Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Shapka Monomakha (Monomakh’s Cap) 👑 What is “Monomakh’s Cap”? The name translates to Monomakh’s Cap, which is the legendary, jewel-encrusted, sable-trimmed crown of the early Russian Tsars (dating back to the 13th century). The crown has a distinct dome/cone shape with a pointed top. Therefore, the “true” heirloom tomato of this name … Read more
Quick Summary of Chernomor (Black Sea Man) 🌍 Origin: A well-known Russian commercial variety (produced by SeDek). The name translates to “Black Sea Man” or “Chernomor” (a character from Russian fairy tales). 🌿 Plant Habit: The seed packet claims it is a semi-determinate (1.3-1.5 m / 4.2-5 ft) variety for greenhouses and open ground. However, … Read more
Quick Summary of Gigant Lary (Giant of Lara) 🌍 Origin: A large-fruited heirloom variety originating from Hungary (Венгрия). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), powerful and vigorous bush reaching over 1.8 meters (6+ feet) in height. Regular leaf foliage. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Large, heavy pink beefsteaks with slight ribbing/gathering at the shoulders. The skin is not … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo (Wonderwork) 🌍 Origin: A Russian heirloom variety originally from breeder V. Kolyakov. The name translates directly to “Miracle” or “Wonderwork”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, growing to about 1.3–1.7 meters (4.2–5.5 ft) tall. Performs well in both greenhouses and open ground. It shows excellent heat tolerance and doesn’t drop blossoms during hot … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Zemli Ukrainskoe (Ukrainian Wonder of the Earth) 🌍 Origin: A legendary pink oxheart from Ukraine. Note: Do not confuse this with the Russian commercial strain “Chudo Zemli” from Siberian Garden (SibSad), which is a completely different flat-round beefsteak. This is the true Ukrainian heart-shaped heirloom. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (approx. 1.5 … Read more
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Quick Summary of Chinook Tomato 🌍 Origin: A gorgeous release from the renowned Canadian tomato breeder Karen Olivier. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (very tall) and vigorous. The vines are strong and easily reach the roof of a standard greenhouse (over 6.5 feet / 2 meters). It requires heavy-duty staking and tying due to the massive … Read more
Quick Summary of Borisovna’s Black Heart with a Spout 🌍 Origin: A legendary forum-born heirloom! Discovered by grower Natalya (Borisovna) from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, from a market tomato. It has since spread worldwide. Also known as Black with a Spout, Black Oxheart from Borisovna, or Chernoe Serdtse s Nosikom. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), reaching 1.5–2.5 … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Zemli Orange 🌍 Origin: An orange variant/strain of the famous Russian heirloom “Chudo Zemli” (Wonder of the Earth). Some growers note a strong visual resemblance to the Fox Nose (Liskin Nos) variety, though they behave differently in the garden. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall) and extremely vigorous. When grown in a … Read more
Quick Summary of Tsarskiy Podarok (Tsar’s Gift) 🌍 Origin: A commercial variety from the Russian seed company “Siberian Garden” (Sibsad). Interestingly, growers have discovered that it is the exact same genetic variety as Sibsad’s Koroleva Elizaveta (Queen Elizabeth), simply marketed under two different names. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate, compact, and very stocky bush. It grows … Read more
Quick Summary of Tsarevich (The Prince) 🌍 Origin: A highly regarded Russian heirloom. The name “Tsarevich” translates to “The Tsar’s Son” or “Prince”, fitting for such a noble and beautiful yellow oxheart. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall) and mid-early. It exhibits the classic oxheart growth habit: “wispy” or drooping, fragile-looking foliage that shouldn’t be mistaken … Read more
Quick Summary of Fenix (Phoenix) 🌍 Origin: A Russian folk heirloom variety from the collection of V. Kolyakov. The name translates to “Phoenix” (Fenix). 🌿 Plant Habit: Medium foliage. Performs very well outdoors in open ground and delivers a solid, dependable yield. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Large, dark pinkish-red oxheart-shaped fruits. The flesh is incredibly dense, … Read more
Quick Summary of Fioletovo-Malinovaya Baska 🌍 Origin: A Russian collector variety, originally popularized by seedsman V. Redko. The name translates to “Purple-Raspberry Baska”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. The plants are extremely vigorous, powerful, and healthy, easily growing over 1.5m (5 ft) tall outdoors in open ground. It handles aggressive multi-stem pruning (4-5 stems) effortlessly without … Read more