How to Grow Redstreak Tomato

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Redstreak Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Redstreak'

vegetable

Redstreak is a striking indeterminate heirloom tomato variety known for its vibrant red fruits with distinctive golden-yellow streaks radiating from the stem. These medium-sized tomatoes (6-8 oz) combine excellent flavor with eye-catching appearance, making them popular for fresh eating and display. The plants are vigorous growers that produce fruit throughout the season.

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Example Redstreak Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Redstreak Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Redstreak Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Redstreak Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best flavor and productivity

💧

Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week; deep watering 2-3 times weekly is better than shallow frequent watering. Water at soil level to avoid foliar diseases. Reduce watering slightly once fruit sets to concentrate sugars.

📏

Spacing: 24-36 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: Start seeds 1/4 inch deep indoors; transplant deeply (bury stem up to first true leaves) when planting outside

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Balanced fertilizer (5-5-5) Calcium source (crushed eggshells or lime for blossom-end rot prevention)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in cooler zones with careful timing and protection

3a 3b 4a 4b 4c 5a 5b 5c 6a 6b 6c 7a 7b 7c 8a 8b 8c 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling (Indoors)

4-6 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves develop under grow lights or in a bright window. Cotyledons (seed leaves) appear first, followed by characteristic tomato foliage.

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of light daily. Maintain temperatures of 65-75°F. Thin or transplant to individual containers at true leaf stage.

Hardening & Transplanting

2-3 weeks

6-8 week old seedlings with 8-12 true leaves are gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions and transplanted into the garden with significant stem buried.

Begin hardening off 7-10 days before transplanting by exposing plants to outdoor conditions for increasing periods. Plant deeply to encourage stronger root systems. Transplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant grows tall and bushy, developing more leaves and branching. No flowers or fruit yet. Indeterminate varieties like Redstreak become quite vigorous.

Provide sturdy support or stake system early. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) on indeterminate varieties to direct energy. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.

Flowering & Fruit Set

2-3 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters along the plant. After pollination, tiny green fruits develop and begin their gradual size increase.

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; switch to higher phosphorus formula to encourage fruit set. Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot. Ensure adequate pollination through air movement or gentle shaking.

Ripening & Harvest

4-6 weeks per cluster

Fruits gradually change color from green to the characteristic red with golden-yellow streaks. Tomatoes reach full size (6-8 oz) and develop peak flavor when fully colored.

Continue consistent watering but avoid overwatering once fruit is ripening. Prune excessive foliage carefully to allow sunlight to reach fruit. Harvest ripe tomatoes regularly to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Carrot Parsley Borage Chives

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Potatoes Walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick daily; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; inspect underside of leaves
Yellow sticky traps; neem oil spray; reflective mulch; strong water spray to dislodge
Remove lower infected leaves; avoid wetting foliage; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; rotate crops yearly
Remove affected leaves immediately; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if severe
Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium amendment (lime or crushed eggshells); mulch to regulate moisture

Uses

🍳

Fresh Eating & Heirloom Salads

Culinary

Redstreak tomatoes are prized for fresh consumption with their complex flavor balance of sweetness and acidity. The striking striped appearance makes them visually stunning in salads, on platters, and as a centerpiece ingredient. [source]

🍳

Sauce & Preservation

Culinary

The balanced acidity and sugar content make Redstreak suitable for sauce-making, though yields are lower than paste varieties. Fruits can be preserved through canning, freezing, or drying. [source]

🏠

Culinary Display & Presentation

Household

The unique red-and-gold striped pattern makes these tomatoes an attractive addition to farmers market displays, kitchen counters, and gourmet presentations. The visual appeal enhances the perceived quality and value. [source]

🍳

Lycopene & Antioxidant Content

Culinary

Like all red tomatoes, Redstreak contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and carotenoid linked to various health benefits. The fully ripened fruit provides higher concentrations than underripe tomatoes. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting local ecosystems while improving fruit set and yield. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick tomatoes when fully colored (deep red with prominent golden streaks) and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Full ripeness on the vine provides best flavor. Fruit will not ripen significantly off the vine, so wait until color develops. In fall, harvest all remaining green tomatoes as frost approaches; they will ripen indoors at 68-72°F. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Redstreak is an heirloom variety that has been grown for generations, with seeds passed down through gardening communities. The exact origin is unclear, but the variety exemplifies the diversity of tomato genetics available before industrial agriculture.
🌱 The striped pattern on Redstreak tomatoes develops due to genetic variegation—a natural color breaking that was likely selected for by early gardeners who appreciated the ornamental appeal as much as the flavor.
🌱 Tomatoes are technically berries (botanically), and Redstreak's indeterminate growth habit means the plant can continue producing fruit until killed by frost, sometimes producing over 100 tomatoes per plant in a long growing season.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Hardening Off Heirloom pH Pollination Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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