Purple Calabash Tomato

10 Seeds

Purple Calabash Tomato is a historic heirloom tomato variety famous for its deeply ribbed, irregular fruits with a striking deep purple to mahogany-red color. It has a rich, complex flavor that balances sweetness and acidity, making it one of the finest tomatoes for fresh salads, gourmet dishes, sandwiches, and sauces. Fruits typically weigh 150–350 g. 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, 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 very 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 wetting the leaves 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 develop a rich deep purple to mahogany-red color and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed.
• Pick fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the highest yields.
• Use sturdy stakes, trellises, or tomato cages since this is an indeterminate variety with vigorous growth.
• Prune lower leaves and excess side shoots to improve airflow and reduce disease.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth, then use a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruiting.
• Apply organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and keep the root zone cool.
• Purple Calabash Tomato performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, raised beds, and large containers.