Heirloom Tomato Varieties & Reviews | Tomat-Pomidor
Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
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 Work Release Paste 🌍 Origin & “Lost in Translation” Story: This is a famous large Italian/US heirloom. However, when it was introduced to the Russian tomato community, the name was awkwardly auto-translated as “Rabochiy Vypusk Pasty” (which translates back literally as “Industrial Production of Macaroni”). The bizarre name caused a lot of … 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 Pink Siberian Tiger 🌍 Origin: A famous anthocyanin variety that has become an absolute superstar in the Russian tomato community (where it is known as “Rozovyi Sibirskiy Tigr”). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, though some growers note it acts more like a semi-determinate, reaching about 1.5 – 2 meters (5 – 6.5 ft) … Read more
Quick Summary of Raiskie Svechi (Paradise Candles) 🌍 Origin: A beautiful variety popularized by Ukrainian breeder Alexey Kulik. The name translates to “Paradise Candles”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Determinate, early season. It grows up to about 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall. A key characteristic is its extremely delicate, drooping, and “wispy” foliage. It is highly shade-tolerant—many … Read more
Quick Summary of Andine Cornue Orange (Rog And Oranzhevyi) 🌍 Origin: An orange variant of the famous Andean/French heirloom (Cornue des Andes). In the Russian tomato community, it is affectionately known as “Rog And Oranzhevyi” (Horn of the Andes Orange) or “Andean Horned Orange”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), vigorous, and highly productive. Performs exceptionally … Read more
Quick Summary of Priz Ispytaniy (Prize of the Trials) 🌍 Origin: A fantastic Russian variety. The name translates to “Prize of the Trials”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), mid-season variety. Typically grows to about 1.6–1.8 meters (5.2–6 ft). It is highly reliable and sets fruit perfectly without dropping blossoms (no blossom drop). It may take … Read more
Quick Summary of Purpurny from China (Purple from China) 🌍 Origin: An heirloom variety originating from China, circulating in the Russian seed-saving community under the name “Purpurny iz Podnebesnoy” (Purple from the Celestial Empire / Purple from China). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but relatively compact and manageable. When grown in a greenhouse and pruned to … Read more
Quick Summary of Podarok Muzha (Husband’s Gift) 🌍 Origin: An old, highly productive collectible heirloom variety from Siberia. The name translates to “Husband’s Gift”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall) and very vigorous. It produces such heavy loads of fruit that it requires extra-strong staking and support, even when grown outdoors in partial shade. 🍅 Fruit … Read more
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Quick Summary of Pomodoro del Nonno di Eupilio 🌍 Origin: A wonderful Italian heirloom whose name translates to “Grandpa Eupilio’s Tomato”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, mid-late season variety. Performs exceptionally well and produces heavy yields when grown in a greenhouse. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Distinctive red “pouch” or ribbed pear-like shape. The fruits are large and … Read more
Quick Summary of Paris 🌍 Origin: A beautiful and highly productive dark beefsteak variety known simply as “Paris”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate, but relatively manageable in height. Growers report it reaching about 1.4 meters (~4.5 ft) in a greenhouse. The bush is strong and sturdy. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Produces large, dark/brown beefsteak tomatoes weighing 200-400g … Read more
Quick Summary of PPI Note: This variety is frequently grown and compared alongside its “sister” variety, OPO. 🌍 Origin & Type: A rare variety from the USA. It is classified as a “Dwarf”, but behaves more like a semi-determinate or a compact indeterminate (tree-type). In a greenhouse, it easily reaches heights of 5 – 5.5 … Read more