How Long Is the Tomato Growing Cycle? A Detailed Guide from Sowing to Harvest

The tomato growing cycle is 110-170 days. Germination stage: generally 7-9 days; at suitable temperatures seedlings generally need about 50 days, in cold seasons 60-80 days, and in hot seasons about 40 days; flowering and fruit-setting stage: this period takes 15-30 days, with early-maturing or high-temperature cultivation taking less time, and the reverse taking longer; after the tomato flowers are pollinated, the fruit begins to swell after 3-4 days, swelling fastest from 7-20 days, reaching its maximum size after 30 days, and beginning to color after 40-50 days, reaching maturity.

The period from seed sowing and sprouting to the ripening of the seeds of the first truss is the growth and development cycle. It is divided into 4 stages: germination stage, seedling stage, flowering and fruit-setting stage, and fruiting stage.

1. Germination stage

From seed sprouting to the emergence of the first true leaf from between the two cotyledons is the germination stage, generally 7-9 days.

2. Seedling stage

From the emergence of the first true leaf to the appearance of large flower buds is the seedling stage. At suitable temperatures seedlings generally need about 50 days, in cold seasons 60—80 days, and in hot seasons about 40 days.

3. Flowering and fruit-setting stage

This period takes 15---30 days, with early-maturing or high-temperature cultivation taking less time, and the reverse taking longer.

4. Fruiting stage

After the tomato flowers are pollinated, the fruit begins to swell after 3-4 days, swelling fastest from 7-20 days, reaching its maximum size after 30 days, and beginning to color after 40-50 days, reaching maturity.