Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zones 4)
Another wonderful variety from Aelita. I planted two vines in the greenhouse, pruned to 2 leaders each. The bushes stayed under 2.5 ft (80 cm) in the greenhouse. Productive, high-yielding, and tasty.
I have a suspicion that Toddler’s Belly (Puzo Karapuza) and Raspberry Rhapsody are very close relatives. But Rhapsody is shorter and the fruits are a bit smaller. The variety perfectly matches the description on the seed packet, which is great. Out in the dirt (outdoors), it will probably stay right around 1.6 ft (50 cm). Average weight is 7-10.5 oz (200-300g). The fruits are pink/raspberry-colored and oblate. For me, the flavor turned out a bit simpler than Toddler’s Belly, but still quite good. For anyone who collects “semi-determinates” / compact plants like Echo or Chocolate Zebra, this is a very solid choice.
Edited November 7, 2022 by Yuliya Antsifrova
I also grew these in the greenhouse this year. Excellent fruit set. They were the tastiest and earliest among my large-fruited tomatoes. I had to support and tie up the clusters because they were snapping under the sheer weight of the fruit. They didn’t catch any diseases at all, and kept producing right up until the frosts hit.
You could say they didn’t crack at all (there were some tiny cracks on just one plant, but it was planted right next to a cucumber, so naturally, it got a bit too much water). This is the only tomato from my entire lineup this year that I am 100% planting again next season. Absolutely zero complaints about taste, yield, or disease resistance.
Full Summary: Plant Habit, Yields, and Disease Resistance
- 🌿 Plant & Foliage: Semi-determinate (compact). Reaches about 2.5 ft (80 cm) in a greenhouse and stays even shorter outdoors in the dirt (around 1.6 ft / 50 cm). Well-behaved and manageable, but the heavy fruit clusters require good support to prevent the branches from snapping.
- 📈 Yield & Health: Extremely productive for its compact size. Shows excellent disease resistance, remaining healthy and fruiting right up until the first autumn frosts. Rarely cracks, even with slightly uneven watering.
- 🍅 Fruit & Shape: Oblate (flattened-round) pink/raspberry beefsteaks. Reliable medium-to-large sizes, averaging 7-10.5 oz (200-300g).
- 👅 Taste: Very good, classic tomato flavor. While it might not be the most complex gourmet heirloom in the garden, it is highly praised for being delicious and early-ripening for a beefsteak of its size.
