Tomato Seeds – Stupice

Description

25 Seeds per pack

Stupice Tomato (A.K.A. Stupické Polní Rané Tomato)

Days to Maturity: 55–65 Days
Fruit Size: 2–2½″ Across, 2–4 Ounces
Growth Habit: Indeterminate
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Botanical Name: (Solanum lycopersicum)

Stupice Tomato is an heirloom variety from the Czech Republic that has earned a loyal following among gardeners who want one of the earliest full-sized slicing tomatoes of the season. Developed during the 1950s at a breeding station near the village of Stupice, just east of Prague, it was introduced to North American gardeners in the late 1970s. Many gardeners choose Stupice Tomato over other early tomatoes because it combines exceptional earliness with rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor instead of sacrificing taste for speed. It also performs especially well in cooler climates and continues producing long after many early varieties have slowed down.

The smooth, round to slightly oval fruits typically measure about 2 to 2½ inches across and weigh between 2 and 4 ounces. They ripen to a bright, deep red and have juicy flesh with a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity. While smaller than large beefsteak varieties, the fruits are generously sized for slicing and are produced in impressive clusters throughout the season. Their attractive appearance and dependable quality make them equally suited for the garden, farmers markets, or the kitchen.

Stupice Tomato grows on vigorous indeterminate vines that commonly reach 4 to 6 feet tall and continue setting fruit until frost. The distinctive potato-leaf foliage helps set this heirloom apart from many other tomato varieties. Plants are known for producing heavily even during cool summers and are often among the first tomatoes to ripen each year, making them an excellent choice for northern gardens or areas with shorter growing seasons. Staking or caging is recommended to support the continuous production.

The flavor is well balanced, rich, and pleasantly sweet with enough acidity to provide a classic tomato taste. Unlike many extra-early varieties that can be somewhat bland, Stupice Tomato delivers excellent flavor from the first harvest onward. Enjoy it sliced for sandwiches, chopped into salads, added to fresh salsa, roasted, or cooked into soups and sauces. Its dependable flavor makes it a versatile tomato for nearly any fresh or cooked recipe.

Although Stupice Tomato is best enjoyed fresh from the vine, the fruits will hold well for several days after harvest when kept at room temperature. Frequent picking encourages continued production, and the plants will reward gardeners with a steady harvest over a long season rather than a single flush of fruit.

Rich in vitamins A and C, Stupice Tomato remains one of the finest heirloom choices for gardeners seeking an early harvest, dependable yields, excellent cool-weather performance, and outstanding old-fashioned tomato flavor.

Disease Resistance: Tolerant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus.

Planting, Growing, Harvesting, and Seed Saving Instructions for Stupice Tomato

When to Plant: Stupice Tomato is an early-maturing heirloom tomato that performs well in a wide range of climates, especially where summers are short or cool. Start Stupice Tomato seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your average last spring frost. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C). Harden seedlings off over 7 to 10 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. In warm climates with long growing seasons, a second planting may be made in midsummer for a fall harvest.

Where to Plant: Plant Stupice Tomato in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day, though 8 or more hours will produce the best yields. Tomatoes grow best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. Mix compost or well-rotted organic matter into the soil before planting. Raised beds warm quickly in spring and provide excellent drainage, while containers should hold at least 10 to 15 gallons of quality potting mix and have good drainage holes. Avoid planting tomatoes where peppers, potatoes, or eggplants were grown the previous year to help reduce disease problems.

How to Sow: Sow Stupice Tomato seeds about ¼ inch deep in a fine seed-starting mix. Keep the soil between 70°F and 80°F for the fastest germination, which usually occurs within 5 to 10 days. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright light for 14 to 16 hours each day to prevent weak, leggy growth. Transplant into larger pots when the first true leaves develop if needed before outdoor planting. Set plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Plant deeply, burying most of the stem so additional roots form along the buried portion, creating a stronger, more vigorous plant.

Watering: Keep Stupice Tomato evenly watered throughout the growing season. Tomatoes generally need about 1 to 2 inches of water each week, though sandy soils and hot weather may require more frequent watering. Water deeply at the base of the plants rather than sprinkling the foliage to reduce disease. Avoid allowing the soil to repeatedly dry out and then become saturated, as uneven moisture can contribute to fruit cracking and blossom end rot.

Fertilization: Work compost or well-rotted manure into the planting area before transplanting. Once Stupice Tomato plants begin flowering, apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer or one slightly lower in nitrogen every 3 to 4 weeks according to label directions. Excess nitrogen encourages lush leaves at the expense of fruit production, so avoid overfeeding. Side-dressing with compost during the growing season also helps maintain steady growth.

Mulching: After the soil has warmed, apply 2 to 3 inches of clean straw, shredded leaves, untreated grass clippings, or other organic mulch around the plants. Keep mulch a few inches away from the stem. Mulch helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, reduce soil splashing onto the leaves, and maintain more even soil temperatures.

Training & Pruning: Although Stupice Tomato is an indeterminate variety, it remains relatively compact compared to many other indeterminate tomatoes. Even so, it benefits from staking, caging, or trellising to keep fruit off the ground and improve air circulation. Remove the lowest leaves once the plants are established to reduce soil-borne diseases. Pruning is optional. Removing some suckers may produce slightly larger fruit and improve airflow, while leaving most suckers in place generally increases the total harvest.

Pollination: Stupice Tomato flowers are self-pollinating, with each flower containing both male and female parts. Wind and the vibration of bees help release pollen within the flowers, improving fruit set. Tomatoes usually cross only at a low rate, but if saving pure heirloom seed, separate different tomato varieties by about 10 to 25 feet when practical, or bag blossoms before they open and hand-pollinate them.

Common Pests & Diseases: Common insect pests include aphids, tomato hornworms, flea beetles, cutworms, whiteflies, stink bugs, and spider mites. Hand-pick larger pests when possible and encourage beneficial insects in the garden. Diseases may include early blight, late blight, Septoria leaf spot, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, bacterial speck, bacterial spot, and blossom end rot. Good spacing, crop rotation, mulching, watering at the soil level, and removing diseased foliage help prevent many common problems.

Harvesting: Stupice Tomato is one of the earliest heirloom tomatoes to mature, often producing ripe fruit about 55 to 65 days after transplanting. Harvest the fruits when they are fully red and slightly soft to the touch but still firm enough to handle. Pick regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. Tomatoes harvested just before full ripeness will finish coloring indoors if needed.

Storage: Fully ripe Stupice Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature and used within several days for the finest flavor. Refrigeration is not recommended unless the fruit is fully ripe and cannot be used promptly, as cold temperatures reduce flavor and texture. Extra tomatoes may be canned, frozen, dried, or made into sauces and salsa for longer storage.

Seed Saving: Stupice Tomato is an heirloom variety, making it an excellent choice for saving seed. Select healthy, vigorous plants that produce true-to-type fruit. Allow several tomatoes to become fully ripe, or even slightly overripe, on the vine before harvesting. Cut the tomatoes open and squeeze the seeds and surrounding gel into a clean container. Add a small amount of water and allow the mixture to ferment for 2 to 4 days at room temperature, stirring once each day. Fermentation removes the natural gel coating that inhibits germination and helps reduce certain seed-borne diseases.

Once fermentation is complete, add more water and pour off the floating pulp and poor-quality seeds. Repeat until only clean, heavy seeds remain. Spread the seeds onto a ceramic plate, coffee filter, or fine screen to dry completely for one to two weeks in a warm, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Stir the seeds occasionally during drying so they do not stick together.

After the seeds are thoroughly dry, store them in a cool, dark, dry location. Our Seed Saving Envelopes are an excellent way to organize your heirloom Stupice Tomato seeds. Label each envelope with the variety name, harvest year, and any notes about the parent plants so your seeds stay well organized and ready for future gardens. Properly stored tomato seed commonly remains viable for 4 to 10 years.

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