The Piccadilly tomato, also known as the Vesuvian tomato, is a small tomato variety that grows in bunches of around 20 fruits each. Each cherry tomato weighs about 30-50 grams, and is a concentration of goodness!
A sweet, savoury and intense flavour, a bright red colour, firm pulp and very tender skin.
These are the characteristics that distinguish the Piccadilly tomato and make it perfect for preparing creamy sauces and for enriching tasty raw salads.
The Vesuvian tomato is also famous for its ability to be preserved.
An entire bunch or a single Piccadilly fruit can be stored extremely easily in a dry place for up to 6 weeks , without any alterations to the palate or to its taste or consistency.
But how do you grow a Piccadilly tomato plant? When and how to plant it? How to take care of the plant, and how to deal with any diseases and pathogens?
Read on to find out how to get started with your own production of delicious Piccadilly cherry tomatoes.
- Soil and climate for growing Piccadilly tomatoes
- When to Plant or Transplant Piccadilly Tomato and How to Do It
- How to water the Vesuvius tomato
- Treatments and possible diseases of the Piccadilly tomato plant
Soil and climate for growing Piccadilly tomatoes
The most suitable soil for growing Piccadilly tomatoes is a fresh and fertile medium-textured soil , that is, with a clay content ranging from 8 to 25% of the total composition of the soil.
This type of composition allows for a good balance between drainage and water retention, optimal for properly feeding the roots of the tomato plant .
The land must be located in a 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 is true that slight variations in temperature do not prevent the cultivation of the plant, attention must be paid to the winter period.
Temperatures below zero can in fact lead to the death of the plant.
Fruit setting , or the development of the actual fruit following flowering, occurs between 9°C and 13°C .
Fruit set of Piccadilly tomatoes is also possible between 22°C and 24°C, while if temperatures exceed 32°C the pollen loses vitality and risks hindering the productivity of the plant.
When to Plant or Transplant Piccadilly Tomato and How to Do It
The Piccadilly tomato can be grown both in the field and in the 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 the 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 sheet , which can be removed after April 15th.
If you need or prefer to place a plant in a greenhouse , you will have to do so between September and February and it will be necessary to take into account its internal climate.
How to prepare the ground 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, bury plenty of organic material and a little specific fertilizer for growing tomatoes containing nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
If you are unable to do this in advance, you can do it when you plant.
How to Plant and Fertilize the Piccadilly Tomato Plant
The depth of the soil is particularly important, since tomatoes require to be placed deeper than other crops.
To properly plant a seedling you will in fact have to make sure to bury more than half of the stem if it is already well developed.
Whatever the growth stage of the plant, however, it should be buried in a hole and rich, quality soil added to the entire area surrounding the roots.
Each seedling should be planted 35 cm apart in the row, and 70 cm between rows.
Once the plant has been planted and if the stem is already about 30 cm tall, create and position some wooden or cane 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 trauma caused by the environment, weather conditions or even simply the weight of its own fruits.
This will allow all the cherry tomatoes to ripen well and without spoiling and rotting when they touch the ground.
On the market you can also find supports made of synthetic material (plastic), but natural wood, canes or bamboo are perfect for the task and completely eco-sustainable.
An important feature for the environment, but also for your harvest, especially if you want to grow an organic garden .
Topping and fertilizing Piccadilly tomatoes
Pruning is an operation to be carried out between the end of July and the beginning of August , to encourage the ripening of the fruit.
It is also important to do this to prevent the plant from growing too tall and to help it become stronger.
Fertilize every three or four weeks , until the plant appears well developed.
We then recommend the use of potassium supplements from enlargement to full maturation.
How to water the Vesuvius tomato
When planting, the newly planted plant must be watered abundantly.
Subsequently, the soil must always be kept fresh, but never too moist.
The risk of water stagnation must be avoided at all costs , and at the same time care must be taken not to let the soil dry out too much , an eventuality that could give rise 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 delicately, so as not to disturb the humus .
As seen previously, the preferred temperatures for the Vesuviano tomato plant do not exceed 24°C, so remember to water more in the summer, to avoid dehydration of the soil.
Only once there are numerous ripe cherry 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 verdigris.
However, like all garden plants , the Piccadilly tomato plant is subject to some problems, diseases and physiopathies mainly due to environmental conditions, insects, viruses and bacteria, fungi and mold.
These diseases can cause a reduction in the productivity of the plant and damage the fruit itself, the stem, the roots, the leaves.
Always check your plants regularly to immediately notice any suspicious changes and act promptly.
For example, cherry tomatoes may get sunburned if exposed to too much heat from the sun, or suffer and rot from frost or drought.
If you overwater, however, or if you have just experienced a period of heavy rainfall, the excess water could cause the fruit to crack.
If specific plant health problems due to external organisms should arise, it will be appropriate 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 powerful in the fight against insects, parasites, fungi and mold.
Grow delicious tomatoes with the help of Millstore experts
Growing a Piccadilly cherry tomato plant with skill will be much easier if you rely on the advice of a team of experts.
Contact the horticultural professionals at Millstore to discover all the secrets of tomato cultivation , if you have questions about planting, how to care for the plant, or if you are having trouble recognizing any diseases or selecting the right product to remedy the problem.
Millstore is at your complete disposal also for curiosity, or to help you choose the best products to use and the most suitable tools for you, your garden and your crops.
