Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zone 3-4 Experience)
Looks like this one definitely isn’t in our database yet. Folks asked for a description, so here it is. Big thanks to Ira from St. Petersburg for this one. Haven’t crossed paths with her in a long time, I remember her avatar was a pair of red boots.
She asked if I wanted an expired seed packet and I didn’t turn it down. Those old seeds kept popping up just fine for another couple of years. I didn’t try them after that, though they probably would have kept germinating.
It’s an indet vine, but doesn’t try to rip the roof off your greenhouse. More of a mid-season type. Fruits are large, bright yellow, and oblate. The taste is completely unique. I’m usually not big on acidic tomatoes, but this one’s got a really special tang to it. Almost exactly like a lemon. Great aroma too.
Way back at the end of the last century (makes me feel ancient just typing that) I grew a variety from Germany called Golden Queen. We had our own domestic version too, but they were completely different plants, fruits, and flavors. Anyway, Limonni reminds me a lot of that German Golden Queen. That was a very long time ago though, and I don’t have the chance to grow them side-by-side to compare. So I just stick to loving my Limonni.
Can’t seem to get the photos to insert right now. I’ll add them later in the replies.
I grew this one too. Huge yielder, tall vines. The flavor is definitely unique with a nice bite to it, right up the alley for folks who don’t care for overly sweet tomatoes.
The color in my photo is a bit off from the real deal, it’s slightly less bright in person.
Edited January 12, 2024 by Yanina
I’ve been growing Limonni since 2016. Vera @tomatinka sent it to me as a freebie gift with a seed order. The variety was completely unknown back then, I couldn’t find a description for it anywhere, but Vera promised I’d like it. And she was right, it turned out to be an excellent variety!
Indet, crazy yields. I grew it in the greenhouse and the vine was just loaded with these gorgeous flat-round, bright yellow tomatoes. Since I’m a huge fan of yellow varieties, this one instantly earned a permanent spot on my favorites list 👍 Here it is coloring up on the vine:
And here’s a single picking off just one plant:
Highly recommend! 👍 Thanks Vera! 🤝
Edited January 15, 2024 by Vitana
On 1/15/2024 at 2:01 PM, Vitana said:
I’ve been growing Limonni since 2016. Vera @tomatinka sent it to me as a freebie gift with a seed order. The variety was completely unknown back then, I couldn’t find a description for it anywhere, but Vera promised I’d like it. And she was right, it turned out to be an excellent variety! Indet, crazy yields. I grew it in the greenhouse and the vine was just loaded with these gorgeous flat-round, bright yellow tomatoes. Since I’m a huge fan of yellow varieties, this one instantly earned a permanent spot on my favorites list 👍
Highly recommend! 👍 Thanks Vera! 🤝
Thank you!! I’m always thrilled when a bonus seed packet makes someone’s day.
Still on my favorites list.
Full Summary: Plant, Yield, and Taste
- 🌿 Plant: Indeterminate, mid-season. The vines grow tall but remain manageable in a greenhouse. Fruits are large, flat-round (oblate), and ripen to a vivid yellow.
- 📈 Yield: Exceptionally high. Growers report that the vines get absolutely loaded, offering heavy single pickings from just one plant.
- 👅 Taste: A standout flavor profile. While many yellow varieties lean sweet and mild, Limonni packs a distinct tartness and acidic bite. The original poster describes it as having an aromatic, almost “lemony” tang that sets it apart.
- 🌎 Who Reviewed It: Veteran growers in USDA Zones 3 and 4 (Tyumen and Udmurtia regions). They deal with short growing seasons, making this a solid choice for cooler northern climates.
In the first post, the author mentions comparing Limonni to a German variety called Golden Queen. She is likely referring to Goldene Königin, a historic German yellow heirloom introduced in 1886, famous for its mild flavor. While Limonni visually resembles it, growers note that Limonni’s signature tart, citrusy tang makes it a completely different eating experience.
