How to Grow Lucida Tomato
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Lucida Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Lucida'
vegetableLucida is a determinate paste tomato variety bred for disease resistance and uniform fruit production. Known for its deep red, plum-shaped fruits and exceptional resistance to early and late blight, it's an excellent choice for both fresh use and processing. This compact, bushy plant produces heavy yields of medium-sized fruits in a relatively short season.
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Example Lucida Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lucida Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lucida Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lucida Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-9; can be grown in zone 3 with season extension techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and emerging first true leaves. Very delicate and vulnerable to damping off.
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Keep temperature 70-75°F. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks (from seed to transplant-ready)Plant develops sturdy stem and compound leaves. Growth is bushy and compact for determinate varieties like Lucida.
Gradually harden off before transplanting. Ensure 8+ hours light daily and consistent moisture. Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer when 2-3 inches tall.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences). Flowers are self-pollinating but benefit from air movement.
Maintain consistent watering as inconsistency causes blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Support plant with stake or cage. Gentle air circulation aids pollination.
Fruiting & Development
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop and enlarge. Fruits progress from light green to mature deep red color over 20-30 days per fruit.
Prune suckers on indeterminate types if desired (Lucida is determinate so minimal pruning needed). Maintain steady watering. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Harvest Maturity
4-8 weeks until frostFruits turn deep red and reach full size. Plant reaches maximum productivity and shifts energy to ripening remaining fruit.
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Remove diseased foliage. Reduce watering slightly if excessive rain threatens disease. Support heavily laden branches.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulches
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Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil; sulfur dust; encourage predatory mites
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Lucida is resistant but provide: adequate spacing, mulch to prevent soil splash, remove lower infected leaves, fungicide if needed
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Lucida bred for resistance; use copper fungicide preventatively if nearby susceptible plants infected; remove infected tissue
Uses
Sauce & Paste Production
CulinaryThe plum shape and meaty flesh with low seed content makes Lucida excellent for tomato sauce, paste, and concentrated products. Its disease resistance and uniform ripening are ideal for commercial-scale processing. [source]
Fresh Eating & Cooking
CulinaryWhile bred for processing, Lucida tomatoes have good flavor for fresh salads, cooking, and canning. The low water content means less watery dishes. [source]
Antioxidant Health Benefits
MedicinalTomatoes, especially red varieties like Lucida, are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Lycopene is more bioavailable when tomatoes are cooked. [source]
Disease-Resistant Gardening
HouseholdLucida's genetic resistance to early and late blight reduces or eliminates the need for fungicide applications, making it ideal for organic and low-chemical home gardens in humid regions. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing tomatoes supports pollinator populations, which benefit the entire garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Lucida ripens uniformly, making it ideal for processing. For fresh eating, pick at vine-ripe stage. For storage, harvest at the 'breaker stage' (first hint of color) and ripen indoors. Determinate varieties produce most fruit in a concentrated window; harvest frequently.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lucida was developed at Cornell University as part of a breeding program specifically targeting disease resistance to late blight—the same pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are technically fruits (botanically berries) but were classified as vegetables in U.S. law for tariff purposes in the 1893 Supreme Court case Nix v. Hedden.
- 🌱 Lycopene—the compound that gives ripe tomatoes their red color—is actually MORE abundant and more easily absorbed by the body when tomatoes are cooked or processed than when eaten raw.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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