Floradade Tomato: Complete Growing Guide & Characteristics

Floradade tomato is a disease-resistant, determinate variety developed by the University of Florida, producing medium-sized (6-8 oz), round, red fruits ideal for fresh eating and canning, with excellent resistance to Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2. This reliable cultivar thrives in warm climates, yields consistently from early summer through fall, and requires minimal staking due to its compact growth habit.

Discover why home gardeners across the southern United States have relied on Floradade tomatoes for over 60 years. This comprehensive guide delivers actionable growing tips, science-backed disease resistance information, and practical harvesting techniques specifically for this time-tested variety. Whether you're a beginner gardener or experienced grower, you'll learn exactly how to maximize your Floradade tomato yield while avoiding common cultivation mistakes.

What Makes Floradade Tomato Unique

Developed by University of Florida researchers in the 1950s, Floradade represents one of the first successful disease-resistant tomato varieties specifically bred for southern growing conditions. Unlike many heirloom varieties, Floradade maintains consistent production even in high-heat environments where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F (32°C).

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) documented Floradade's development as part of their mission to create crops suitable for Florida's unique climate challenges. According to their historical variety trials, Floradade demonstrated superior performance in sandy soils with high nematode pressure—conditions that typically devastate standard tomato varieties.

Growing Requirements for Optimal Results

Floradade tomatoes thrive with these specific growing conditions:

• Sunlight: Minimum 6-8 hours of direct sun daily
• Soil: Well-draining sandy loam with pH between 6.2-6.8
• Watering: 1-1.5 inches weekly, consistent moisture without saturation
• Spacing: 24-36 inches between plants, 4 feet between rows
• Fertilization: Balanced 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 formula applied at planting and first flowering

Unlike indeterminate varieties that grow continuously, Floradade's determinate growth habit means the plant reaches a predetermined size (typically 3-4 feet tall) and produces one main crop over a 3-4 week period. This characteristic makes it ideal for gardeners seeking a concentrated harvest for canning or sauce making.

Disease Resistance Profile: Science-Backed Protection

Floradade's most valuable trait is its documented disease resistance, particularly against soil-borne pathogens common in warm climates. The USDA Agricultural Research Service confirms Floradade's resistance to:

Disease	Resistance Level	Scientific Verification
Fusarium Wilt (Race 1)	High	Confirmed by UF/IFAS field trials (1958)
Fusarium Wilt (Race 2)	Moderate	Documented in USDA tomato variety database
Verticillium Wilt	Low	Observed in multi-state extension trials
Nematodes	Moderate	Validated by Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 396

This resistance profile makes Floradade particularly valuable in regions where crop rotation is limited. However, it's important to note that no tomato variety offers complete disease immunity. Proper cultural practices remain essential for long-term success.

Planting Timeline for Maximum Yield

Timing your Floradade planting correctly significantly impacts your harvest. The variety performs best when soil temperatures consistently reach 65°F (18°C) at planting depth. Consider these regional planting windows:

Region	Start Indoors	Transplant Outdoors	First Harvest
Deep South (USDA Zones 8-10)	February-March	March-April	June
Mid-South (USDA Zones 7-8)	March	April	July
Transition Zones (USDA 6-7)	April	May	July-August
Cooler Climates (USDA 4-6)	Not recommended	Limited success	Short season

Floradade requires approximately 75-80 days from transplant to first harvest. In southern regions, many gardeners achieve two crops per season by planting in early spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest.

Common Challenges and Solutions

While Floradade offers solid disease resistance, gardeners may encounter these issues:

Blossom End Rot

This calcium deficiency appears as dark, sunken spots on fruit bottoms. Prevent it by maintaining consistent soil moisture and applying calcium-rich amendments like gypsum at planting. The University of Georgia Extension recommends mulching with pine straw to regulate soil moisture fluctuations that contribute to this problem.

Cracking

Sudden rainfall after dry periods causes fruit cracking. Mitigate this by harvesting nearly ripe tomatoes before heavy rains and maintaining consistent watering practices. Floradade's thicker skin compared to many heirlooms makes it less prone to cracking than varieties like Celebrity.

Yellowing Leaves

Lower leaf yellowing often indicates nitrogen deficiency. Address this with a balanced fertilizer application when first flowering appears. Avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes foliage over fruit production.

Harvesting and Culinary Applications

Floradade tomatoes reach peak flavor when harvested at the "breaker stage"—when fruits show 10-30% color change from green to pink. Complete ripening occurs off the vine with excellent flavor retention.

These medium-sized tomatoes (6-8 ounces each) feature firm flesh with balanced acidity and sugar content, making them versatile for:

• Fresh slicing for sandwiches and salads
• Canning whole or as crushed tomatoes
• Sauce making (lower water content than many varieties)
• Roasting for concentrated flavor

Unlike some commercial varieties bred for shipping durability, Floradade maintains excellent flavor characteristics even after storage. Home gardeners consistently rate its taste as superior to modern hybrid varieties like Mountain Spring, though slightly less complex than heirloom types.

Floradade vs. Comparable Varieties

Understanding how Floradade compares to similar varieties helps determine if it's right for your garden:

Characteristic	Floradade	Better Boy	Celebrity	Roma
Growth Habit	Determinate	Indeterminate	Determinate	Determinate
Days to Harvest	75-80	70-75	70	75
Fruit Size	Medium (6-8 oz)	Large (10-12 oz)	Medium (7-8 oz)	Plum (2-4 oz)
Fusarium Resistance	Races 1-2	Races 1-2	Races 1-3	Race 1
Best For	All-purpose	Fresh eating	Container gardening	Sauces

While Better Boy produces larger fruits, Floradade's compact growth habit makes it better suited for small-space gardening. Compared to Celebrity, Floradade offers slightly better heat tolerance but less disease resistance breadth.

Practical Growing Tips from Seasoned Gardeners

Implement these proven techniques to maximize your Floradade tomato success:

• Staking method: Use Florida weave technique for determinate varieties rather than single stakes
• Pruning: Remove only diseased or damaged foliage; excessive pruning reduces yield on determinate types
• Mulching: Apply 3-4 inches of pine straw to maintain soil moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases
• Watering: Water at soil level in morning to reduce fungal issues
• Succession planting: Plant new seedlings every 3 weeks for continuous harvest in long-season areas

Many experienced gardeners report that Floradade performs best when planted in raised beds with amended soil. The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension notes that raised beds improve drainage—a critical factor for preventing root diseases in heavy summer rains.

When Floradade Might Not Be Your Best Choice

Despite its advantages, Floradade has specific limitations to consider:

• Cooler climates: Performs poorly in regions with short growing seasons (USDA Zones 4-6)
• Container gardening: Better suited to ground planting than pots due to root system requirements
• Extended harvest needs: Determinate habit means concentrated harvest rather than continuous production
• Specialty uses: Not ideal for cherry tomato applications or extremely large slicing tomatoes

Gardeners in northern regions often achieve better results with varieties specifically bred for shorter seasons, such as Glacier or Sub-Arctic Plenty. Those seeking continuous harvest throughout the season might prefer indeterminate varieties like Better Boy or Big Beef.

How long does it take for Floradade tomatoes to mature?

Floradade tomatoes typically require 75-80 days from transplant to first harvest. In southern climates with extended growing seasons, gardeners often achieve two crops per year by planting in early spring and again in late summer.

Does Floradade tomato need staking?

While Floradade's determinate growth habit makes it more compact than indeterminate varieties, staking or caging is still recommended. The Florida weave technique works particularly well for this variety, supporting the plants while allowing good air circulation to prevent disease.

Is Floradade resistant to tomato blight?

Floradade has moderate resistance to early blight but limited resistance to late blight. Its strongest disease resistance is against Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2. In areas prone to blight, preventative measures like proper spacing, morning watering, and copper-based fungicides provide additional protection.

Can Floradade tomatoes be grown in containers?

While possible, Floradade isn't ideal for container growing due to its determinate but substantial growth habit. If growing in containers, use pots of at least 15-20 gallons with excellent drainage. Determinate varieties like Patio Princess or Tiny Tim generally perform better in confined spaces.

Why are my Floradade tomatoes cracking?

Cracking typically occurs due to uneven watering or sudden rainfall after dry periods. Maintain consistent soil moisture, harvest nearly ripe tomatoes before heavy rains, and ensure proper calcium levels in the soil. Floradade's thicker skin makes it less prone to cracking than many varieties, but environmental factors can still cause this issue.