Estiva is a heat-loving F1 hybrid slicer tomato that brings impressive warmth tolerance to zones 3 through 11, making it a standout choice for gardeners in hot climates where other varieties struggle. This indeterminate vine grows tall and productive, reaching harvest in just 70 days from transplants. The exclusive offering from Johnny's Selected Seeds combines reliable disease resistance with a delicious, versatile fruit suitable for fresh eating and slicing.
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Moderate
3-11
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Moderate
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Estiva's real strength lies in how it handles heat without sacrificing flavor or production, a combination that's difficult to find in hybrid slicers. At 70 days to harvest, it arrives early enough to beat midsummer heat stress while staying productive through hot weather. The disease package of Fusarium Wilt, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and Verticillium Wilt resistance means you're growing a plant built to survive the pressures that often derail home gardens.
Estiva shines as a fresh slicing tomato, delivering the classic firm texture and flavor expected on sandwiches, salads, and summer plates. Its heat tolerance and vigor make it equally at home in market gardens or home plots where consistent production matters more than boutique flavor profiles.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep about 5 to 6 weeks before your transplant date. Use 20-row flats with 20 seeds per row or 200-cell trays with one seed per cell, lightly covering the seed. Maintain soil temperature at 75 to 85°F with moderate moisture; germination typically occurs in 5 to 7 days. When the first true leaf appears, pot up seedlings into 50-cell trays or 4-inch pots depending on your expected transplant timing. Grow at a constant 60 to 70°F under complete fertilizer until hardened off.
Transplant after your last spring frost once soil has warmed. Avoid setting out leggy, root-bound, or already-flowering transplants, as these will cause stunting and reduce early production. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 48 inches wide.
Pick near-ripe to fully ripe fruit depending on your storage intentions. Blemish-free tomatoes can be stored 4 to 7 days at room temperature in darkness. For longer storage, harvest fruit that's less ripe and keep it at cooler temperatures between 45 and 60°F, though picking too green will sacrifice final quality. Avoid fully mature fruit if you plan to store it for extended periods.
For tall indeterminate varieties like Estiva, pruning becomes necessary once the vine outgrows a manageable size for easy harvest. Consider short extensions on your support structure or strategic pruning to keep the canopy within reach, particularly important for an indeterminate variety that will continue growing throughout the season.
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