The Piccadilly tomato, also known as the Vesuvian tomato, is a small-sized variety that develops in clusters of about 20 fruits each. Each tomato weighs around 30-50 grams and is a concentrate of goodness!
A sweet, savory, and intense flavor, a vibrant red color, a firm pulp, and a very tender skin.
These are the characteristics that distinguish the Piccadilly tomato and make it perfect for preparing creamy sauces and for enhancing delicious raw salads.
The Vesuvian tomato is also famous for its excellent shelf life.
An intact cluster or a single fruit of Piccadilly can be easily stored in a dry place for up to 6 weeks, without any changes in taste or texture.
But how do you cultivate a Piccadilly tomato plant? When and how should you plant it? How do you take care of the plant, and how do you deal with any diseases and pathogens?
Continue reading this guide to discover how to start your production of sweet Piccadilly tomatoes.
- Soil and Climate for Cultivating Piccadilly Tomatoes
- When to Plant or Transplant Piccadilly Tomatoes and How to Do It
- How to Water the Vesuvian Tomato
- Treatments and Possible Diseases of the Piccadilly Tomato Plant
Soil and Climate for Cultivating Piccadilly Tomatoes
The most suitable soil for cultivating Piccadilly tomatoes is a fresh and fertile medium-textured soil, with a clay content ranging from 8% to 25% of the total soil composition.
This type of composition allows for a good balance between drainage and water retention, optimal for properly nourishing the roots of the tomato plant.
The soil should be located in a well-sunny position and sheltered from direct winds.
Ideal Climate and Temperature
The Piccadilly tomato grows best in a mild climate, specifically at a temperature between 20°C and 24°C.
While it's true that slight temperature variations do not hinder the cultivation of the plant, care should be taken during the winter period.
Temperatures below zero can indeed lead to the death of the plant.
Between 9°C and 13°C, the fruit set occurs, which is the actual development of the fruit following flowering.
The fruit set of the Piccadilly tomato is also possible between 22°C and 24°C, while exceeding 32°C can cause pollen to lose vitality and hinder the plant's productivity.
When to Plant or Transplant Piccadilly Tomatoes and How to Do It
The Piccadilly tomato can be cultivated both in the field and in a greenhouse.
In both cases, the most suitable climate for placing a plant is temperate tending towards warm.
If you want to plant (or transplant) a Piccadilly plant in open ground, the optimal period will be from March to July.
Specifically, from late March to mid-April, it will be advisable to shield the crop with a protective cover, which can be removed after April 15.
If you need or prefer to place a plant in a greenhouse, you should do so between September and February and take into account its internal climate.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting
To plant a Piccadilly tomato plant, you will need to prepare fresh, fertile, and deep soil.
About 15 days before planting or transplanting, incorporate plenty of organic material and a bit of specific fertilizer for tomato cultivation containing nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
If you cannot perform this operation in advance, you can proceed at the time of planting.
How to Plant and Fertilize the Piccadilly Tomato
The depth of the soil is particularly important, as the tomato needs to be planted deeper than other crops.
To properly plant a seedling, you must ensure that more than half of the stem is buried if it is already well-developed.
Regardless of the growth stage of the plant, it should be planted in a hole and rich, quality soil should be added all around the roots.
Each seedling should be planted 35 cm apart in the row, and 70 cm between rows.
Once the plant is planted and if the stem reaches about 30 cm in height, create and place wooden or bamboo supports.
Important: if the plant is still very small, wait until it reaches the indicated height before proceeding with this operation.
The supports will prevent the plant from breaking due to environmental trauma, weather conditions, or simply the weight of its own fruits.
This will allow all the tomatoes to ripen well without getting damaged and rotting by touching the ground.
In the market, you can also find synthetic (plastic) supports, but natural wood, canes, or bamboo are perfect for the job and completely eco-sustainable.
An important feature for the environment, but also for your harvest, especially if you want to grow an organic garden.
Pinching and Fertilizing Piccadilly Tomatoes
Pinching is an operation to be performed between late July and early August, to promote the ripening of the fruits.
It is important to perform it also to prevent the plant from growing excessively in height and to help it strengthen.
Fertilize every three to four weeks, until the plant appears well-developed.
We also recommend using potassium supplements from swelling to full ripening.
How to Water the Vesuvian Tomato
At the time of planting, it is necessary to water the newly planted plant abundantly.
Afterwards, the soil should always be kept moist but never too wet.
The risk of water stagnation must be strictly avoided, and at the same time, care should be taken not to let the soil dry out too much, as this could lead to cracks, which are dangerous because they disperse water into the soil.
To avoid the formation of these cracks, the soil can be worked superficially and gently, to not disturb the humus.
As mentioned earlier, the preferred temperatures for the Vesuvian tomato plant do not exceed 24°C, so remember to water more during the summer to avoid soil dehydration.
Only once there are numerous ripe tomatoes can the frequency and amount of watering be reduced.
Treatments and Possible Diseases of the Piccadilly Tomato Plant
To keep the plant healthy, you can treat it frequently with Bordeaux mixture.
The Piccadilly tomato plant is subject, like all garden plants, to some issues, diseases, and physiopathies mainly due to environmental conditions, insects, viruses and bacteria, fungi, and molds.
These diseases can cause a reduction in the plant's productivity and damage the fruit itself, the stem, the roots, and the leaves.
Always check your plants regularly to catch any suspicious changes immediately and act promptly.
For example, the tomatoes may scorch if exposed to excessive sunlight, or suffer and rot due to frost or drought.
If overwatered, or if there has just been a period of heavy rainfall, excess water could lead to fruit splitting.
If specific health problems arise due to external organisms, it will be necessary to identify the specific case to intervene with the right products.
For a productive and healthy garden and a healthy harvest, it is always advisable to use organic remedies, which are very effective in combating insects, pests, fungi, and molds.
Grow Delicious Tomatoes with the Help of Millstore Experts
Expertly cultivating a Piccadilly tomato plant will be much easier if you rely on the advice of a team of experts.
Contact the horticulture professionals at Millstore to discover all the secrets of tomato cultivation, if you have questions about planting, plant care methods, or if you struggle to recognize any diseases or select the right product to remedy the situation.
Millstore is at your complete disposal for curiosities, or to help you choose the best products to use and the most suitable tools for you, your garden, and your crops.