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How to Grow Belissima Tomato

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Belissima Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Belissima'

vegetable

Belissima is a hybrid determinate tomato variety known for its large, globe-shaped red fruits and exceptional disease resistance. This Italian heirloom-inspired cultivar produces abundant yields of flavorful tomatoes ideal for fresh eating and cooking. It was developed for commercial production but thrives in home gardens.

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Example Belissima Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Belissima Tomato

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Belissima Tomato

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Belissima Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily (8+ hours preferred)
💧
Water: Deep, consistent watering 1-2 inches per week; water at soil level to avoid foliage diseases; increase during fruiting stage
📏
Spacing: 24-36 inches between plants; 36-48 inches between rows inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants planted deep (bury stem up to first true leaves)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Calcium (gypsum or crushed eggshells) to prevent blossom-end rot Balanced fertilizer (5-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension and in zone 10 with afternoon shade

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2 cotyledons emerge; first true leaves appear small and serrated

Maintain consistent moisture and bright light (14-16 hours); avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation; keep soil warm (70-75°F)

2

Vegetative

3-4 weeks in containers, then ongoing until flowering

Plants grow rapidly, developing multiple true leaves and thickening stems; root system expands significantly

Harden off seedlings before transplanting; transplant when 6-8 inches tall with 4-6 true leaves; install stakes or cages early; prune lower leaves once plant is established

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks for initial flowering; continues throughout season

First flower clusters appear at nodes; yellow flowers open in succession; plants reach full height (3-4 feet)

Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot; apply balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer; provide sturdy support structures; allow some pruning of suckers but avoid excessive leaf removal

4

Fruiting & Harvest

3-4 weeks from flower to ripe fruit; 4-6 weeks of primary harvest window

Fruits develop from flowers, grow to full size (4-5 inches diameter), and transition from green to red; multiple clusters ripen sequentially

Continue consistent watering and feeding; reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage; remove some leaves shading fruit in mid-summer for even ripening; harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production

5

End of Season

2-4 weeks depending on climate

Fruit production slows; plants may show fatigue; late-season fruits mature more slowly

Continue harvesting mature fruit; remove diseased foliage promptly; can pick mature green tomatoes before first frost and ripen indoors; cease fertilizing

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Marigold Nasturtium Carrot Lettuce Spinach Borage Chives

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Kohlrabi Other Solanaceae in same location (rotate 3-4 years)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick daily; encourage parasitic wasps; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; neem oil

  • Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; strong water spray to dislodge

  • Spray with water; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings

  • Increase humidity and watering; miticide spray; neem oil; predatory mites

  • Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; fungicide (copper, chlorothalonil) as preventive

  • Remove infected foliage immediately; improve air circulation; copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; resistant variety selection

  • Remove infected leaves; mulch; avoid wetting foliage; copper fungicide; crop rotation

Uses

🍳

Fresh slicing and salads

Culinary

Belissima's large globe fruits slice cleanly and evenly, making them ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and plate presentations. The balanced sweet-to-acid ratio and firm flesh hold up well without becoming watery. [source]

🍳

Sauce and cooking

Culinary

With good flavor and moderate juice content, Belissima works well for homemade tomato sauce, pasta dishes, and cooked preparations. Its firm texture prevents mushiness when simmered. [source]

💊

Lycopene and antioxidants

Medicinal

Red tomatoes like Belissima are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention. Lycopene bioavailability increases when tomatoes are cooked or processed. [source]

🏠

Seed saving

Household

Belissima is a hybrid, so saved seeds will not produce identical plants; however, seeds can be fermented and saved for learning and experimentation. True-to-type open-pollinated varieties are better for reliable seed saving. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing Belissima alongside flowering companion plants like basil and borage creates a more biodiverse garden that supports beneficial insects. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully red and slightly soft to touch (if left on vine, flavor develops more fully); harvest regularly to encourage continued production; pick before first frost if stems are still productive; mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors at 68-72°F in 2-3 weeks

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Belissima means 'most beautiful' in Italian, reflecting the variety's attractive appearance and Italian heritage breeding focus
  • 🌱 This variety was specifically bred to combine the large fruit size and disease resistance of modern hybrids with the superior flavor profile of heirloom tomatoes
  • 🌱 Belissima is noted for its exceptional resistance to the three major tomato leaf diseases: Early Blight, Late Blight, and Septoria Leaf Spot, making it an excellent choice for humid climates

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Hybrid pH Sucker Transplant True Leaves
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