Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Queen Elizabeth (Koroleva Elizaveta) 🌍 Origin: A fantastic commercial Russian variety from Siberian Garden (Sibsad). Interestingly, it was later renamed/repackaged by the company as “Tsarsky Podarok” (Tsar’s Gift) to avoid trademark confusion with a famous strawberry variety of the same name. 🌿 Plant Habit: A gorgeous determinate, tree-type dwarf. It grows … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Krasavitsa Moskvy (Beauty of Moscow) 🌍 Origin: A reliable commercial Russian variety, originally distributed by the Sedek seed company. The name translates to “Beauty of Moscow”. 🌿 Plant Habit: A highly compact determinate (bush) variety. It stays extremely short, maxing out around 20 inches (0.5 m) tall. It requires absolutely no … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Kubiki (Cubes) 🌍 Origin: An unnamed Russian family heirloom that has been passed down and grown for over 25 years. The original name was lost to time, so the grower dubbed it “Kubiki” (Cubes) due to its blocky shape. 🌿 Plant Habit: A true determinate (bush) variety. It stays short, maxing … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Orange Klondike (Klondajk Oranzhevyj) 🌍 Origin: A reliable commercial Russian variety, often distributed by major seed companies like Aelita. 🌿 Plant Habit: A true determinate (bush) variety. It stays extremely compact, maxing out around 24-28 inches (60-70 cm) tall. It is an absolute low-maintenance dream because it requires zero pruning or … Read more
📌 Quick Summary: Karamelka (Little Caramel) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial dwarf/patio variety bred specifically for container and balcony gardening. The name translates to “Little Caramel” (a hard candy). 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). Generally stays very short, sprawling, and compact. It requires no pruning or suckering. However, some growers warn that if planted in … Read more
📌 Quick Summary: Kubyshka 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial variety distributed by seed companies like Siberian Garden (SibSad) and Agros. The name “Kubyshka” refers to a traditional, chubby little clay pot used for hoarding coins—a perfect name for a short, stocky plant stuffed with fruit! 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (dwarf). It grows as a sturdy, … Read more
📌 Quick Summary: Karlik Nos (Dwarf Nose) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial dwarf variety bred by L. Myazina. The name translates to “Dwarf Nose,” referencing the tiny pointed beak (nose) on the blossom end of the fruit. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (dwarf). The seed packet notoriously claims it is the “brother of the Mongolian Dwarf” … Read more
📌 Quick Summary: Kaskad (Cascade) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial dwarf/patio variety. The name translates to “Cascade”, referencing the way the heavy trusses of cherry tomatoes spill over the sides of the plant. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). A very compact and well-behaved plant, reaching a maximum height of around 24 inches (60 cm). It … Read more
📌 Quick Summary: Kimmeriec (Cimmerian) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial variety. The name translates to “Cimmerian” (referencing the ancient nomadic Indo-European people). 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). Very compact, topping out around 24 to 28 inches (60-70 cm). Needs plenty of lateral space and strong staking due to the massive weight of the fruit. Best … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Kazabalykskiy Superearly 🌍 Origin: An older commercial variety that has circulated in Russian seed shops since at least the mid-1990s. The name is widely believed to be a slight spelling corruption of the Karabalyk district in Kazakhstan. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). An absolute workhorse of a plant. Usually tops out … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Kubansky Smuglyi (Dark Kuban) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial heirloom. The name translates to “Kuban Swarthy” or “Dark Kuban” (referring to the Kuban region in Southern Russia and the dark color of the fruit). 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). A very compact and well-behaved plant, topping out at around 20 inches … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Cream Sausage 🌍 Origin: Originally bred by the legendary American breeder Tom Wagner under the name “Banana Cream”. It was later renamed “Cream Sausage” without his permission, and this is the name it is most commonly traded under in Russia and Eastern Europe. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). Generally reaches about … Read more