Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
🍅 Quick take: Krovavaya Meri (Bloody Mary) is a mid-season indeterminate variety specifically promoted for making rich tomato juice. Revived from a seed packet that expired in 2000, it produces smooth, round red tomatoes with a classic, old-school tomato bite that isn’t overly sweet. While the name might not be for everyone, it proves to … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Dary Volkhvov (Gifts of the Magi) 🌍 Origin: A Russian heirloom variety. The name beautifully translates to “Gifts of the Magi” (referencing the Biblical Wise Men). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. Grows to about 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. Performs well in greenhouses. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Red, elongated oval (plum/paste) tomatoes. They … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Dyuiymovochka (Thumbelina) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial variety famously released by the “Poisk” seed company. The name translates to “Thumbelina” (the tiny fairy tale character). ⚠️ The Great Mix-Up: If you buy or trade seeds for this variety, be aware that there are two completely different strains circulating under this name … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Druzhba (Friendship) 🌍 Origin: A widely loved Eastern European heirloom. The word “Druzhba” translates to “Friendship”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate. When grown outdoors in open ground, it typically reaches about 5.2-5.5 feet (1.6-1.7 m) in height. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Large, red beefsteaks that are round but slightly oblate (flattened) with mild … Read more
📌 Quick Summary (TL;DR): Garmoshka (Accordion) 🌍 Origin: A commercial variety introduced by the seed company Premium Seeds. The name translates to “Accordion”, which perfectly describes its heavily pleated, ribbed shape. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), typically growing well over 6.5 ft (2 m) in a greenhouse. It has moderate foliage and requires regular suckering … Read more
B Borisovna ⭐ Pro Grower 📍 Karaganda (USDA Zone 4) How I Save Tomato Seeds 📌 Quick Summary: Tomato Seed Saving Process Select the Best: Choose a fruit that perfectly matches the variety’s traits. Avoid fruits from megablooms or those with Blossom End Rot. Mark It: Write the variety name directly on the ripening fruit … Read more
Discussion from the Seed Savers Forum | Autumn Seed Collection 📌 Quick Summary: Why Do Saved Tomato Seeds Turn Brown? If you are saving heirloom tomato seeds and notice they turn light brown or dark after drying, don’t panic! While black necrotic spots can indicate disease, a general brown tint to the seed coat is … Read more