Quick Summary of Sweet Cherry Iskra (Sweet Cherry Spark)
- 🌍 Origin: Developed by Russian amateur breeder Nikolay Alexandrov from the city of Chelyabinsk. Fun fact: The breeder himself actually chimed in on this very thread to comment on the grower’s results!
- 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, very vigorous, reaching over 2 meters (6.5 ft) in height. It has regular foliage and forms simple and intermediate flower trusses. The vines are strong and growers recommend pruning it to multiple stems to maximize the harvest.
- 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Classic red, smooth, round cherry tomatoes. They average about 14 g (0.5 oz) and grow in long clusters of 8 to 17 fruits. They have 3 locules (seed cavities) and hold plenty of seeds. A huge bonus: they are highly resistant to cracking on the vine.
- 👅 Flavor: Described as an “ideal” tomato flavor—very sweet with a perfectly balanced, pleasant tartness and a great aroma. Best used for fresh snacking.
- ⏳ Maturity & Yield: Very early season (91-105 days). The reviewer harvested about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) per plant when pruned to just two stems, though the breeder noted that under optimal conditions, both the fruit size and the overall yield should be even higher.
Variety name — SWEET CHERRY ISKRA (SPARK)
Producer — Amateur tomato breeder from Chelyabinsk, N.A. Alexandrov.
Taste — Ideal, pronounced sweet tomato flavor with a pleasant tartness, aromatic fruit.
Plant type and height — Indeterminate, over 2 meters (6.5 ft).
Fruit weight, color, and shape — 14 g (0.5 oz), red, smooth, round shape.
Pros — Low maintenance, productive, 8-17 fruits in a cluster, the bush is strong, can be grown in multiple stems.
Cons — None.
Ripening time — Very early (91-105 days). The first tomato ripened on July 8th.
Leaf type — Regular leaf.
Inflorescence type — Simple and intermediate (semi-complex).
Cavities — Three-chambered (3 locules).
Number of seeds — Many.
Application — Fresh eating.
Yield kg/bush — I pruned it to only two stems (which I regret, I should have left more), got about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) per bush.
Resistance to cracking — Does not crack.
Thanks for the review… I am not satisfied with the yield and fruit size… They should be a little bigger and more productive…
