Tomato 'Roma VF'

Lycopersicon lycopersicum

Family:	Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus:	Lycopersicon (ly-koh-PER-see-kon) (Info)
Species:	lycopersicum (ly-koh-PER-see-kum) (Info)
Cultivar:	Roma VF

» View all varieties of Tomatoes

3 members have or want this plant for trade.

Height:

24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Spacing:

15-18 in. (38-45 cm)

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun

Danger:

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Seed Collecting:

Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds

Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds

Ferment seeds before storing

Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Growing Habit:

Determinate

Fruit Shape:

Plum

Fruit Size:

Medium (under one pound)

Days to Maturity:

Mid (69-80 days)

Fruit Colors:

Red

Seed Type:

Open-pollinated

Usage:

Fresh, salad

Fresh, slicing

Canning

Drying

Disease Resistance:

Verticillium Wilt (V)

Fusarium Wilt (F)

Leaf Type:

Regular Leaf

Regional

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Flagstaff, Arizona

Lawndale, California

Santa Barbara, California

Denver, Colorado

Elizabeth, Colorado

Monticello, Florida

Mountain Home, Idaho

Benton, Kentucky

Ortonville, Michigan

Drexel, North Carolina

Jamestown, Ohio

Grand Mound, Washington

show all

Print this article Upload an image

Gardeners' Notes:

positives

neutrals

negative

Rating	Content
Positive	On Sep 16, 2018, windycold from Mountain Home, ID wrote: I live in zone 5'ish South Idaho. I started the seed inside during the winter, and it germinated very well - too well, because I couldn't bring myself to kill any of them. Transplanted into backyard. Watered until they seemed to be focussing too much on the leaves, and not enough on the blossoms, then switched to minimal watering, and got a huge crop when everybody around me is having issues. I like the flavor for fresh eating, but my family doesn't. The tomatos will be going into spaghetti and chili anyway. Now that the freezer is stuffed and everybody I know has a bucket, and the stupid plants keep ripening, I'm tired of the whole experience.
Neutral	On Sep 27, 2010, sketchkat06 from Lawndale, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Well, despite a couple of first time good on my part this variety of tomato grew very well. Number one this is a determinate so you don't necessarily have to prune for suckers. Once I realized that and stopped pruning the suckers off I saw they didn't get too crazy. As for the fruit - I have found I'm not fond of it at all. Tastes just like the bland store bought ones. I'm sure they'll be fine for making seasoned sauces once the whole batch ripens, but I won't be growing them again. I have too little space to grow something that tastes like the store tomatoes that I'm trying to avoid.
Positive	On Feb 19, 2010, dlbailey from Central Valley, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: This has been a standard paste tomato for the last few decades for a reason. It is very productive and has a fairly good taste. Produced all Summer and into the Fall in the Central Valley.
Positive	On Apr 28, 2008, fredgamble from Santa Barbara, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Enormous harvest of blemish free fruit.
Negative	On Sep 27, 2005, fwfarm from Lebanon, OR (Zone 7b) wrote: This one always got some kind of disease for me (go figure). The hybrid pastes always did much better, so I've stopped growing this one and am still looking for the ultimate OP paste.

Neutral	On Jun 1, 2004, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote: Decent enough for salsa and drying. Production was really good though. Too dry and tasteless for fresh eating, but adds body to soups and sauces.
Positive	On Feb 27, 2003, afghanshark from Austin, TX wrote: I garden in zone 8 and this is one of my workhorse tomatoes for the summer. You have your choice with this tomato; keep it a little dry and improve the flavor, or keep it moist and increase the yield. There is a lot of variation with this strain; your best bet is to get seed from a reputable source and grow it yourself.
Neutral	On Feb 1, 2003, Rootsie from Fredericton, wrote: I grew these for several years. Great for cooking, but a little bland for eating fresh. Good fruit later in the season, but the first flush is very prone to blossom end rot. They are not too moist, so they freeze well.
Positive	On May 9, 2002, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: One of the best for paste. The plant is determinate, and can be induced to re-flower and fruit if cut back severely after harvest; next crop will be ready in 20-30 days. Resists most diseases. Good all-purpose tomato for limited space, or for specialized uses in canning or drying: one of the best. Readily available as seed or seedlings.