Striped Roman Tomato

10 Seeds

Striped Roman Tomato is a prized Italian heirloom paste tomato known for its elongated red fruits with bright golden-yellow stripes. The fruits typically grow 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) long, have thick, meaty flesh with very few seeds, and a rich, sweet flavor with low acidity. It is one of the best varieties for tomato sauces, paste, roasting, drying, salsa, and fresh slicing. This vigorous indeterminate variety produces high yields 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 protected 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 overhead watering to help prevent 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
• Pick fruits when they are deep red with bright golden-yellow stripes and slightly soft to the touch.
• Harvest regularly to encourage continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for maximum productivity.
• Support plants with sturdy stakes, cages, or trellises, as this is an indeterminate variety.
• Remove lower leaves and excess suckers to improve airflow and produce larger fruits.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, then switch to a fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruiting.
• Apply organic mulch to reduce soil temperature and conserve moisture.
• Striped Roman Tomato performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, raised beds, and large containers.