PIENNOLO DEL VESUVIO, Italy. A variety that deserves special attention. The name is derived from Mount Vesuvius in Naples. Let me explain why we sought seeds of this variety. In Italy, households use this variety for winter storage by cutting the clusters, tying them into large bunches, and simply hanging them in their cellars. In our collection, we have several varieties for storage, but their taste didn’t particularly impress us. Although they stored well until New Year. The fruits are firm, sweet-sour, aromatic, and weigh about 30 grams. Medium-early bush, up to 2 m tall in open ground, often sets fruit throughout the entire season, until frost.

To ensure better storage, the plants should be watered only when necessary, when the leaves start wilting. Tomato clusters can be hung on natural rope, with no more than three kilograms per bunch. The last fruits on the clusters should be brown. The most interesting thing is that it is sweet even when it’s not fully colored! Long-term storage is ensured by the very high content of dry matter in the fruits, and the firm skin guarantees fruit preservation. When stored, tomatoes of this variety do not rot, but rather dehydrate (dry out).

The stems are thin but strong, leaf plates are sparse, sometimes curling, the clusters are hanging, each with 7-9 fruits weighing 20-40 g. When fully ripe — intensely red plum-shaped tomatoes with a distinct elongated tip, with two ridges along the fruit. They do not crack or drop. Can be cut and transported with the clusters. I recommend it as one of the most productive plums for preservation and canning. Highest score for hyper-yield! Highest score for super taste! Our collection includes over 2000 varieties, many of which are Italian.

HISTORY OF THE VARIETY

The history began 300 years ago in Naples, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Someone noticed that the variety doesn’t spoil if stored in a dry and cool place. Since then, growing Piennolo cherry around Vesuvius became a profitable business for local farmers. This variety stays fresh for up to 7 months, simply hanging in dry and cool Italian sheds.

Currently, only 18 certified farmers have the right to grow this national treasure of Italy, particularly monitoring the quality of the tomatoes grown. The variety is early, tall, very productive, with good fruits that set in hot summers.