Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Chio-Chio-San 🌍 Origin: A highly popular commercial Russian variety, officially registered in the Russian State Register of Breeding Achievements. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), though some growers successfully prune it into a multi-stem determinate bush. As seedlings, the plants often look weak or “wispy,” which is normal, but they explode with vigor … Read more
Quick Summary of Chelnok (Shuttle) 🌍 Origin: A well-known Russian commercial variety. The name “Chelnok” translates to “Shuttle” (as in a weaving shuttle), referring to its elongated shape. 🌿 Plant Habit: A true tree-type determinate (compact bush). Usually maxes out at just 40-45 cm (16-18 inches) tall. No pruning or suckering is required! The seedlings … Read more
Quick Summary of Chernosliv (Prune / Black Plum) 🌍 Origin: A highly popular Russian variety. The name translates to “Prune” (dried plum). Widely distributed by companies like Biotekhnika and kept pure by heirloom collectors. Note: Growers suspect it might be genetically identical to “Black Roma”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), but very space-saving. The foliage … Read more
Quick Summary of Chernaya Galaktika (Black Galaxy) 🌍 Origin: A stunning commercial release from the Russian seed company SeDeK. Valued for its extremely high anthocyanin content. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), very vigorous, reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) but with relatively sparse foliage. It is highly cold-tolerant, disease-resistant, and performs beautifully in both … Read more
Quick Summary of Violet Jasper (Tzi Bi U / Tszy-Yu) 🌍 Origin: A stunning commercial heirloom originally from China. It circulates under multiple translated names, including Violet Jasper, Purple Jasper, Tzi Bi U, and Tszy-Yu. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), typically reaching 1.2–2 m (4–6.5 ft) depending on whether it is grown outdoors or in … Read more
Quick Summary of Tsifomandra 🌍 The Naming Mystery: In the West, Cyphomandra refers to the Tamarillo (a tropical tree that produces fruit). However, in Russia and Ukraine, seed companies adopted the name “Tsifomandra” for regular tomato varieties to market them as incredibly vigorous, tree-like plants with massive yields. 🧬 Strain Differences: This forum thread highlights … Read more
Quick Summary of Tsypochka (Little Chick) 🌍 Origin: A very productive Russian commercial variety. The name “Tsypochka” translates to “Little Chick”, perfectly describing its bright yellow color and cute, slightly elongated plum shape with a distinct little beak. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), reaching 1.7–2 m (5.5–6.5 ft) in height. It requires regular suckering and … Read more
Quick Summary of Citrina 🌍 Origin: A highly sought-after commercial heirloom variety of Czech breeding. Its name hints at its appearance—the bright yellow fruits are shaped exactly like miniature lemons, complete with a distinct little point (beak) at the blossom end. 🌿 Plant Habit: Vigorous and incredibly productive (indeterminate). Because it sets such massive amounts … Read more
Quick Summary of Tsitrusovyi Sad (Citrus Garden) 🌍 Origin: A famous Russian commercial/heirloom variety. It circulates under several synonymous names, most notably Chudo Sveta (Wonder of the World), Citrina, and sometimes mistakenly as Anna German. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), highly vigorous. It is a “multiflora” type, meaning it produces massive, highly complex flower trusses. … Read more
Quick Summary of Hong Cai Bao (Khon-Tsai-Bao) 🌍 Origin: An exotic striped cherry variety originating from China. The name is transliterated from Russian catalogs as Khon-Tsai-Bao, or more commonly in international seed exchanges as Hong Cai Bao. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall) and highly vigorous. It performs exceptionally well outdoors in open ground and boasts … Read more
Quick Summary of Huan U (Topaz) 🌍 Origin: An exotic cocktail/cherry variety originating from China. Often circulated among collectors under multiple names: Huan U, Topaz, Honey Topaz, or Pearlescent. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), highly vigorous, and tends to produce a ton of suckers. Can easily reach 3 meters (10 ft) in a greenhouse. Extremely … Read more
Quick Summary of Fitous 🌍 Origin: A highly resilient and dependable Russian variety. The name is “Fitous” (Фитоус). 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). It grows compactly to about 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) tall and features sparse/wispy foliage. It is incredibly rugged, requiring minimal care, and thrives even in poor soil and low-water conditions. Perfect for … Read more