Tomato Canestrino Seeds - Italian Ribbed Tomato | WINTER / SUMMER

Canestrino di Lucca (Solanum lycopersicum) is a traditional Italian heirloom tomato originating from Lucca, Tuscany. It produces distinctive basket-shaped, ribbed red fruits with firm, flavourful flesh.

Grow in fertile, well-draining soil with 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. This vigorous indeterminate variety requires strong staking or trellis support, consistent watering and balanced feeding. Protect flowering plants from extreme heat and winter frost.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum

• Common Name: Canestrino / Italian Ribbed Tomato

• Variety: Canestrino di Lucca

• Origin: Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

• Type: Traditional heirloom tomato

• Fruits: Red, pear-to-basket-shaped with pronounced ribbing

• Fruit Weight: Commonly around 200–300 g, with variation

• Flesh: Dense, meaty, relatively low in moisture

• Flavour: Rich, sweet and relatively low in acidity

• Growth Habit: Indeterminate, vigorous

• Plant Height: Approximately 150–250 cm with support

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Special Features: Open-pollinated, distinctive ribbed fruits and excellent sauce-making quality

Recommended Grow Bags

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch – 1 plant, with attentive watering and feeding.

G-24 F Grow Bag – 24 × 18 inch – 1 plant, recommended for prolonged fruit production.

G-28 F Grow Bag – 28 × 18 inch – 1 plant, providing generous root space.

Install a sturdy stake, tomato cage or trellis to support the vigorous vines and heavy fruit clusters.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat

Use fertile, loose and well-draining soil.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Nursery or seed tray sowing preferred

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 5–6 mm

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Ideal Temperature: 22–28°C

• Plant Spacing: Approximately 60–90 cm

• Transplanting: At 4–6 true leaves

• Support: Strong staking or trellis required

Start seeds in a warm, lightly moist seed-starting medium. Transplant carefully and avoid disturbing the roots.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours daily. Provide afternoon shade during extreme summer heat.

Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development. Water near the plant base and avoid waterlogging.

Growth & Harvesting

• First Harvest: Approximately 75–90 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions

• Harvesting Season: Winter, spring and early summer

• Fruit Colour: Red at full maturity

• Fruit Shape: Ribbed, pear-shaped to basket-shaped

• Growth Habit: Indeterminate, requiring continued support

Harvest when fruits are fully coloured and suitably firm. Use clean pruning shears to prevent damage to fruit-bearing stems.

Feeding

Mix GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost into the soil before transplanting.

Apply additional vermicompost as needed during fruit development. Maintain balanced potassium and calcium nutrition and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.

Plant Support & Pruning

Train plants vertically using a strong trellis or tomato cage.

Remove lower leaves that touch the soil and prune selectively to maintain airflow.

Avoid excessive pruning, particularly during hot weather, to protect developing fruits from sunscald.

Pest & Disease Management

Monitor for whiteflies, aphids, fruit borers, early blight and other common tomato diseases.

Maintain good airflow, consistent watering and proper plant spacing. Remove severely affected foliage and follow suitable integrated pest management practices.

Culinary Uses

Canestrino di Lucca is particularly valued for:

• Authentic Italian tomato sauces

• Thick tomato paste

• Pasta and pizza sauces

• Roasted tomatoes

• Fresh salads

• Bruschetta

• Homemade passata

• Cooked tomato dishes

Its dense, meaty flesh and rich flavour make it especially suitable for preparing thick, flavourful sauces.

Seed Saving

Canestrino di Lucca is a traditional open-pollinated heirloom variety.

Seeds may be collected from fully ripe, healthy fruits. Maintain varietal purity by avoiding unintended cross-pollination with other tomato varieties.

Related Products

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• GREEN GARDENS Vegetable Seeds

• Growing Guide Videos – Gardening with Javed Iqbal