Maglia Rosa is excellent for containers and small spaces

Fred Hempel · January 10, 2014

Maglia Rosa was the first variety we (Artisan Seeds) released nationally, and it has attracted a strong following.

Here it was "best of all" in a taste test.

Penn State's Ag Extension has it on their short-list for cherry/grape tomatoes, based on their taste tests.

And interestingly, it is a favorite in the lab at the University of Florida that is examining molecules associated with flavor.

Maglia Rosa is an extremely productive bush, under most circumstances, and a few years ago it was our farmers' market star.

Since then, we have been moving away from growing bush varieties. This is mainly because they are disease and insect pest magnets in our fields due to their dense foliage. Hence we have stopped growing Maglia Rosa, and now grow its sister variety, Pink Tiger, which is a vine.

However, Maglia Rosa is an excellent variety to grow in a container and in other small garden spaces. It produces abundantly, and early. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that peak flavor precedes peak color in this variety.

It is available directly from us, and also from a few other vendors.

Gerris2 · January 10, 2014

I really enjoyed the articles, and am excited to know about this variety. Thank you!

bitterwort · January 11, 2014

It is a nice variety, Fred. I have a neighbor who insists that I start a few plants for her every year since you made them available.

Fred Hempel · January 25, 2014

Maglia Rosa trounces the competition again.....

Doug9345 · January 25, 2014

Congratulations for a fine product. It has gone on my must grow list.

Fred Hempel · February 18, 2014

Doug,

Have you grown it before? I am getting such good feedback about it this winter, that I am reconsidering my opinion of the variety.

While it may not be the best variety for putting into a large field of tomatoes, it can be a great choice if you only plant small scale (less than 1.8 acre) and if you want a productive tomato that is early and tastes excellent.

Doug9345 · February 18, 2014

No I haven't Fred. I want to make some of my income from selling plants and produce. I'm in the search for varieties that that will give me in an unique niche to market in.

clara · February 19, 2014

I'm looking forward to try it this season for the first time! As I love Blush since I've grown it for the first time (it has become a standard in my garden) I'm very curious about its sister. clara

jamserg · March 2, 2014

I'm considering trying it but not sure if it's hybrid or not (basically can I save seeds or have to buy them again?). Thanks

Fred Hempel · March 2, 2014

Maglia Rosa is true-breeding. You can save seeds.

Iva · March 3, 2014

I'm also lucky enough to have gotten seeds this year and I can't wait to grow it! I also fell in love with Blush, so I can only imagine how good this one will taste. Mine will be grown in a pot. I hope to be able to get some pics here after a successful season

Fred Hempel · March 6, 2014

Just a reminder, Maglia Rosa flavor peaks prior to peak color. At least this is how most people seem to feel. Don't wait too long to pick it!

Irv Wiseguy · March 6, 2014

I grow mainly in Earthboxes so I'd like to try them next year. I see they're already sold out so they must be hot sellers. Do you expect to have seeds available again for 2015?

Irv

Fred Hempel · March 8, 2014

Irv,

We will have seed again for 2015.

Seeds of Change has MR available now.

ReginaAnn · April 29, 2014

What size containers are best?
Thanks

January 10, 2014	#1
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Maglia Rosa is excellent for containers and small spaces Maglia Rosa was the first variety we (Artisan Seeds) released nationally, and it has attracted a strong following. Here it was "best of all" in a taste test. Penn State's Ag Extension has it on their short-list for cherry/grape tomatoes, based on their taste tests. And interestingly, it is a favorite in the lab at the University of Florida that is examining molecules associated with flavor. Maglia Rosa is an extremely productive bush, under most circumstances, and a few years ago it was our farmers' market star. Since then, we have been moving away from growing bush varieties. This is mainly because they are disease and insect pest magnets in our fields due to their dense foliage. Hence we have stopped growing Maglia Rosa, and now grow its sister variety, Pink Tiger, which is a vine. However, Maglia Rosa is an excellent variety to grow in a container and in other small garden spaces. It produces abundantly, and early. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that peak flavor precedes peak color in this variety. It is available directly from us, and also from a few other vendors.

January 10, 2014	#2
Gerris2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Delaware USA Posts: 47	I really enjoyed the articles, and am excited to know about this variety. Thank you! __________________ To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

January 11, 2014	#3
bitterwort Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MN Zone4b Posts: 292	It is a nice variety, Fred. I have a neighbor who insists that I start a few plants for her every year since you made them available. __________________ Bitterwort

January 25, 2014	#4
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Maglia Rosa trounces the competition again.....

January 25, 2014	#5
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	Congratulations for a fine product. It has gone on my must grow list.

February 18, 2014	#6
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Doug, Have you grown it before? I am getting such good feedback about it this winter, that I am reconsidering my opinion of the variety. While it may not be the best variety for putting into a large field of tomatoes, it can be a great choice if you only plant small scale (less than 1.8 acre) and if you want a productive tomato that is early and tastes excellent.

February 19, 2014	#8
clara Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,351	I'm looking forward to try it this season for the first time! As I love Blush since I've grown it for the first time (it has become a standard in my garden) I'm very curious about its sister. clara

March 2, 2014	#9
jamserg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 105	I'm considering trying it but not sure if it's hybrid or not (basically can I save seeds or have to buy them again?). Thanks

March 3, 2014	#11
Iva Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Slovenia, EU Posts: 249	I'm also lucky enough to have gotten seeds this year and I can't wait to grow it! I also fell in love with Blush, so I can only imagine how good this one will taste. Mine will be grown in a pot. I hope to be able to get some pics here after a successful season

March 6, 2014	#12
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Just a reminder, Maglia Rosa flavor peaks prior to peak color. At least this is how most people seem to feel. Don't wait too long to pick it!

March 6, 2014	#13
Irv Wiseguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 281	I grow mainly in Earthboxes so I'd like to try them next year. I see they're already sold out so they must be hot sellers. Do you expect to have seeds available again for 2015? Irv

March 8, 2014	#14
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Irv, We will have seed again for 2015. Seeds of Change has MR available now.

April 29, 2014	#15
ReginaAnn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Northern CA Posts: 203	What size containers are best? Thanks