Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Sibirskie Shangi (Siberian Shangi) 🌍 Origin: A commercial variety from the famous Russian seed company “SibSad” (Siberian Garden). “Shangi” refers to traditional Siberian flat, open-faced savory tarts/pastries, which describes the shape of these tomatoes. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), reaching over 1.5m (5 ft). Vigorous and beautiful vines. Growers report that it … Read more
Quick Summary of Syzranskaya Roza (Syzran Rose) 🌍 Origin: An old, legendary heirloom from Syzran (often considered the tomato capital of the Volga region in Russia). The name translates to “Syzran Rose”. 🌿 Plant Habit: The true heirloom is indeterminate (tall) and mid-early, with a long and abundant fruiting period. ⚠️ Buyer Beware: Commercial seed … Read more
Quick Summary of Sakharnyi Bizon (Sugar Bison) 🌍 Origin: A famous Russian amateur selection that has become a commercial classic (popularized by companies like Siberian Garden / SibSad). The name translates to “Sugar Bison” and it is considered the forefather of many modern Russian pink varieties. 🌿 Plant Habit: Highly debated! Seed packets often list … Read more
Quick Summary of Ukrainian Pink Giant 🌍 Origin: An old, treasured heirloom from Ukraine. It has been passed down in local families since the 1980s. Historically, it is also known locally as Rozovyi Velikan or Rozhevyi Veleten (Pink Giant). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (vining). A very vigorous and massive plant that requires strong staking. 🍅 … Read more
Quick Summary of Rumyanyi (Rosy) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial and collectible variety. The name translates to “Rosy” or “Ruddy”, perfectly describing its glowing pinkish-red skin. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). It is a sturdy, compact plant growing about 50-70 cm (20-28 inches) outdoors, and stretching up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in a greenhouse. … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozamarin Funtovyi (Pound Rosemary) 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian variety (often sold by Gavrish and Johnsons Seeds). The name translates to “Pound Rosemary”, hinting at its large, 1-lb fruits. Note: There is both an open-pollinated (OP) heirloom version and an F1 hybrid version circulating under similar names. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), … Read more
Quick Summary of Russkaya Roza (Russian Rose) Important Variety Note: Do not confuse this classic heirloom Russian Rose (Russkaya Roza / Русская Роза) — a large, sweet pink beefsteak originating from Novorossiysk, Russia — with Black Russian Rose (a dark, anthocyanin-rich oxheart bred in Latvia by Valdis Puliņš). They are two distinct varieties with completely … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovoe Utro (Pink Morning) 🌍 Origin: A relatively new commercial variety from the famous Russian seed company “Siberian Garden” (SibSad). 🌿 Plant Habit: Officially classified as a tall determinate, but its height heavily depends on growing conditions. Outdoors in open ground, it usually stops around 1.3 meters (4.3 ft). However, in a … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovyi Blyuser (Pink Bluser) 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian/Eastern European variety known for producing exceptionally large, brightly colored fruits. 🌿 Plant Habit: Mid-early indeterminate. It grows to about 1.5 meters (5 ft) tall. Growers note that it is highly productive and has excellent disease resistance. Notably, it maintains its massive fruit size … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovyi Izyumnyi (Pink Raisin) 🌍 Origin & Name Confusion: An underrated but fantastic Russian variety originally from breeder T.Y. Yashchenko. Note: Do not confuse “Rozovyi Izyumnyi” (Pink Raisin – large beefsteak) with “Rozovyi Izyum” (Pink Raisin – cherry tomato). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but a moderate grower (not overly tall), with strong … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovyi Gigant (Pink Giant) 🌍 Origin: An official commercial variety registered in the Russian State Register. Note: It should not be confused with the family heirloom “Ukrainian Pink Giant” (Rozovyi Gigant Ukrainskiy). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but its growth habit is sprawling. It enthusiastically throws out side shoots (suckers) in all directions. … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovyi Begemot (Pink Hippo) 🌍 Origin: A fantastic Russian heirloom whose name translates to “Pink Hippo”—a very fitting title given the massive, blocky shape and heavy weight of its fruits. 🌿 Plant Habit: Reports on its growth habit vary. Some growers experience it as a shorter, compact plant, while others (especially in … Read more