoughts
Losetto tomatoes are one of the best blight-resistant outdoor tomato varieties available to UK gardeners. Their compact growth, strong disease resistance, and dependable yields make them an excellent choice for gardens, allotments, and containers where blight has previously caused crop failure.
With correct sowing, careful planting, consistent watering, and regular feeding, Losetto tomatoes can deliver healthy plants and reliable harvests even in wet, challenging summers. For gardeners who want stress-free outdoor tomatoes, Losetto is a variety that truly earns its reputation.