Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Tsarskiy Podarok (Tsar’s Gift) 🌍 Origin: A commercial variety from the Russian seed company “Siberian Garden” (Sibsad). Interestingly, growers have discovered that it is the exact same genetic variety as Sibsad’s Koroleva Elizaveta (Queen Elizabeth), simply marketed under two different names. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate, compact, and very stocky bush. It grows … Read more
Quick Summary of Khlebosolnyi 🌍 Origin: A very popular, high-yielding commercial heirloom from Siberia (Siberian Garden / SibSad). The name “Khlebosolnyi” translates to “Hospitable” or “Generous Host”, referring to its massive yield. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush) and spreading. It is officially rated for 80 cm (32 inches) in open ground, though it can reach … Read more
Quick Summary of Fidelio 🌍 Origin: A famous variety released by “Siberian Garden” (SibSad). According to the breeder’s history, it was developed by adapting a variety originally brought from the island of Cuba to the harsh Siberian climate. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), often exhibiting the classic “weeping” or wispy foliage typical of oxheart varieties. … Read more
Quick Summary of Sibirskaya Liana (Siberian Liana) 🌍 Origin: An old, established Russian heirloom variety that has been kept in private collections for many years. The name translates to “Siberian Liana” (Siberian Vine), referring to its extremely vigorous, climbing growth habit. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall vine). The grower notes that it performs best and … Read more
Quick Summary of Sibirskiy Gigant (Siberian Giant) 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian variety introduced by the well-known “Gavrish” seed company. The name appropriately translates to “Siberian Giant”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall). It produces an extremely vigorous and massive vine. Growers report it reaching up to 3 meters (nearly 10 ft) tall when pruned to … Read more
Quick Summary of Sibirskiy Kozyr (Siberian Trump Card) 🌍 Origin: A commercial variety from the famous Russian seed company “Sibsad” (Siberian Garden). The name translates to “Siberian Trump Card,” implying it’s a reliable, winning choice for a gardener. 🌿 Plant Habit (Take Note!): There is a known discrepancy with this variety. The official seed packet … Read more
Quick Summary of Sibirskiy Skorospelyi (Siberian Early) 🌍 Origin: A true, historic Soviet commercial variety officially registered in 1959 by the West-Siberian Vegetable and Potato Selection Experimental Station. The name translates to “Siberian Early-Ripening”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate (bush). Very compact, usually growing 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) tall. It produces a lot of suckers and … Read more
Quick Summary of Skifeya (Scythian Fairy) 🌍 Origin & Fascinating History: This variety has an incredible backstory. The seeds were discovered by a Russian collector in a remote Siberian village near Abakan, right next to the ruins of Zinkhir—the oldest stone city in the world, once belonging to the ancient Scythian civilization. The local village … Read more
Quick Summary of Russkaya Krasavitsa (Russian Beauty) 🌍 Origin: Officially included in the Russian State Register of breeding achievements in 2007. A highly sought-after pink oxheart variety. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, mid-season. Reaches about 1.5 meters (5 ft) in height. Requires staking and pruning. It has remarkable disease resistance, officially noted for resisting Fusarium wilt … 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
Quick Summary of Rozovyi Dlinnyi (Minusinsk Long Pink) 🌍 Origin: An authentic Siberian heirloom from the Minusinsk region. Seeds were preserved in old newspaper rolls since the Soviet era by a gardener in Kazantsevo. It originally spread through the tomato community simply as “Long Pink” and was later dubbed “Minusinsk Pepper-shaped Pink” by growers. 🌿 … Read more
Quick Summary of Rozovye Torbochki (Pink Pouches) 🌍 Origin: A visually stunning Russian/Eastern European heirloom. The name translates to “Pink Pouches” or “Pink Little Bags”, perfectly describing its unique ribbed, pear-like shape. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall) and extremely vigorous. It easily reaches 2 meters (6.5 ft) in a greenhouse. It sets fruit reliably all … Read more