📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Babushkin Potseluy (Grandma’s Kiss)
- 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian variety from the “Semena Altaya” (Seeds of Altai) company, part of their Siberian Collection. The name translates to “Grandma’s Kiss”.
- 🌿 Plant Habit: Potato Leaf (PL) foliage. There seems to be significant genetic variability regarding its height. It is officially listed as a determinate (bush) variety, and some growers report it stopping around 3 ft (1 m). However, others report the plant acting as a vigorous indeterminate, easily reaching 6.5 ft (2 m) tall.
- 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Golden-yellow beefsteaks, typically weighing 7–12 oz (200–350 g). The skin is slightly on the thicker side, which protects the fruit well. Note on seeds: Some growers have experienced very poor germination rates with commercial seed packets of this variety.
- 👅 Flavor & Yield: Absolutely outstanding! Growers rave about the sweet, fruity, buttery, and sugar-fleshed texture. Yield potential is massive if grown in a warm, favorable microclimate.
I grew the variety “Babushkin Potseluy” (from Semena Altaya, Siberian Collection) back in 2012 outdoors in open ground. It was listed as a determinate, but mine grew into a towering bush. Yield was very high. Fruits are yellow, weighing 7–12 oz (200-350 g), and sweet. The skin is a little bit thick. Potato leaf (PL) foliage.
Grew mine in the greenhouse (also in 2012). It grew tall and literally hit the greenhouse roof at 6.5 ft (2 m). Yield was average, fruits around 7 oz (200 g). Flavor was good—sweet and sugar-fleshed. It is potato leaf (PL). My seeds were also from the Altai company, but out of the whole packet (20 seeds), my germination rate was awful—only 2 sprouted.
Super variety! Initially started from “Semena Altaya” seeds. I was absolutely thrilled with both the yield and the flavor. The flesh is incredibly sweet, almost fruity, buttery, and juicy. Tastes like absolute candy. With proper feeding and care, you could easily pull a whole bucket of tomatoes off a single bush. Multi-fruit trusses. Potato leaf (PL).
Svetlana, where did you grow it? Was yours a det or an indet?
Zulya, everything is outdoors in open ground for me this year.
You must have a unique microclimate in your yard. Every other grower in the Urals complains about the weather, but you always get excellent harvests outdoors! 🎩 👏
My little garden is completely enclosed on all sides. Three sides have solid privacy fences, and the house blocks the fourth side. It’s a tiny little patch, about 1,600 sq ft (1.5 ares) total. I planted these specifically close to the brick house, so the wall acted as thermal mass and radiated heat to keep them warm. So there you go.
Svetlana, but was yours a det or an indet?
Definitely leaned toward determinate. Topped out around 3 ft (1 m).
