Costoluto Fiorentino tomato

10 Seeds

Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato is a classic Italian heirloom variety famous for its deeply ribbed, flattened fruits and outstanding rich tomato flavor. The large fruits, typically weighing 200–500 g, ripen from green to a vibrant deep red and have meaty flesh with few seeds. They are excellent for fresh salads, slicing, sauces, roasting, stuffing, and traditional Italian cuisine. This vigorous indeterminate variety grows continuously throughout the season and performs exceptionally well in the Gulf region when planted during the cooler months. It is suitable for gardens, greenhouses, raised beds, large containers, and hydroponic systems.

Best Planting Time

• August to October (recommended)
• January to February (for greenhouse cultivation)
• Avoid outdoor planting when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 38–40°C.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in warm water (25–28°C) for 6–8 hours before sowing (optional).
• No cold stratification is required.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or nursery pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite.
• Keep the growing medium consistently moist until germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 22–28°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 20–28°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During extremely hot Gulf afternoons, provide 30% shade cloth.

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination.
• Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal diseases.

Germination Time

• 5–10 days

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 60–75 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 90–120 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 80–90 days after transplanting
• Harvest fruits when they become deep red, firm, and slightly soft when gently pressed.
• Pick fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best yields.
• Support plants with sturdy stakes, trellises, or tomato cages, as this is an indeterminate variety with heavy fruit.
• Remove lower leaves and excess side shoots to improve air circulation and reduce disease.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, then switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruiting.
• Apply organic mulch to conserve moisture and keep the root zone cool.
• Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, raised beds, and large containers.