Chapter 18. Tomato Production
Josh H. Freeman, Eugene J. McAvoy, Nathan S. Boyd, Ramdas Kanissery, Hugh A. Smith, Johan Desaeger,
Joseph W. Noling, and Gary E. Vallad
Botany and Planting
Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum, Solanaceae
Table 18.1. Planting information for tomato.
Planting dates
North Florida July-Aug; Feb-Apr
West-central Florida Aug-Sept; Jan-Feb
South Florida Aug-Feb
Planting information
Distance between rows (in.) 48-72
Distance between plants (in.) 18-32
Days to maturity 70-90
Plant population per acre 3630-4356
Cultivars
For more information on tomato varieties use the link below.
1. LARGE FRUITED AND BEEFSTAKE TYPES
Amelia
and aromatic suitable for green or vine ripe. Good crack resistance.
Bella Rosa. Midseason maturity. Fruit are large to extra-large, deep
vine-ripe production. Determinate, medium to tall vine.
BHN 602. Early-midseason maturity. Fruit are globe shape but larger
than BHN 640, and green shouldered.
BHN 730.
through the top of the plant.
BHN 975. Midseason maturity. “Hot set” variety. Strong bush with large,
smooth fruit.
BHN 1006. Determinate round variety for spring production in South
Florida.
Camaro. Medium plant with limited to no pruning. Extra large globe
shaped fruit.
Charger. Vigorous plant with good vine cover. Large, smooth, deep
Crista. Midseason maturity. Large, deep globe fruit with tall robust
color and shelf-life.
Everglade. Full season maturity with deep oblate fruit. Performs well in
cool weather conditions.
Florida 47. A late midseason, determinate, jointed hybrid. Uniform green,
globe-shaped fruit.
Florida 91. Midseason variety. Uniform green fruit borne on jointed pedicels.
Determinate plant. Good fruit-setting ability under high temperatures.
Grand Marshall. Mid-season vigorous plant with hot set and extra large
to large oblate fruit.
HM 1823. Determinate round tomato, early maturing variety with a strong
plant and large to extra-large round fruit.
Phoenix. Early mid-season. Fruit are large to extra-large, high quality,
-
nate, vigorous vine with good leaf cover for fruit protection.
Raceway (STM9203). Main season. Mid vigorous with good vine cover,
suited for light pruning. Mostly extra-large, smooth, deep oblate fruit with
Red Bounty. Medium maturity, good heat set, extra large globe fruit.
Red Defender. Medium maturity. Vigorous vine with smooth, large deep
Red Morning. Early variety with medium plant. Large to extra large
round fruit.
Resolute. Mid-season variety with strong plant and extra large to large
fruit.
Red Rave (RFT 6153). Main season. Fruit have good eating quality and
vine-ripe. Large determinate plants.
Sanibel.
and a tight blossom end. Large determinate bush.
Sebring. A main season, determinate, jointed hybrid with smooth, deep
Skyway. Main season variety with a strong plant. Extra large globe
shaped fruit.
Solar Fire. An early, determinate, jointed hybrid. “Hot set” variety. Fruit
are smooth.
Soraya. Full season. Fruit are high quality, smooth and tend toward large
to extra-large. Continuous set. Strong, large bush.
Southern Ripe. Full season maturity with a medium plant. Deep oblate
fruit that are adapted to cooler conditions.
SV 7631. Mid season variety with medium to strong plant with extra large
to large oblate fruit.
Tasti-Lee. It was released for the premium tomato market. A midseason,
determinate, jointed hybrid with moderate heat-tolerance. Fruit are uniform
green with a high lycopene content and deep red interior color due to the
crimson gene.
Volante. Mid-season “hot set” variety with determinate, medium to tall
uniform green fruits well suited for mature green or vine-ripe production.
2. PLUM AND ROMA TYPES
BHN 685. Midseason. Large to extra-large, deep blocky, globe shaped
fruit. Determinate, vigorous bush with no pruning recommended.
Daytona. Midseason compact plant. Blocky elongated large to extra
large fruit.
Mariana. Midseason. Fruit are predominately extra-large and extremely
uniform in shape. Fruit wall is thick and external and internal color is very
sized plant with good fruit set.