How to Grow Fortuna Tomato
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Fortuna Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Fortuna'
vegetableFortuna is a determinate paste tomato variety bred for disease resistance and reliability, producing medium-sized, oblong fruits ideal for canning and sauce-making. Known for its strong resistance to late blight and other fungal diseases, this heirloom-style cultivar has been a gardener favorite since the mid-20th century. The plants are compact and prolific, making them excellent for home gardens and commercial production.
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Example Fortuna Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Fortuna Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Fortuna Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Fortuna Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; can be grown in zone 3 with protection and season extension
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; cotyledons (seed leaves) still visible or recently shed
Maintain consistent moisture; provide bright light 14-16 hours daily; keep temperature 65-75°F; thin seedlings to prevent damping-off disease
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingBushy plant developing true leaves and branching; no flowers yet; stems thickening and becoming woody
Harden off transplants 7-10 days before planting; plant deeply to encourage strong root system; provide support structure; pinch suckers on determinate varieties sparingly
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appearing in clusters (trusses); plant at full size with multiple branch development
Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop; fertilize with balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer; ensure good airflow to reduce disease; hand-pollinate in cool conditions if needed
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall green fruits forming and enlarging; plants heavy with developing tomatoes; leaves may yellow naturally as plant prioritizes fruit
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage; provide strong support as weight increases; continue consistent watering; prune excessive foliage for air circulation but avoid over-pruning
Harvest
Ongoing; 3-4 weeks of peak harvestFruits turning from green to deep red; firm but yielding slightly to pressure; vine-ripe or breaker stage reached
Pick when fully colored; can pick at breaker stage if disease pressure is high; continue harvesting until frost threat; fruits ripen faster as season progresses
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Choose Fortuna specifically for its resistance; remove infected foliage promptly; improve airflow; apply copper fungicide if needed; avoid wetting foliage when watering
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Remove lower leaves as plant grows; destroy infected leaves; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper or sulfur fungicide; thin foliage for airflow
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; plant dill or parsley to attract predatory wasps
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Use reflective mulches; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; use yellow sticky traps; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
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Increase humidity and airflow; spray leaves with water; use sulfur dust; apply neem oil in early morning or evening
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide preventively
Uses
Sauce and Canning
CulinaryFortuna's paste tomato characteristics and high solids content make it excellent for making tomato sauce, paste, and canned products. The concentrated flavor and low seed/moisture ratio compared to slicing tomatoes reduce cooking time and improve yield. [source]
Fresh Cooking
CulinaryWhile bred for processing, Fortuna tomatoes can be used fresh in salads, salsas, and cooked dishes. The firm flesh holds shape well when cooked, making them ideal for soups and stews. [source]
Lycopene Source
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been studied for potential cardiovascular and cancer-prevention benefits. Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdFortuna is an open-pollinated variety, allowing gardeners to save seeds for next season. Fermented seed separation is the traditional method for tomato seed preservation. [source]
Pollinator Garden Support
WildlifeFortuna's flowers attract bees and other pollinators. The plant supports beneficial insect populations while providing fruit for human harvest. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Fortuna tomatoes are determined (bush type), so most fruit ripens within a 2-3 week window, ideal for canning projects. Pick when fully red and slightly soft; can harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) if disease pressure is high or frost threatens. For best flavor, harvest fully vine-ripened. Twist gently or use pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Fortuna was developed in the 1950s in Germany specifically to resist late blight (Phytophthora infestans), the same pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine. Its disease resistance heritage makes it one of the most reliable heirloom-style paste tomatoes for organic growers.
- 🌱 As a determinate (bush) variety, Fortuna concentrates its entire harvest into 2-3 weeks, making it the preferred choice for canning enthusiasts and large-scale sauce makers who want to process everything at once rather than over an extended season.
- 🌱 The name 'Fortuna' references the Roman goddess of fortune and luck, fitting for a variety bred to succeed reliably in challenging conditions where fungal diseases plague other tomato varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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