Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Solntse Severa (Sun of the North) 🌍 Origin: Distributed by a well-known (and somewhat secretive) Russian seed collector, Kolyakov. The name translates to “Sun of the North”. 🧐 The Naming Irony: As forum growers quickly point out, the name is quite misleading! One would expect a “Northern Sun” to be a yellow … Read more
Quick Summary of Pudovik 🌍 Origin & Registry: The officially registered name of the famous commercial variety from Siberian Garden (often sold with “Sevryuga” written in parentheses). Unlike “Sevryuga“, the name Pudovik is officially listed in the Russian State Register of Breeding Achievements. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), typically reaching 1.7-1.8 m (5.5-6 ft). Growers … Read more
Quick Summary of Sevryuga (and Severyuga / Pudovik) 🌍 The Naming Mystery: This is one of the most famously debated varieties in the Russian tomato community. Commercially, the Siberian Garden company (SibSad) released it under the names Sevryuga (a type of sturgeon fish) and Pudovik, stating they are the same variety. However, old-school seed savers … Read more
Quick Summary of Sasha 🌍 Origin: A Russian heirloom distributed by the well-known organic gardener and seed saver Kazarin. 🌿 Plant Habit: While sometimes officially positioned as a determinate (bush) variety, growers unanimously report that it behaves as an indeterminate (tall) vine, easily reaching 1.7 meters (5.6 ft) in both greenhouses and open ground. The … 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 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 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
Quick Summary of Serdce Lva (Lion’s Heart) 🌍 Origin: Bred by Russian tomato breeder Yury Kuzminykh from the Krasnodar Region. The name translates to “Lion’s Heart”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate and highly vigorous, but well-behaved (not overly leafy or aggressive). It thrives in a greenhouse and produces best when pruned to 3 stems. It has … Read more
Quick Summary of Serdce Tibeta (Heart of Tibet) 🌍 Origin: A highly productive Russian collector’s variety (seeds originally distributed by breeder Gusev). The name translates to “Heart of Tibet”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. It exhibits classic oxheart traits, meaning the bush is not overly vigorous and has delicate, “wispy” foliage. Outdoors it grows to about … Read more