Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
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 Tsar Kolokol (Tsar Bell) 🌍 Origin: A famous Russian commercial heirloom, officially entered into the State Register in 2005 (bred by V. Dederko). The name translates to “Tsar Bell”, named after the massive historical bell on display in the Moscow Kremlin. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). The plant is relatively compact, typically … Read more
🌸 Editor’s Note: We all love our lilies, but eventually, those beautiful clumps get a little too crowded and stop putting on a good show. In this article, our resident gardening expert and forum admin, Pomidoroved, breaks down exactly when and how you should be dividing and transplanting your lilies—while hilariously busting a few stubborn … Read more
🌸 Editor’s Note: We talk a lot about vegetables here, but every garden needs a splash of color! In this classic, slightly humorous guide, forum admin Pomidoroved breaks down the absolute basics of growing gorgeous lilies—including a few crucial mistakes you definitely want to avoid. Be sure to check the comments for a fascinating grower … Read more
🌷 Editor’s Note: We all love a good low-maintenance garden, and tulips often seem like the perfect “plant-it-and-forget-it” flower. But if you’ve ever wondered why those expensive, fancy Dutch tulips look spectacular the first year and then mysteriously vanish by year three, this article is for you. Our forum veteran Pomidoroved breaks down the science … Read more
🌺 Editor’s Note: Dahlias are the crown jewels of the late-summer garden, but overwintering their delicate tubers in harsh, freezing climates is a true test of a gardener’s skill. In this article, our growers share their battle-tested methods for keeping dahlia tubers plump and healthy until spring — along with a spirited debate in the … 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 Heinz 1370 🌍 Origin: A classic American commercial variety developed by the H.J. Heinz Company. Widely distributed around the world for its reliability in making ketchup, sauces, and canned goods. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). It grows compactly, typically staying under 1 meter (around 70 cm / 2.3 ft), making it excellent … 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 Hypeel 108 F1 🌍 Origin: A commercial determinate F1 hybrid. The name “Hypeel” generally indicates varieties bred specifically for easy peeling and mass commercial canning/processing. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush), medium height. It produces abundant flowers and sets fruit very reliably, even demonstrating good heat tolerance. Despite being a bush variety, staking … 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 Howes (Khoves) 🌍 Origin: An extremely rare variety distributed by Ukrainian seed collector Alexei Kulik. It is praised primarily as a long-keeper. 🌿 Plant Habit: Moderate height. Warning for seed savers: The currently circulating seeds show significant genetic instability. Growers report seedlings splitting into both Regular Leaf (RL) and Potato Leaf (PL) … Read more