Tomato Seeds - Paste - Rio Fuego
85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Rio Fuego Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, determinate, paste tomato (processing). Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Rio Fuego seeds grow a traditional Italian heirloom tomato known for its zesty flavor, thick walls, and rich, meaty texture. The Rio Fuego tomato grows in tightly-packed clusters of dense, red pear-shaped tomatoes commonly used in purees, pastes, and sauces ~7,500 seeds/oz.
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Growing Rio Fuego Paste Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden
In cooler climates, Rio Fuego seeds are best started indoors 7-9 weeks before the final frost of your growing zone. Begin sowing summer annual tomato plants in early spring with a seed-starting container under grow lights or in a greenhouse. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in a warm, moist seed-starting mix. Use a root growth-focused fertilizer at the time of sowing. Germination will take 1-2 weeks. You can sow Rio Fuego Tomato seeds outdoors once the threat of frost has passed or once your region's night temperatures exceed 50 F. These Roma tomato hybrids prefer full sun and a temperature range of 65-95 F with at least 50 F for germination. After 6 weeks, or once seedlings grow 3-4 inches tall with 1-2 sets of true leaves, harden off plants before transplanting outdoors. Till rich, composted soil and prepare 8-12 inch holes. Remove all of the smaller leaves on each Rio Fuego plant, leaving a single top set of sturdy leaves. Plant just 2 inches of the plant above the soil, with only their top set of healthy leaves exposed. Space the plants 2 inches apart with 3-4 inches in between rows.
Use a trellis or stake for support. You can also transfer Rio Fuego Red Tomatoes to a container at least 14-20 inches wide and 2 inches deep to set on your patio, as this small and shorter bush type grows 18-36 inches tall and doesn't take up too much space. Instead of potting soil, try using a rich soilless starting mixture. Feed your resilient Rio Fuego tomatoes by scattering a fertilizer made of peat moss and vermiculite at the base of the plants throughout the season. Water Rio Fuego plants 1-2 inches per week, depending on natural precipitation. In general, tomatoes prefer full sun and rich, warm, well-drained soil with added compost and a pH level of 6.0-6.8.
Harvesting Rio Fuego Paste Tomatoes
Harvest Rio Fuego Tomatoes before their skin feels too soft and once their red color is bright. In general, it's recommended to begin harvesting tomatoes once they start to turn in color. Harvest tomato plants by gently pulling the bright-red fruit from their calyx hat with one hand while holding the stem with the other. Rio Fuego paste tomatoes are a determinate bush variety and will have just a few weeks of harvest. The harvest will end at the first frost if it has not ended already.
About Rio Fuego Paste Tomato Garden Seeds
Rio Fuego seeds grow a traditional Italian heirloom tomato known for its zesty flavor, thick walls, and rich meaty texture. The Rio Fuego tomato grows in tightly-packed clusters of dense, red pear-shaped tomatoes commonly used in purees, pastes, and sauces.
The tomato plant is originally native to the Andes Mountains located in South America. They have been grown in Mexico domestically since before the landing of Christopher Columbus. They have since spread throughout the world, becoming pivotal in numerous cuisines from Latin to European to Asian cultures.
Determinate variety tomatoes don’t always need a trellis or tomato cage. They only grow to be one set size and, therefore, may not fall over unless there are high winds or the plant yields particularly heavy. Monitor your plants and add a tomato cage if necessary. Rio Fuego typically does benefit from staking, especially during the fruiting time.
Gardeners love growing a paste-type tomato like Rio Fuego for its hearty texture and Italian cooking options. Rio Fuego performs well in patio planters, small gardens, as well as commercial farming.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"One of my favorite tricks for eating fresh tomatoes is to salt and pepper them lightly before incorporating them into the dish. This simple step elevates the tomato taste and makes any dish with fresh tomatoes more delicious. From a BLT to a burger to a salad, this trick won't let you down!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Rio Fuego Paste Tomato Seeds Per Package:
- 300 mg packet - Approximately 80 Seeds
- .25 oz - Approximately 1,875 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 7,500 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 30,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 120,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 600,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Rio Fuego Paste Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Solanum lycoperscium (previously Lycopersicon esculentum) |
| Tomato Type: | Paste - These are oblong and often called Roma-type tomatoes. They have a lower water content. While they can be used in the same ways as slicing and salad tomatoes, they are most commonly used for canning and making tomato sauce or paste. |
| Processing - Rio Fuego Tomato Color: | Red |
| Processing - Rio Fuego Tomato Flavor: | Zesty, rich, meaty texture |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual: Not intended to overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 85 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 to 36 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 36 to 48 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Determinate - Determinate tomatoes are more compact, bush-type plants that set their fruit all at once and end the harvest. They won't continue to produce tomatoes after that. By planting multiple plants in intervals a week apart, you can continue to harvest for longer periods. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. |
| Plant Width: | 24 to 36 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready to harvest from 81 days or more from transplant. Difficult, if not impossible, to get a tomato by the 4th of July with these varieties. They are good late-summer to early-fall producers for most USDA Zones. |
| Germination Temperature: | 65-85 F |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Tomato Use: | Pastes, sauces, purees, stews, soups, etc. |