First released in the United States during the 1950s, Roma VF tomato is a plum type tomato. The plants are compact and have a determinate growing habit. This variety produces heavy yields of plum-shaped, bright red tomatoes with very few seeds. Roma VF is commonly used for sauces, tomato paste, and ketchup.
– Latin Name: Solanum lycopersicum– Life Cycle: Annual– Days to Maturity: 80– Planting Depth: 5 mm – 1 cm– Plant Spacing: 45-60 cm– Row Spacing: 120 cm– Growth Habit: Determinate
For most folks, tomatoes are an indispensable summer fruit. There are scores of heirloom varieties showcasing different shapes, sizes, colors, flavours and textures. Tap into this large selection when starting from seed. You have the ability to grow and eat your perfect tomato!
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date. In flats or individual pots, plant seeds at 1 cm. Make sure soil stays warm and moist. The ideal temperature for germination is 21°C. Keep seedlings under lights, a few centimeters away from the top of the plants and adjust as needed. An oscillating fan will provide the young plants some resistance. This will result in stockier stems and more structurally sound tomato plants. Seedlings should be hardened off a week prior to transplanting.
When the soil is 16°c and all danger of frost has passed it is time to transplant. Pinch off any sets of lower leaves that are yellow or faded so more of the stem can be buried. Place roots deeply into the hole to the point that the bottom leaves are just above the surface of the soil. Roots will sprout from the stalk and provide a stronger base for the plant.
Provide a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Water well, about 5cm/week, mulch and feed every two weeks. Leave fruits on the vine to ripen as long as possible.
A determinate tomato is a bush-type plant, usually reaching about three to four feet tall, making them ideal for the small-space gardener. The fruits of a determinate tomato plant ripen all at once, which is useful for those who want to grow tomatoes for canning. Indeterminate tomatoes grow continuously until the first frost and can reach six to twenty feet in height. Indeterminate plants produce tomatoes all season long for a continuous harvest.
If indeterminate varieties are being grown, be sure to set up tall trellises or cages to support the wandering vines. One sturdy stake and some twine should suffice for determinate varieties.
Tomatoes can easily be frozen whole, but never refrigerate a tomato. This will deteriorate its fresh garden taste and texture. Enjoy fresh throughout the season and make multiple batches of sauce and salsa to savour through the winter.
– The ancestor of the tomato is native to South America, where the wild versions are the size of peas. The Spanish first introduced tomatoes to Europe during the 1500s. Unique varieties were developed over the next several hundred years to improve production, size, shape, colour, and flavour.
– Tomato seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
You know that a lush, fruitful garden needs good soil, frequent watering, and sunlight to grow, but it’s the seeds that really make the harvest.
Picked and bagged for 2025 the vast majority of our seeds have germination rates of over 85%. The seeds are all-natural, non-GMO, non-hybrid, untreated, and open-pollinated for seed saving.
We have put a lot of thoughts into the design and packaging of our seed packets. Our seeds are all carefully packed in food grade kraft paper/aluminium zipper lock bags, and then are shipped in eco-friendly padded mailers.
We heat-seal each of our seed packet for even more protection from moisture, odour and light, allowing you to store your seeds for up to 3x longer than paper or plastic. Plant them all, germinate some indoors, save some for next season – it’s up to you! Customer Reviews
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Roma tomatoes are a garden staple known for their slender, oval shape and meaty flesh that make them perfect for sauces and canning. But when it comes to growing them, there is often confusion around whether Roma tomatoes are determinate or indeterminate. The answer to this question is important, as it affects how the plants are cared for and supported. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Roma tomato growth habits and clear up whether popular varieties like Roma VF are determinate or indeterminate.
Understanding Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes
First, let’s cover the key differences between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties.
Determinate tomatoes, sometimes called “bush” types, are more compact plants that grow to a fixed size, usually about 3-4 feet tall. These plants set and ripen most of their fruit at once over a 2-3 week period. Determinate varieties are great for container gardening or situations where space is limited.
Indeterminate tomatoes are also called “vining” types. They continue growing and producing fruit all season until killed by frost. Without pruning, indeterminate tomatoes can reach 6 feet tall or more. They bloom and set new fruit progressively over an extended harvest period. This makes them ideal for fresh eating all summer long. However, they require more space and support in the garden.
- Determinate – Grow to fixed size, ripen crop all at once, great for containers and small spaces
- Indeterminate – Continue growing all season, extended harvest period, need more space and support
Now let’s look specifically at whether popular Roma-type tomatoes are determinate or indeterminate.
Are Roma Tomatoes Determinate or Indeterminate?
The short answer is that most authentic Roma varieties are determinate. This includes beloved heirlooms like ‘Roma’ and ‘San Marzano’ as well as newer developments like ‘Roma VF’.
Roma tomatoes trace their ancestry to Italy. Over centuries, Italian farmers selected for a compact, upright growth habit. This allowed the meaty, plum-shaped fruits to fully ripen while concentrated on a short bushy plant. As a result, authentic Roma types exhibit determinate growth.
Let’s take a closer look at one of the most popular Roma-style tomatoes Roma VF
Roma VF Tomato Determinate Traits
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Compact Habit – Roma VF is a determinate, bushy plant reaching 3-4 feet tall at maturity It does not require staking or pruning
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Concentrated Fruit Set – The oblong, thick-walled tomatoes ripen within 2-3 weeks on sturdy branches Roma VF is bred to bear heavy yields without support
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Disease Resistance – Roma VF has genetic resistance to verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt, making it a sturdy grower. Determinate types limit disease spread.
Growing Tips for Roma VF and Determinate Tomatoes
If you’re excited to grow Roma VF or other determinate tomatoes, here are some key tips:
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Give them space – Allow 24-36 inches between plants. Determinates grow compactly but benefit from good air circulation.
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Go easy on nitrogen fertilizer – Too much nitrogen leads to leafy plants with less fruit. Focus on maintaining consistent soil moisture instead.
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Use cages for support – Sturdy tomato cages keep plants contained and prevent fruit from touching the ground.
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Harvest promptly – Check bushes daily as fruits ripen and harvest as soon as they are fully red and firm. This ensures peak flavor.
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Stake for extreme yields – If planting very closely, use short stakes and loose ties to support extra-heavy fruit loads.
With their iconic oblong shape and meaty flesh, Roma tomatoes are a joy to grow. Understanding that most authentic Roma varieties are determinate makes it easier to provide them with proper growing conditions. Paying attention to key determinate traits allows you to maximize their compact growth habit and abundant harvests. Growing Roma VF? You can be confident it will perform like a classic bushy Roma with proper care. Now go enjoy some delicious homegrown tomato sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions About Roma Tomato Growth Habits
Are all Roma tomato varieties determinate?
The vast majority of authentic Roma varieties are determinate. However, some hybrids with Roma in the name can be indeterminate. It’s always smart to check the specific variety.
Why are most Roma tomatoes determinate?
Roma tomatoes were selected by Italian farmers over many generations for determinate, upright growth. This allowed the oblong fruits to fully ripen concentrated on short plants, perfect for sauce-making.
How can you tell if a tomato variety is determinate or indeterminate?
Check seed packets and catalog descriptions for key terms. Determinate tomatoes will be described as “bush” or “dwarf” whereas indeterminate types are noted as “vine” or “tall.”
Can I prune my Roma tomato plants?
You can prune determinate Roma varieties, but it is not necessary. At most, pinch out suckers in the leaf axils to encourage air flow. Hard pruning is not needed or beneficial.
How long does it take Roma VF tomatoes to ripen?
Roma VF is an early variety, ripening its main crop around 75 days from transplanting. Expect the concentrated harvest period to last 2-3 weeks once fruits start coloring up.
Conclusion
When it comes to growing robust tomato crops, understanding determinate vs. indeterminate growth habits is key. Vine-like indeterminates require more space and pruning, while bushy determinates stay compact and concentrate fruit set. Authentic Roma varieties exemplify determinate traits, allowing them to produce abundant crops of meaty, sauce-perfect fruits. Top choices like Roma VF continue the tradition – determinate growth makes them easy to grow and harvest. Now that you know what makes Roma tomatoes tick, you can be ready for flavorful success!
They got here nice and fast:) I look forwa…
They got here nice and fast:) I look forward to growing them in the spring and making tomato sauce next fall! D 12/10/2021
Got the seeds but haven’t planted them
Got the seeds but havent planted them NL 07/02/2022