Grebeshok (Cockscomb) Siberian Heirloom Tomato Review

Tomato Grebeshok. I bought the seeds from an online store. In some sources, this variety is called Grebeshki (plural), while in others it’s just Grebeshok. It’s an old family heirloom from the town of Kupino, Novosibirsk region.

Indet, height is around 5.2 ft (1.6 m). The bush is sturdy with plenty of foliage. Holds up great against diseases and poor weather. Mid-season. Heavy producer.

The fruits are heart-shaped and ribbed like a cockscomb. Color is red. The flesh is super tender, the seed cavities are tiny, and there are barely any seeds. The flavor is a great balance of sweet and tart, leaning just a bit to the sweet side.

Edited December 26, 2018 by Drosera

A very interesting variety. Every fruit looks a bit different and ribbed. You can get both small and massive tomatoes on the exact same plant.

They really do look like a cockscomb! 🙂

Edited January 30, 2020 by IrinaVinn

Grebeshok Red, a family heirloom from Lyudmila Krivoguzova. I absolutely love this one and grow it every year. Heavy yielder, the fruits are glossy, dense, and meaty with excellent flavor. Mid-season indet.

@Murka wrote:
Grebeshok Red, a family heirloom from Lyudmila Krivoguzova…

Good evening, Masha. I grew Red Grebeshki this past season, an old family heirloom from Kupino, Novosibirsk region. Loved them. But I’ve also seen a variety called “Red Grebeshki from Bortnikov”. Is that a totally different tomato or just a mix-up with the names?

@Murka wrote:
Grebeshok Red, a family heirloom from Lyudmila Krivoguzova…

I’ve got the Krivoguzova one too—it’s been a favorite of mine since 2017. It looks a lot like the one from Kupino, but I haven’t grown that exact one and don’t have the seeds. It’s super meaty, practically seedless. Honestly, it would probably make awesome sun-dried tomatoes.

@Lyudmila PLS wrote:
I grew Red Grebeshki this past season, an old family heirloom from Kupino… Is that a totally different tomato or just a mix-up with the names?

Lyudmila, it’s most likely the exact same tomato. The Krivoguzova line has been going around for over 10 years; I actually chatted with her about this variety a few years back.

The “from Bortnikov” name seems pretty new, probably popping up when N. Ananyeva started sharing it. I could be wrong, though. Looking at Natalia’s pics, it doesn’t look much like the Krivoguzova one, but yours looks spot on. I’m guessing Natalia’s photos were just of fruits from the upper trusses, or maybe something with her weather messed with the shape.

Fun fact: Lyudmila Krivoguzova is actually from the town of Kupino!

@Svetikk wrote:
I’ve got the Krivoguzova one too—it’s been a favorite of mine since 2017…

Sveta, thanks! My Grebeshki were mostly flatter, kinda like your top cluster in that first pic. Super tasty too. Solid meat and barely any seeds.

@Murka wrote:
Lyudmila, it’s most likely the exact same tomato… Fun fact: Lyudmila Krivoguzova is actually from the town of Kupino!

Thanks, Masha. You’re probably right! I didn’t write it out clearly before. My seed pack… actually said “Bortnikov from Kupino, Novosibirsk Region. Family Heirloom.” So both names were on there.

From what I remember, all my tomatoes were flat or had this chunky, almost triangular shape. I don’t recall any perfectly round ones, though maybe I just forgot since it was my first time growing them. But they were super tasty, with bright red, juicy meat and almost no seeds. Definitely growing it again this year and I’ll keep a closer eye on it.