Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Sibirskiy Kazak (Siberian Cossack) 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian variety (often sold by the Aelita seed company). The name translates to “Siberian Cossack.” 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. Outdoors in open ground, it usually stops around 1.2–1.3m (4 ft), but in a greenhouse, it easily reaches 1.8m (6 ft). It is a mid-to-late … Read more
Quick Summary of Slivovaya Kaplya (Plum Drop) 🌍 Origin: This thread reveals a classic seed industry scandal! The commercial seed company Russkiy Ogorod (Russian Garden) sells this variety as an expensive “F1 Hybrid” called Slivovaya Kaplya (Plum Drop). However, clever growers have figured out that it is actually just the American open-pollinated variety Indigo Kumquat … Read more
Quick Summary of Stan Ley 🌍 Origin: A bit of a mystery! Cultivated and popularized by Russian seed collector Alexey Kulik, who lists its origin as the USA. The name is likely a transliteration of “Stan Ley” (or Stan Lee). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but on the shorter side. Outdoors in open ground, it reaches … Read more
Quick Summary of Soldatovo 🌍 Origin: A highly prized authentic family heirloom from Minusinsk, Siberia (a region famous worldwide for its giant, hardy tomatoes). Originally sourced from local collector Natalia Shcherbinina. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate and highly vigorous. Reaches about 1.8–2 meters (6–6.5 ft) in a greenhouse and about 1.5 meters (5 ft) outdoors. It … Read more
Quick Summary of Syzranka 🌍 Origin: A famous old family heirloom from Syzran, a city on the Volga River famously known as the “Tomato Capital of Russia.” The name translates to “Girl from Syzran.” 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but on the shorter, more compact side. It typically grows to about 1.6 meters (5.2 ft) tall. … Read more
Quick Summary of Serdce Mordovii Rozovoe (Heart of Mordovia Pink) 🌍 Origin: An old, unregistered family heirloom originating from the Republic of Mordovia, Russia. Note: Russian breeder Dmitry Gusev sells a “Red” version of this tomato, but the strain featured here is the highly prized Pink/Raspberry version. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate and tall. It reaches … Read more
Quick Summary of Stolypin 🌍 Origin: A very famous Russian commercial variety introduced by the seed company “Aelita.” It is officially listed in the Russian State Register of Varieties (added in 2012). 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). An early to mid-season variety that stays compact but produces heavily. It is widely grown outdoors in open … Read more
Quick Summary of Sirenevoe Ozero (Lilac Lake) 🌍 Origin: A stunning dark heirloom variety from Eastern Europe. The name translates to “Lilac Lake.” Note: You may also see it sold under the name Buzkove Ozero, which is simply the Ukrainian translation of the exact same name. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. In a greenhouse, it typically … Read more
Quick Summary of Sweet Cream 🌍 Origin: An artisan elongated cherry/plum variety, closely related in genetics and appearance to famous varieties like Blush and Candy Sweet Icicle. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. In a greenhouse, it typically reaches 1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6.5 ft) and can be pruned to multiple stems. The plant has … Read more
Quick Summary of Sensei 🌍 Origin: A popular commercial variety from the Russian seed company “Siberian Garden” (Sibsad). The name translates directly to “Sensei” (Master/Teacher). 🌿 Plant Habit: A semi-determinate or compact indeterminate. It stays very manageable, growing to about 1 meter (3.2 ft) outdoors in open ground, and up to 1.3–1.5 meters (4–5 ft) … Read more
Quick Summary of Sladkoe Chudo (Sweet Miracle) 🌍 Origin: A highly prized Russian heirloom. The name translates to “Sweet Miracle.” Warning: This thread reveals that many commercial seed companies sell incorrect, off-type seeds under this name. The “true” variety described here was circulated among collectors (originating from N. Berezhnova). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, reaching about … Read more
Quick Summary of Sibiryachka Tosya (Siberian Girl Tosya) 🌍 Origin: A robust, early-season Russian determinate variety. The charming name translates to “Siberian Girl Tosya” (Tosya is a traditional Russian diminutive name). 🌿 Plant Habit: An ultra-compact determinate (bush). It grows to a maximum height of about 50 cm (20 inches). It is completely fuss-free, requiring … Read more