Rio Grande Tomato Seed Packet

The Rio Grande Tomato is a perennial herbaceous plant cultivated as an annual, sensitive to cold. Early varieties usually reach lengths of 1.2 m, while late varieties can grow to about 2.5 m. The fruit is a berry, with domesticated species typically yielding bilocular or multilocular fruits, usually found between 5 to 9 locules. The shape can vary often being depress-globose or oblong. It has numerous small, flattened seeds enclosed in a gelatinous mass formed by the parenchyma tissue that fills the cavities of the ripe fruit.

General cultivation advice: This plant prefers fertile, fresh, humus-rich, loose, permeable, and deep soils, thriving in the tropical climate where it can be grown nearly year-round in Mediterranean climates with minimal effort. Minimum temperatures should not drop below 12°C, with optimal temperatures between 18 and 20°C. Seeds can be sown in trays or directly in the ground. Transplanting occurs when there are no frost risks. Indeterminate varieties need staking as the plants reach 20-30 cm in height. Water immediately after transplanting and continue every 8-10 days. Fertilization with N-P-K and magnesium is also recommended. Careful monitoring of plant health is crucial, especially under extreme conditions. Regular pruning enhances production and quality.