Solanum lycopersicum ( San Marzano ) tomato is an heirloom, open pollinated, indeterminate, plum variety. The San Marzano earns its popularity as the best tomato for canning and is the most widely commercially canned variety. It was developed in a town with the same name, in Italy during the 1800’s. This variety is also labelled as the only tomato that can be used for “true” Neapolitan sauce.
San Marzano tomatoes are easy to peel and have an almost seedless flesh. They are is also good for sun drying, however the taste is a little acidic as a salad tomato. You are unlikely to find these tomatoes at a store, unless you are at a market near Mount Vesuvius in Italy, where they are grown in the rich volcanic soil.
Suitable for all climates.
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Growth
The San Marzano Tomato plant is a fairly large growing, indeterminate plant, which can reach up to 2.4m (8 feet) high and 1m (3) feet in width. It is important to provide some support for tomato plants, especially indeterminate ones. This is best done in the form of stakes, tomato frames, lattice or similar and train/tie the plant to as it grows. Supporting tomato plants this way will increase air circulation & sunlight to branches, while also assisting with disease and pest reduction; you will get a healthier, more bountiful crop this way.
When cared for well this variety is quite quick growing and can produce fruit in as little as 85-110 days from seed. San Marzano fruit is a long oblong shape and averages 7.5cm (3 inches) in length and is a high yielding.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Solanaceae
CLIMATE:
All climates
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 35°C / 50 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well drained, compost rich, loamy, or sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun. Will tolerate some afternoon shade but full sun for at least 8 hours a day preferred,
HEIGHT:
Up to 2.4 metres (8 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.7
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual, indeterminate, climber.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium.
POLLINATION:
Self-pollinating. Bees and insects can help.
MATURITY:
85-110 days from seed.
GERMINATION RATES:
83-94%
GERMINATION TIME:
9-14 days in ideal temperatures.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy in the right climate.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 380
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM (Cherry Roma Tomato)
San Marzano Tomatoes have quite a rich, bittersweet flavour. While some call them the ‘King of all tomatoes’, many find them too acidic to enjoy raw. It is this acidity that makes them such a great variety for preserving.
The foliage of tomato plants can be toxic to humans and some pets.
Tomatoes are full of nutritional goodness like Vitamin C, K1, Potassium, Folate & Beta Carotene. For more information about tomatoes and your health, click here.
