Roma Tomato

10 Seeds

Roma Tomato is one of the world's most popular determinate paste tomato varieties, producing oval to plum-shaped bright red fruits with thick, meaty flesh, few seeds, and low moisture content. Fruits typically weigh 60–100 g and are excellent for sauces, tomato paste, canning, roasting, drying, and fresh cooking. Roma tomatoes are highly productive and perform exceptionally well in the Gulf region when planted during the cooler months. They are suitable for gardens, greenhouses, raised beds, 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 hot Gulf afternoons, provide 30% shade cloth if temperatures become excessive.

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:
  • 45–60 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 75–90 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 70–80 days after transplanting
• Pick fruits when they become bright red, firm, and fully developed.
• Harvest regularly to encourage maximum production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best harvest.
• Although Roma is a determinate variety, short stakes or tomato cages are recommended to support the heavy fruit load.
• 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.
• Maintain good air circulation by removing damaged or yellowing leaves.
• Roma Tomato performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, raised beds, containers, and open-field gardens.