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Italian Roma Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Lycopersicon esculentum

5.00 (1 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Start tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sowing the Roma tomato seeds in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees F until germination, as well as providing adequate light in a sunny window or under a grow light; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to grow strongly rooted plants. A week before planting the seedlings outside, begin exposing them to the weather during the day to harden them; tomatoes cannot endure cold weather, and should not be transplanted outside until all threat of frost has passed. When the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F, plant the seedlings in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves. Space the plants 2' apart. For companion planting benefits, plant Roma tomato seeds with carrots or onions, but avoid planting them with cabbage or potatoes.

Growing: Since temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage production, protect the plants if temperatures drop. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds; water the plants once a week, but avoid getting the leaves wet. Determinate, or bush type tomatoes, do not require staking.

Harvesting: Test the ripeness of tomatoes by pressing them gently; the flesh should yield slightly. The mature color also indicates ripeness. If the stem does not come easily off the vine, cut it with a scissors. Vine ripened tomatoes have the best flavor, but as soon as frost comes, all tomatoes should be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will ripen eventually if kept in a warm place out of direct sunlight.

Seed Saving: Since cross pollination between most Italian heirloom tomato varieties is unlikely, isolation is not a concern. Pick fully ripe tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally, across the middle; squeeze out the pulp into a container. An alternative method for smaller tomatoes is to put them in a blender and pulse the mixture, since the seeds are hard and slippery and will not be harmed. Let the mixture ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold has formed; this process removes the gelatinous layer on the seeds. Pour off the mold and debris, saving the good seeds on the bottom. Rinse the seeds in a strainer under running water until they are clean, then spread them out to dry in a protected location away from direct sunlight. Stir them twice a day, and provide a fan to speed drying if the air is humid. Once the Roma tomato seeds are completely dry, store them in a cool, dry location for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Determinate, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 10,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 60 Inches

Color: Red

Italian Roma Heirloom Tomato Seeds 5.0
Review By Blaine Killian

Mater seeds

Looking forward to making spaghetti sauce with these about August or September

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~50 Seeds) $3.75 -+
1/16 Oz Mylar (1.77g) $5.96 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $7.96 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~10,000 Seeds) $16.57 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $51.20 -+
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $192.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

This heirloom paste and canning tomato is originally from Italy. Italian Roma tomatoes yield an abundance of 6 Oz tomatoes. With a sweet flavor and few seeds, the firm, meaty flesh of this Italian heirloom tomato is great for cooking purposes. About 80 days to maturity. Determinate.
Tomatoes first arrived in Italy with the return of European explorers from South America, bringing with them the unknown "tomatl," a member of the nightshade family that was considered poisonous for centuries and only used for decoration. Though Italians didn't discover the merits of tomatoes as a vegetable until the 18th century, they quickly became a staple ingredient in Italian sauces and pasta. This Italian heirloom tomato, also called an Italian plum tomato, performs excellently for sauces because of its low water content.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Start tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sowing the Roma tomato seeds in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees F until germination, as well as providing adequate light in a sunny window or under a grow light; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to grow strongly rooted plants. A week before planting the seedlings outside, begin exposing them to the weather during the day to harden them; tomatoes cannot endure cold weather, and should not be transplanted outside until all threat of frost has passed. When the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F, plant the seedlings in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves. Space the plants 2' apart. For companion planting benefits, plant Roma tomato seeds with carrots or onions, but avoid planting them with cabbage or potatoes.

Growing: Since temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage production, protect the plants if temperatures drop. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds; water the plants once a week, but avoid getting the leaves wet. Determinate, or bush type tomatoes, do not require staking.

Harvesting: Test the ripeness of tomatoes by pressing them gently; the flesh should yield slightly. The mature color also indicates ripeness. If the stem does not come easily off the vine, cut it with a scissors. Vine ripened tomatoes have the best flavor, but as soon as frost comes, all tomatoes should be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will ripen eventually if kept in a warm place out of direct sunlight.

Seed Saving: Since cross pollination between most Italian heirloom tomato varieties is unlikely, isolation is not a concern. Pick fully ripe tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally, across the middle; squeeze out the pulp into a container. An alternative method for smaller tomatoes is to put them in a blender and pulse the mixture, since the seeds are hard and slippery and will not be harmed. Let the mixture ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold has formed; this process removes the gelatinous layer on the seeds. Pour off the mold and debris, saving the good seeds on the bottom. Rinse the seeds in a strainer under running water until they are clean, then spread them out to dry in a protected location away from direct sunlight. Stir them twice a day, and provide a fan to speed drying if the air is humid. Once the Roma tomato seeds are completely dry, store them in a cool, dry location for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Determinate, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 10,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 60 Inches

Color: Red

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 1 reviews
5.0

Review By Blaine Killian

Mater seeds

Looking forward to making spaghetti sauce with these about August or September