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Solanum lycopersicum.

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From seed to harvest

Common nameMarmalade Skies F1 tomato.
FamilySolanaceae.
GenusSolanum
Specieslycopersicum.
CultivarMarmalade Skies
TypeF1 hybrid seeds.
Botanical nameSolanum lycopersicum.
Quantity per packet5 seeds

Organic 'Marmalade Skies' F1 Tomato Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum). Solanum lycopersicum, produces deep orange fruit that is slightly flattened and moderately ribbed. At approximately 200 to 225 g (7 to 8 oz), the tomatoes make generous slices for salads and sandwiches. This indeterminate tomato grows throughout the warm season and requires support. The hybrid was selected for high resistance to late blight, although regular disease monitoring remains important. Its orange colour contrasts with standard red tomatoes and makes it useful in mixed-variety presentations. For practical seed starting, growing from seed succeeds best when the verified product depth, moisture and temperature guidance is followed.

Start seeds indoors approximately five to six weeks before planting in a warm, bright place. Cover seeds with about 6 mm (¼ in.) of mix and keep the medium moist. After emergence, favour consistent bright light rather than excessive heat that encourages leggy stems. Harden plants off gradually before setting them in full sun. Space plants approximately 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 in.) apart and install a cage or trellis at planting. Water consistently at soil level; well-drained soil and airy foliage make this vigorous tomato easier to manage. Use the product details as a clear guide on how to start seeds while keeping the growing medium evenly moist, never saturated. For indoor seed starting, count back from local conditions and frost dates to decide when to start indoor seeds. Starting tomato seeds with steady warmth supports even emergence; move each tomato seedling into bright light promptly.

Harvest when the orange colour is fully developed and the flesh yields slightly to gentle pressure. The breeder’s 75-day maturity is counted from transplanting and will vary with warmth and growing conditions. For a summer plate, cut fruit into wedges, add cucumber and fresh herbs, and season just before serving. Thick slices also work well on toast with fresh cheese. Orange colour is the useful harvest cue for this variety; waiting for it to turn red is inappropriate. Refrigerate portions once cut.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure
Full sun.
Life cycle
Annual.
Hardiness
Cultivée comme annuelle après le dernier gel.
Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

0.3 to 0.6 cm (0.12 to 0.24 in).

Spacing / density

60 to 90 cm (23.6 to 35.4 in.) between plants; 120 to 180 cm (47.2 to 70.9 in.) between rows.

Germination temperature

23 to 29 °C (73.4 to 84.2 °F).

Germination time

5 to 10 days at 23 to 29 °C.

Sowing period

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Sow 0.3 to 0.6 cm deep in clean, lightly moistened seed-starting mix. Maintain 23 to 29 °C until emergence, then provide bright light.

Propagation

By seed; seed saved from an F1 hybrid will not come true to type.

Growing method

Transplant seedlings into individual pots once the first true leaves have developed. In Canada, time outdoor planting according to the local last-frost date, soil warmth and reliably mild nights. Harden seedlings off gradually, install supports at planting and allow enough space for harvesting and good air circulation. Water slowly at soil level to moisten the root zone, then let the surface begin to dry before watering again. Consistent moisture during fruit development helps reduce cracking and other physiological disorders. For indoor tomato seed starting, use a clean mix, steady warmth and bright light after emergence. This seed starting sequence supports reliable growing from seed while preserving the product-specific depth and temperature facts.
Soil and care

Soil and care

Soil & care

Soil pH

6.0 to 6.8.

Moisture

Evenly moist soil with no standing water.

Minimum temperature

Frost-tender; plant after the last frost once nights remain mild.

Care level

Moderate.

Watering

Mulch applied after the soil warms reduces evaporation and soil splash. Check container moisture more often and empty the saucer after watering.

Soil type

Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil that holds even moisture without remaining saturated. Incorporate finished compost before planting and avoid cold or compacted ground. In containers, use vegetable potting mix rather than garden soil alone. Effective drainage keeps air around the roots and reduces problems caused by standing water.

Fertilization

Incorporate finished compost at planting. Supplement with a vegetable fertilizer according to its label and the soil’s fertility, especially in containers where frequent watering leaches nutrients. Avoid excess nitrogen, which favours leaves over fruit. Water a dry root ball before fertilizing and adjust applications to actual growth.

Seasonal care

Start seedlings warm in spring and pot them on before roots become crowded. Harden off and plant after frost in warmed soil. Install support and water deeply. In early summer, mulch, tie stems and inspect leaf undersides. Remove damaged leaves without stripping the plant. Maintain consistent moisture during fruiting, check ties and split fruit after heavy rain, harvest before frost and remove diseased residue. Clean supports and rotate crops the following year.
Growing in containers

Container growing

Container growing

Recommended pot size

40 to 60 L, one plant per container.
Use a stable container with drainage holes and 40 to 60 L of potting mix for one plant. Place it in full sun where air circulates, anchor a cage or stake at planting and tie stems as they grow. Check moisture daily in hot weather, water until excess drains and never leave the pot standing in a full saucer. Fertilize moderately according to the product label and harvest regularly.
Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

120 to 180 cm (47.2 to 70.9 in).

Width / spread

60 to 90 cm (23.6 to 35.4 in).

Flower color

Yellow.

Foliage color

Green.

Foliage type

Herbaceous annual.

Growth rate

Varies with warmth, light and growth stage.

Growth habit

Indeterminate; requires support.

Edible parts

Ripe fruit only; leaves and stems are not edible.

Bloom period

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters during the warm season. Tomatoes are mainly self-pollinating; flower vibration promotes pollen release. In the garden, bumblebees can participate in this process. Under shelter, ensure good ventilation and avoid excessive temperatures that can reduce the fruit set. Flowering and harvesting also depend on the light and condition of the plant.

Fruiting

Harvest fruit once it develops its mature colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Handle it carefully without pulling on the branch. Before the first frost, bring indoors any fruit that has begun to colour and let it finish ripening. Cool weather and limited sun can delay maturity.

Days to maturity

75 days after transplant.
Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Basil, parsley and low flowers such as marigolds can grow nearby when every plant receives enough light and space. Flowers can broaden the range of resources available to beneficial insects, but no companion planting guarantees pest control. Keep the base of the tomato accessible for watering, inspection and tying stems.

Plants to avoid

Avoid overcrowding and do not grow Solanaceae in the same location year after year. Potatoes and tomatoes can share certain diseases, so crop rotation, clean garden practices and good air circulation are more important than a universal list of enemy plants.

Garden use

For an orange tomato sauce, chop 800 g of ripe fruit and cook gently with one shallot and 15 ml of olive oil. Stir and reduce to the preferred texture, adding basil or thyme near the end. Serve with pasta or roasted vegetables. Refrigerate leftovers promptly or freeze in portions. Use mainly ripe orange fruit to preserve the sauce’s colour.

Wildlife and pets

Wildlife & precautions

Reported toxicity

Yes

Supporting wildlife

Flowers can be visited by bumblebees and other insects. The tomato pollinates widely itself and is not a major source of nectar. Various flowers around the vegetable garden extend the supply of resources for pollinators throughout the summer.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How many 'Marmalade Skies' F1 Tomato seeds are in the packet?
The Gaia packet contains 5 seeds. Store unused Marmalade Skies F1 tomato seed in its labelled packet in a cool, dry, dark place.
How long do 'Marmalade Skies' F1 Tomato seeds take to germinate?
Emergence generally takes 5 to 10 days at 23 to 29 °C (73.4 to 84.2 °F). Keep the growing medium evenly moist but never waterlogged, and provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge. The tomato seed germination time for 'Marmalade Skies' F1 Tomato should be judged against the verified range above rather than a fixed national calendar. When growing from seed, keep conditions stable for the full stated germination window before disturbing the mix.

Seed-starting essentials

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