Opalka Tomato Seeds - Heirloom, Paste Tomato, Great for Sauce! **Opalka Tomato Seeds - Grow Your Own Delicious Sauce Tomatoes!** Imagine rich, flavorful tomato sauce simmering on your stove, made from tomatoes you grew yourself. With Opalka tomato seeds, this dream can become a reality! It's a paste tomato renowned for its exceptional flavor and suitability for sauce. **History:** The Opalka tomato is a treasured heirloom variety originating from Poland and has since become a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. Family heirloom from Poland, brought to Amsterdam, NY in the 1900s by the Opalka family. Carolyn Male got the seeds from her co-worker, Carl Swidorski, whose wife was from the Opalka family and introduced the seeds through the SSE Yearbook in the 1990s. **Days to Harvest:** 75-85 days (mid-season) **Fruit Color:** Deep red **Fruit Size:** 4-6 inches long, elongated, often slightly curved. **Fruit Weight:** 6-12 ounces **Fruit Taste/Flavor:** Sweet, rich, and intensely tomato-y with low acidity. Considered one of the best tasting paste tomatoes. **Uses for Fruit:** Primarily used for making tomato sauce, paste, and canning. Also excellent for roasting and adding to stews and soups. While they can be used in salads, their meaty texture and lower juice content make them ideal for cooking. **Plant Style:** Indeterminate (requires staking or support) **Plant Size:** 6-8 feet **How to Start from Seed:** 1. **Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost.** Sow seeds OE inch deep in seed starting mix. 2. **Maintain a temperature of 70-75F** for optimal germination. Use a heat mat if needed. 3. **Keep the soil consistently moist** but not waterlogged. 4. **Provide ample light.** Use grow lights or a sunny window. 5. **Harden off seedlings** by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week before transplanting. **Growing Tips:** * **Choose a sunny location** with well-drained soil. * **Provide support** for the indeterminate vines using stakes, cages, or trellises. * **Water regularly,** especially during dry spells. * **Fertilize with a balanced tomato fertilizer** according to package directions. * **Pinch off suckers** (the small shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to improve airflow and encourage fruit production. This is important with indeterminate varieties like Opalka. * **Harvest tomatoes when they are fully ripe** and deep red. **Why Choose Opalka Tomatoes?** * **Exceptional flavor:** The rich, sweet flavor makes them a standout choice for cooking. * **Perfect for sauce:** Their meaty texture and low seed count make them ideal for creating thick, flavorful sauces. * **Heirloom variety:** Enjoy the taste of tradition with this treasured heirloom. * **Prolific producer:** Produces a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. Order your tomato seeds today and start planning your next culinary masterpiece! =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s=s Free shipping to Canada- and USA Selected seeds only Add this item to your cart and keep shopping-- at https://www.ebay.ca/usr/okiger-2i55iwk =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s=s=s=s=s=s=s= ? Shipping of Seeds and Cuttings: Orders are shipped via Canada Post Mail unless otherwise specified. ? Some items are shipped without tracking to keep costs low. This is the most economical option. Canada Post is incredibly reliable, but can be slow. ? If you require tracking or a faster delivery please message before ordering. ? We try to ship any live plants on MONDAYS or TUESDAYS as a precautionary measure to avoid delays over the weekend and ensure the viability of live plant orders. Weather may be a contributing factor in the processing of our orders and will occasionally cause some delay. ? We will ship seeds anywhere in the world, however, please make sure you check with your country's customs office to be sure that they are allowed in. We will not be held responsible for orders held, confiscated and/or destroyed by customs. Please note this and make sure you understand before you buy it. ? If you have a question or if you are unclear about shipping policies please contact us. ? We welcome questions! Contact us before, after, or during any transaction and you will receive a reply ASAP. ? Thanks for visiting! Don't forget to bookmark us!