Description
| Seeds | 25 seeds $1.99, 100 seeds $4.75 |
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Roman Candle (Yellow Sauce Tomato)
Heritage: Glenview, Illinois USA
This variety originated from the farm of avid gardener John Swenson, member of the Seed Savers Exchange (USA). In the early 2000’s it started-off as a rogue from parent heirloom; Speckled Roman (originally a cross between heirlooms Banana Leggs and Antique Roman). Continued careful breeding produced the lovely yellow paste tomato. It is now one of the few remaining yellow elongated paste tomatoes around.
Large vining plants produce long straight plum tomatoes, with a candle tip growing to 4” (10 cm) long. Skin is smooth glowing yellow, with lovely thick, solid yellow flesh. Excellent to experiment with in sauces and paste. Brings a hint of summer sunshine into a winter meal of yellow pasta sauce! Indeterminate. Matures in 85-90 days. (310 seeds/g)
Our Thoughts: A few years back we were especially proud when our Roman Candle Tomatoes took 1st place beating 6 other yellow tomato entries at the local fall fair!
Indeterminate plants are tall and sprawling continuing to grow and produce fruit until they are eventually killed by frost. This could be your preference if you are looking for a few tomatoes ripening at a time throughout the entire growing season. However, “a few” will vary with the variety you choose. It could mean three-four at a time for the larger varieties, or fifty-sixty at a time for the smaller crudités.
Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are heat loving plants that can adapt themselves to almost any growing zone providing there is ample sunshine and the season is long enough to allow the fruits to fully mature. Start seeds indoors in small pots 6 weeks before last frost date by planting them just below the surface of the soil. As the weather warms, harden-off the plants by setting them outside in the sun for a few hours each day. When the ground has fully warmed and the season has stabilized transplant to a sunny area of the garden. Remove all yellow leaves and any buds or flowers that have formed. This allows the plant to concentrate on developing a good deep root system in its new home. Plant deep burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. Plants should be at least 12-18” (30-45cm) apart to allow for ample circulation and room to grow. Most tomatoes do best when support is provided either by using poles, cages or trellising. The most suitable companion plants for tomatoes are; asparagus, chives, onions, parsley, marigolds and carrots. Do not plant near potatoes, corn, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Tomatoes usually germinate within 5-7days (75-95ºF/24-35ºC).
