Italian Tomato

100 Seeds

Note: Italian Tomato generally refers to traditional Italian paste and cooking tomato varieties, prized for their meaty flesh, rich flavor, few seeds, and excellent cooking qualities. Fruits are usually oval or elongated, bright red, and weigh 80–180 g, depending on the variety. They are ideal for tomato sauce, paste, soups, pizza, canning, roasting, sun-drying, and fresh cooking. Most Italian tomato varieties are indeterminate, producing fruit continuously throughout the season, although some are determinate. They perform exceptionally well in the Gulf region when planted during the cooler months and are 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.
• Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry and 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:
  • 75–90 days after transplanting
• Harvest fruits when they become deep red, firm, and fully mature.
• Pick fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best harvest.
• Support plants with sturdy stakes, tomato cages, or trellises, especially for indeterminate varieties.
• Prune lower leaves and excessive side shoots to improve airflow and reduce disease.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth, then switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruiting.
• Apply organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce root-zone temperature.
• Italian Tomato performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, raised beds, large containers, and open gardens.