Roma Tomato (Paste Tomato)
Plant Description
The Roma Tomato is a popular plum-shaped tomato known for its dense, meaty flesh and low moisture content. This makes it the ideal choice for canning, sauces, and making tomato paste. The fruits are typically about three inches long, bright red when ripe, and have a rich, tangy flavor.
Roma tomatoes are a determinate variety, meaning they grow to a compact, pre-determined size, bear their fruit all at once, and then stop producing. This characteristic makes them excellent for growers who wish to harvest a large batch for processing at a single time.
General Growing Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Determinate (Bush) |
| Mature Plant Height | Typically 3 to 4 feet (90–120 cm) |
| Plant Spacing | 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) between plants |
| Row Spacing | 3–4 feet (90–120 cm) between rows |
| Days to Maturity | 70–80 days from transplant |
Plant Care and Cultivation
Roma tomatoes are relatively easy to grow but require full sun and consistent watering.
- Sunlight: Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: Prefers well-draining, rich, and slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.8).
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells and fruit development. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
- Support: Due to their heavy fruit load, caging or staking is recommended to support the plants and keep the fruit off the ground.
Popular Roma Tomato Recipes
These tomatoes are kitchen workhorses. Visit our Recipe Section for guides on:
- Classic Italian Tomato Sauce
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Dehydrated)
- Oven-Roasted Tomato Soup
- Home-Canned Diced Tomatoes
Harvesting and Storing Options
Harvest when the tomatoes are fully red and firm. Roma tomatoes store exceptionally well and are primarily used for:
- Canning: The low moisture and thick walls make them ideal.
- Freezing: Core and place whole or chopped tomatoes in freezer bags for later use in cooking.
- Drying: Slice and dehydrate for sun-dried tomatoes.
- Short-term Storage: Store at room temperature away from direct sun. Avoid refrigeration as it diminishes flavor and texture.
Horticulture: Propagation via Cuttings
Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings, often called **suckers**. This technique allows you to clone your favorite plant:
- Select a healthy sucker (a side shoot between the main stem and a branch) that is about 6-8 inches long.
- Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water or moist, sterile potting mix.
- Roots should form within 7–14 days. Once roots are established, transplant.
Tip: Keep the cutting out of direct sun while rooting to reduce stress.
Horticulture: Grafting Tomatoes
Grafting, which joins a desired variety (scion, e.g., Roma) onto a disease-resistant rootstock (stock), can be used to improve performance.
- Primary Benefits: Significantly increased resistance to soil-borne diseases (like Fusarium and Verticillium wilt) and improved plant vigor.
- Technique: The most common method involves making complementary cuts on the scion and stock and joining them with a grafting clip until they heal.