Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Orange Queen

Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Growing Orange Queen Slicer Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

Six to eight weeks prior to the last spring frost, begin your tomato seeds indoors in seed starting trays. Use a well-draining potting or germinating mix to start the seeds. Plant two or three seeds per cell and cover the seeds. Water them in gently to avoid washing the seeds away. Water the tray regularly and use a clear plastic dome or plastic wrap to improve humidity and moisture around the tray. As soon as one of the seedlings emerges, move the tray to a bright window or provide grow lights positioned a few inches above the tray. The seedlings should receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. Tomatoes are very sensitive to insufficient light and will not grow as readily if the light is too weak or too short. If using, remove the greenhouse dome or plastic wrap once the seedlings have developed true leaves. Thin the seedlings to one per cell by removing the weaker seedlings when they have reached two inches tall. Fertilize once they have two sets of true leaves. Transplant the seedlings into larger pots once their root systems have developed beyond the starting cell’s capacity but a few weeks before they can be moved outdoors; using biodegradable pots will speed up the final transplantation.

Before planting them into your garden soil, the seedlings should be hardened off gradually to acclimate to the sunnier, windier conditions. Transplant the seedlings into the garden once the danger of frost has passed. Bury a calcium supplement in the soil beneath the seedlings. Bury most of the stems to encourage more root development. Leave at least one good set of leaves at the top. Remove the lower leaves that can’t reach the sunlight or might be buried and any suckers growing in between fruit-bearing branches. Fertilize with compost, worm castings, or another fertilizer of choice when planting into the garden. Prune the bush periodically throughout the season to remove suckers and bottom leaves. Fertilize once more in mid-season. It's important to water Orange Queen tomato plants so that the soil stays evenly moist; this helps prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Limit any spread of disease by avoiding water or mud on the leaves. Applying mulch can help the soil stay evenly moist. Protect the plants from any cool weather below 50 F; they are not cold-tolerant.

Harvesting Orange Queen Slicer Tomatoes

Orange Queen produces for about one month. If the harvest buts up against a frost, pull up the plant and finish ripening the tomatoes off the vine indoors. They are best harvested off the vine when fully red and shiny but still firm. Gently twist the tomato off the calyx or snip it loose if it won’t come on its own.

About Orange Queen Slicer Tomato Garden Seeds

Orange Queen tomato plants are suited for various growing locations, including raised beds, large containers (minimum of 10 gallons), fields, greenhouses, and more. Ensure they get full sun and regular watering patterns. Orange Queen tomatoes feature a tame and mild flavor that captivates your tongue. These early-maturing 4 to 6-ounce beefsteaks make for a beautiful ingredient and quick on-the-go snack.

Slicing tomatoes are medium to large and round, ideal for fresh eating. The juicy fruits are higher in water content than paste tomatoes, making them premier for fresh applications. They can also be cooked but require longer cooking time to reduce and thicken.

Tomatoes are native to the tropical regions of South and Central America and love warm weather and plentiful sunshine. However, since first being introduced to Europe in the 16th Century, different tomato cultivars have been developed and grown globally in numerous types of climates.

To get multiple harvests from these determinate tomato plants, start the seeds in succession. This means starting a small batch of the seeds and then 2-4 weeks later starting another batch, and so on, until you have calculated that the last batch will ripen right before your predicted first frost of fall. This will ensure you have delicious tomatoes all season long!

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I love the visual appeal of layering these with other red beefsteak tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves and then drizzling with balsamic glaze for a colorful tomato-lover’s Caprese salad. Delicious, nutritious, and beautiful!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Orange Queen Slicer Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg packet - Approximately 65 Seeds
• .25 oz - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 108,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Orange Queen Slicer Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.