Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Yuwel (Juwel / Jewel) 🌍 Origin & History: A legendary heirloom with a fascinating past. According to Soviet agricultural records, it was one of the most widely grown commercial varieties in the USSR during the 1930s. The name translates to “Jewel” from German (Juwel). 🕵️♂️ The Strain Mystery: There is a popular … Read more
Quick Summary of Crnkovic Yugoslavian 🌍 Origin: A very famous heirloom variety originating from the former Yugoslavia (reportedly brought to the US by Yasha Crnkovic). In Eastern European collections, it is widely traded under the transliterated name “Yugoslavskiy Krnkovicha”. 🌿 Plant Habit: A vigorous indeterminate (tall vining) plant. Growers report excellent results when training the … Read more
Quick Summary of Yusupovskiye / Uzbekskie 🌍 Origin: A legendary heirloom originating from Uzbekistan, highly prized in Eastern Europe. It is named after a famous Uzbek breeder (Yusupov). Often traded simply as “Uzbekskie” (Uzbek). 🌿 Plant Habit: Classic Strain: A vigorous, tall indeterminate vine reaching 1.8m (6 ft) or more, requiring strong support. Dwarf Strain: … Read more
Quick Summary of Ela 12 🌍 Origin: A new Polish breeding line. It is a cross between Malinowy Gigant (Pink Giant) and Albenga (a famous Italian pear/heart tomato, spelled “Albenaga” in the original post). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. The bush is described as very sturdy, vigorous, and highly disease-resistant. Growers have had excellent results growing … Read more
Quick Summary of Ela 18 🌍 Origin: A recent cross from a Polish breeding line. The lineage is listed as Malinowy nn od przekupki x Albenga (which roughly translates from Polish as “Unknown Pink from a market woman” crossed with “Albenga”). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, vigorous plant. Best suited for greenhouse growing in cooler climates. … Read more
Quick Summary of Blue Pineapple Lineage 🌍 Origin: A rare collectible variety originally developed in Belgium. Interestingly, in the Russian tomato community, the English word “Lineage” was somewhat lost in translation and it is commonly sold under the name “Epoch of the Blue Pineapple”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, tall and vigorous. It reaches about 150 … Read more
Quick Summary of Shapka Monomakha (Monomakh’s Cap) 👑 What is “Monomakh’s Cap”? The name translates to Monomakh’s Cap, which is the legendary, jewel-encrusted, sable-trimmed crown of the early Russian Tsars (dating back to the 13th century). The crown has a distinct dome/cone shape with a pointed top. Therefore, the “true” heirloom tomato of this name … Read more
Quick Summary of Chocolate Stripes (Polosatiy Shokolad) 🌍 Origin: A famous American variety developed in Ohio, USA by breeder John Siegel (a cross between Schimmeig Creg and a pink beefsteak). In Russia, it became incredibly popular under the translated name “Polosatiy Shokolad” (Striped Chocolate). Note: A Russian seed company even controversially trademarked this name in … Read more
Quick Summary of Shuntukskiy Velikan (Shuntuk Giant) 🌍 Origin: A robust, traditional Russian heirloom. The name translates to “Shuntuk Giant” (likely originating from the Shuntuk area in Southern Russia). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), vigorous, and surprisingly low-maintenance. It is highly praised for its incredible cold tolerance, setting fruit successfully even during unusually cold and … Read more
Quick Summary of Chendler (Chandler) 🌍 Origin: A collectible variety popularized by the famous Eastern European tomato collector A. Kulik. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), but can remain relatively compact depending on growing conditions. When grown outdoors in open ground, it reached about 1.1 meters (approx. 3.6 feet). Noted for being low-maintenance and highly disease-resistant, … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Plod (Miracle Fruit) 🌍 Origin: A rare heirloom variety originating from Ukraine. The name translates to “Miracle Fruit” or “Wonder Fruit.” 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, producing tall and quite vigorous, powerful bushes. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Large, beautiful oval-shaped (or blunt plum-shaped) red tomatoes. The fruits look like heavy “little bombs.” Average … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Zemli (Wonder of the Earth) 🌍 Origin: A very famous Russian heirloom/commercial variety. The name translates to “Wonder of the Earth”. Important Note: There are two distinct strains circulating under this name. The original Siberian strain (“SibSad” company) produces large, flat-round (oblate) pink beefsteaks. Meanwhile, a popular Ukrainian line produces beautiful … Read more