How to Grow Rote Flamme
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Rote Flamme
Solanum lycopersicum 'Rote Flamme'
vegetableRote Flamme is a German heirloom tomato variety known for its striking red color and rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized fruits with a slightly flattened shape and exceptional taste, making it popular among home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts.
When should you plant Rote Flamme in your zone?
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Example Rote Flamme timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Rote Flamme
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 Rote Flamme
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rote Flamme dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9; can be grown in cooler zones with season extension
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny green cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days. First true leaves appear shortly after.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (14-16 hours) under grow lights to prevent leggy growth. Maintain 70-75°F for optimal germination.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks (indoors and early outdoors)Young transplant develops 2-3 sets of true leaves and a sturdy stem. Plant grows 6-12 inches tall before flowering.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Begin staking or caging early. Water consistently. Apply diluted fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Flowering
Continuous throughout seasonYellow flowers appear in clusters at leaf axils. First flowers typically develop 6-8 weeks after transplanting.
Ensure adequate calcium intake. Support heavily with stakes or cages as plant grows. Prune lower leaves once flowering begins to improve air circulation. Consistent watering is critical during this stage.
Fruiting
6-8 weeks per fruit cycleSmall green tomatoes form behind flowers. Fruits gradually enlarge and turn from light green to the characteristic deep red color over 20-30 days.
Reduce nitrogen to encourage ripening; switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer. Maintain consistent watering to prevent splitting. Allow fruits to fully color on vine for best flavor. Remove excessive foliage only if fruits are sun-scalded.
Harvest
Ongoing until frostMature fruits display deep red coloring. Fruits feel slightly yielding to gentle squeeze.
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft; can ripen off vine if necessary. Continue harvesting throughout season to encourage more production. Before first frost, pick remaining mature-green fruits to ripen indoors.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; spray neem oil or spinosad for severe infestations
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide preventatively
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Remove affected foliage immediately; spray copper or chlorothalonil fungicides; ensure good air flow; avoid overhead watering
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Spray water to dislodge; use neem oil or sulfur; maintain adequate humidity; encourage predatory mites
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryRote Flamme's complex, balanced flavor with subtle sweetness and acidity makes it exceptional for fresh consumption, salads, and slicing. The firm texture resists excessive moisture despite the succulent interior. [source]
Sauce and paste production
CulinaryThe rich flavor and excellent sugar content make this heirloom ideal for homemade tomato sauce, paste, and concentrated preparations that deepen in flavor. [source]
Antioxidant-rich nutrition
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Rote Flamme provides lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Heirloom varieties often contain higher levels of beneficial compounds than commercial cultivars. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, Rote Flamme seeds can be saved and replanted reliably, making it economical for long-term gardening. [source]
Canning and preservation
CraftThe acid content and flavor profile make Rote Flamme suitable for canning, fermentation, and long-term storage projects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest Rote Flamme when fully red and slightly soft to the touch (typically 70-80 days from transplant). Pick in the morning for best flavor. Can ripen off the vine in a cool, dark location if harvested at the breaker stage. Indeterminate variety produces continuously until frost, so harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Rote Flamme is a German heirloom that translates to 'Red Flame,' reflecting its brilliant crimson color and passionate flavor profile among European tomato enthusiasts.
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, Rote Flamme continues producing fruit until frost kills the plant, unlike determinate types that produce one main crop.
- 🌱 Heirloom tomatoes like Rote Flamme were nearly extinct commercially in the late 20th century but have experienced a dramatic renaissance due to seed-saving movements and farmer's markets.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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