How to Grow Vivelli Tomato
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Vivelli Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Vivelli'
vegetableVivelli is a determinate paste tomato variety known for its elongated Roma-type fruits with excellent flavor and disease resistance. Developed for fresh market and processing use, it produces high yields of uniform, meaty tomatoes ideal for sauces and pastes. This variety is particularly valued for its resistance to late blight and other common tomato diseases.
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Example Vivelli Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Vivelli 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 Vivelli Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Vivelli Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; grow as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warmest zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons and first true leaves emerging; plants are delicate and light green
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily under grow lights; maintain temperature of 65-75°F; thin seedlings when first true leaves appear
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and a strong stem; sturdy growth with dark green foliage
Harden off transplants before planting outdoors; plant deeply burying lower stem; space 24-36 inches apart; install support cages or stakes early; prune suckers on indeterminate growth; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer
Flowering
2-3 weeksPlant produces clusters of yellow flowers; flowers appear in succession along the stem
Maintain consistent watering; avoid over-nitrogen fertilization which delays flowering; ensure adequate calcium intake to prevent blossom end rot; provide good air circulation; temperature should be 65-75°F for best pollination
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; fruits gradually enlarge and begin color transition from green to red
Continue consistent watering (critical at this stage); apply calcium fertilizer or lime if not done earlier; maintain good airflow around plants; mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature; reduce nitrogen to encourage ripening
Ripening & Harvest
2-3 weeks for initial harvest, then 4-6 weeks of continued fruitingFruits fully enlarge and transition from green to fully red color; fruits become softer and sweeter as they mature
Reduce watering slightly as fruits mature; avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; harvest when fully red and slightly soft to touch; pick fruit regularly to encourage continued production on determinate type
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; check undersides of leaves regularly
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air circulation; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or sulfur fungicide; water at soil level only; mulch to prevent soil splash; this variety has good resistance
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This variety has excellent resistance; maintain air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; apply copper fungicide if needed; provide good drainage
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium via gypsum or lime; mulch to regulate moisture; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
Uses
Pasta Sauce & Tomato Products
CulinaryVivelli's meaty, paste-type fruit with low seed and water content makes it ideal for homemade marinara, pasta sauce, and tomato paste. The concentrated flavor develops beautifully in slow-cooked sauces and preserves. [source]
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinaryDespite being a paste variety, Vivelli tomatoes have excellent flavor suitable for fresh consumption in salads, sandwiches, and sliced dishes. The firm flesh holds up well to handling and slicing. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalTomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that becomes more bioavailable when cooked. Regular consumption is associated with cardiovascular and prostate health benefits. [source]
Canning & Food Preservation
HouseholdThe paste-type fruit is excellent for canning, freezing, and making preserved tomato products. Higher acidity and lower water content make it ideal for safe home preservation. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a non-hybrid variety (if open-pollinated), Vivelli seeds can be saved for next season. Fermented seed extraction improves germination rates in future plantings. [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 gentle pressure; Vivelli is a determinate variety, so it produces most fruit within a concentrated period; twist or cut fruit from stem; harvest regularly to encourage continuous production; can pick mature green tomatoes and ripen indoors if needed; store at room temperature (avoid refrigeration which damages flavor); best used fresh or for sauce/paste processing
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The Roma/paste tomato type was originally developed in Italy for making authentic tomato paste and was later perfected in California for large-scale processing.
- 🌱 Vivelli's disease resistance, particularly to late blight (which caused the Irish potato famine), was specifically bred into this variety to reduce fungicide requirements.
- 🌱 A single Vivelli plant can produce 15-25+ pounds of fruit in a season under optimal conditions, making it highly productive for home gardeners focused on sauce-making.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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