A fresh look at Tomato Napa Grape Hybrid

Sweet, healthy and bite-sized are a few reasons grape tomatoes are a popular veggie among today’s consumers. According to Ball Horticulture Co., this variety has a higher sugar content than any other grape tomato and ranks consistently as a top choice in taste tests. With fruits weighing one ounce, Tomato Napa Grape Hybrid grows between 40 and 48 inches tall and 40 to 48 inches in spread.

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Production:

• Keep soil temperature between 70°F and 75°F during germination.
• Media should be evenly moist but not saturated during germination. Seed needs covered with coarse vermiculite, and light is unnecessary until radicle emergence.
• Keep pH at 5.5-5.8 and EC at less than 0.5 mmhos/cm.
• Tomato is sensitive to high salts during germination, so keep ammonium levels at less than 10 ppm.
• Drop soil temperature to 68-72°F during stem and cotyledon emergence (stage two).
• Reduce moisture levels during radicle emergence. For best germination and rooting, allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering.
• Keep light levels at 1,000-1,500 foot-candles.
• Once cotyledons are fully expanded, fertilize with 50 75 ppm N from 14 0 14, 15-5-15 or a calcium/potassium nitrate feed. Alternate this with clear water and irrigate early in the day to allow foliage to dry by nighttime.
• Drop soil temperature to 60-65°F during growth and development of true leaves (stage three).
• Let soil dry thoroughly between irrigations during the third stage, but avoid permanent wilting.
• Light levels can increase to 1,000-2,500 foot-candles during stage three. Keep EC at less than 0.75 mmhos/cm, and fertilize every second or third irrigation.
• Control plant height by using DIF, especially after the first two hours of sunrise.
• Keep soil temperature at 60-62°F when plants are ready for transplanting or shipping (stage 4).
• During the fourth stage, fertilize at 100 150 ppm N with 14 0 14, 15-5-15 or other calcium/potassium nitrate feed as needed.
• When growing on to finish, keep temperature at 62-65°F at night and 65-70°F during the day.
• Light levels should be high when growing on to finish.
• Use well-drained, soilless media with a medium initial nutrient charge and pH of 5.5-6.2 when finishing. Maintain medium EC around 1.0 mmhos/cm.
• Fertilize every third irrigation, keeping the same requirements as during the fourth stage.

Did you know?
Control height by withholding fertilizer, particularly phosphorous and ammonium-form nitrogen.