{"id":584,"date":"2026-08-22T13:42:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T13:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/?p=584"},"modified":"2026-08-22T13:42:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T13:42:10","slug":"black-icicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/black-icicle\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Icicle (Chornaya Sosulka) Tomato Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-top\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;584&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Black Icicle (Chornaya Sosulka) Tomato Review&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Rate this<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h2>Quick Summary of Black Icicle (Russian: \u0421\u043e\u0441\u0443\u043b\u044c\u043a\u0430 \u0447\u0451\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83c\udf0d <strong>Origin:<\/strong> A very popular commercial heirloom variety originating from Ukraine\/Russia, known natively as &#8220;Chornaya Sosulka&#8221;. It has gained worldwide fame among collectors as &#8220;Black Icicle&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>\ud83c\udf3f <strong>Plant Habit:<\/strong> Indeterminate, tall, and highly productive. It easily reaches up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) in a greenhouse. Like many dark\/purple varieties, the foliage can sometimes look a bit wispy or delicate (the &#8220;weeping&#8221; habit), but the plant is incredibly resilient.<\/li>\n<li>\ud83c\udf45 <strong>Fruit Characteristics:<\/strong> Beautiful, elongated finger or &#8220;icicle&#8221; shape. The tomatoes are smooth, uniform, and have a rich mahogany\/brown\/purple color. They average about 70-100g (2.5-3.5 oz) each. They are very dense and highly resistant to cracking.<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udc45 <strong>Flavor:<\/strong> Renowned for an exceptionally sweet and rich flavor typical of the best dark tomatoes.<\/li>\n<li>\u23f3 <strong>Culinary Use:<\/strong> While great fresh in salads, this variety is considered an absolute masterpiece for whole-fruit canning. Its dense flesh holds up perfectly in jars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Danko (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (10,117 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Black Icicle description in the catalog on the old forum:<\/p>\n<p><strong>BLACK ICICLE.<\/strong><br \/>\nMid-season, high-yielding variety. The plant reaches a height of up to 2m (6.5 ft). The fruits are very beautiful and, moreover, of magnificent quality: an elegant finger shape, smooth and uniform in size, dense (they do not crack), with a brown coloring and a weight of about 100g (3.5 oz).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments\/53813_9d7e40f4719ea13e595e8ad760c26fb1a5d7b4ac.jpg\" alt=\"Black Icicle tomato plant loaded with dark fruits\" width=\"675\" height=\"900\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments\/53815_3098c132e7a9bfa4c25866574f01ed3f5fcda6d9.jpg\" alt=\"Perfectly uniform Black Icicle tomatoes on the vine\" width=\"675\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetlyachok-plus (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,450 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Len, how is the taste?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Danko (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (10,117 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Svetlyachok-plus:<\/strong><br \/>\nLen, how is the taste?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The taste is sooo good! It is suitable for both salads and pickling\/canning \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\udc4d! I will always grow it! In 2014, I want to plant a few bushes of this variety and Purple Russian; they are very good in taste and not late-season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Elfia (Alya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,609 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Perm Krai (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Danko:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe taste is sooo good! It is suitable for both salads and pickling\/canning \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\udc4d! I will always grow it!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Lenochka, don&#8217;t tease. The mantra &#8220;I don&#8217;t need anything else&#8221; isn&#8217;t helping.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Danko (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (10,117 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Elfia:<\/strong><br \/>\nLenochka, don&#8217;t tease. The mantra &#8220;I don&#8217;t need anything else&#8221; isn&#8217;t helping.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Elfia, this is truly a worthwhile variety! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">G<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Galina P. <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Chekhov, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lenuska, I couldn&#8217;t resist either. \ud83d\ude29 I held myself back for half a day so I wouldn&#8217;t type out my wish list. But now I broke. \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Elfia (Alya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,609 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Perm Krai (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Galina P.:<\/strong><br \/>\nLenuska, I couldn&#8217;t resist either. \ud83d\ude29 I held myself back for half a day so I wouldn&#8217;t type out my wish list. But now I broke. \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Galechka. I&#8217;m the one who led you astray \ud83d\ude09\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">G<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Galina P. <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Chekhov, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Elfia:<\/strong><br \/>\nGalechka. I&#8217;m the one who led you astray \ud83d\ude09\ud83d\ude09<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It&#8217;s Black Icicle&#8217;s fault! \ud83d\ude02 Why does it have to be so tasty and productive? \ud83d\ude1b<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tomatanya (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Moderator (10,243 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Leningrad Region \/ St. Petersburg (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This is what my Black Icicle looked like, seeds from Y. Kholyavko.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments\/58448_eb1ff5fc98a9fec7edf773d57389378fa4017e50.jpg\" alt=\"Huge clusters of Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments\/58450_9450d2278464645bf467e45f56c31151a86a00cd.jpg\" alt=\"Garland of dark paste tomatoes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">G<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Galina P. <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Chekhov, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Wow! A tomato garland!!! \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s it! I can&#8217;t take it anymore! I&#8217;m drooling right now! \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">V<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Verunya (Vera) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,332 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Tell me, is it good for canning?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I recommend Black Icicle to everyone, and in canning, this little tomato is simply a miracle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lyudasik (Lyudmila) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (11,406 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Mozhaysk, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lidochka, I will definitely try it next season, I am so glad that I received it as a gift from you! Thank you! \ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">o-lya-lya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (9,962 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Northeast of Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Girls, please clarify for me, what is the actual height of Black Icicle? Lenochka Danko writes that it is 2m (6.5 ft), but I looked at Lidushka&#8217;s and it&#8217;s up to 1m (3.3 ft). Does the height depend on whether it&#8217;s in a greenhouse or open ground? Where will it do better?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tomatanya (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Moderator (10,243 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Leningrad Region \/ St. Petersburg (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Olya, probably yes, it depends on the planting location. In my greenhouse, it would easily grow over 2m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Danko (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (10,117 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Tomatanya:<\/strong><br \/>\nOlya, probably yes, it depends on the planting location. In my greenhouse, it would easily grow over 2m.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>And for me in the open ground outdoors (though in warm raised beds), it was about 1.6m (5.2 ft), similar to Purple Russian. But the official description says up to 2m. Apparently, this tomato feels great everywhere! Super variety!!! \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>In the greenhouse, this variety will be tall, just like all indeterminate varieties. In the open ground, it will be about half as tall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Drosera (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (5,413 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Yekaterinburg, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Everyone is praising Black Icicle to the skies \ud83e\udd2b, but I wouldn&#8217;t say it&#8217;s incredibly tasty, maybe a solid 4 out of 5. \ud83e\udd2b<\/p>\n<p>Yes, in the greenhouse the plants are tall, above 1.7-1.8 m (5.5-6 ft). I grew 2 plants, absolutely identical, except on one I got icicles, and on the other, I got black spheres (off-type cross) \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments01\/60668_bbf0bf8d21825994a275c166681859576480c432.jpg\" alt=\"Black Icicle normal vs round off type\" width=\"581\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Svetlana, tastes differ. For me, for canning purposes, it&#8217;s the tastiest \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Z<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Zulfiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (15,967 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ufa, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Sveta, they need more sun, just like all dark\/black varieties. In the thread about black tomatoes, could you list the varieties that you found tastier? That info would be very useful for many people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Y<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Yulita <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (224 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>My Black Icicle turned out a little bit different in shape, but my mom&#8217;s verdict was: we are definitely planting it next year, it&#8217;s absolutely perfect for pickling\/canning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">V<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">vasilevna <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,346 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Are you guys crazy, posting photos like this? \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n<p>I still don&#8217;t want it \ud83d\ude29 \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02 (joking)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This is in addition to my favorite variety.<\/p>\n<p>These are the tomatoes in the open ground outdoors:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/7\/27-300114134138.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle outdoors loaded with fruit\" width=\"434\" height=\"760\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And here are the tomatoes canned:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/7\/27-300114134109.jpeg\" alt=\"Jars of canned Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"1000\" height=\"679\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/7\/27-300114134047.jpeg\" alt=\"Canned dark tomatoes on a plate\" width=\"1000\" height=\"625\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The round one is &#8220;Mikado Chernyi&#8221; (Black Mikado). With skin, without skin, and sliced open. \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/7\/27-300114134019.jpeg\" alt=\"Mikado Chernyi and Black Icicle\" width=\"1000\" height=\"661\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">G<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">galia (Galina) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (4,914 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Tula (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lidush, as the kids say these days\u2014I&#8217;m under the table! Along with the fainting mouse (I&#8217;m stunned). If only I could grow a bush like that just once&#8230; Dreams, dreams&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Galochka, you shouldn&#8217;t have any problems with it. Mine grew outdoors in the open ground, and I wouldn&#8217;t even say it was the best spot. Everything will work out great for you \ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf38<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">olgia65 (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,367 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ulyanovsk Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lidaaa!!! This is insane! Gorgeous, I have no words, what an incredible bush \ud83d\udc4d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Dosya (Lyubov) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (421 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Oh, how wonderful. What a cool little tomato. I&#8217;m going to plant it instead of Chernyi Mavr (Black Moor), which I also really liked for canning. \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">o-lya-lya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (9,962 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Northeast of Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lida, this is mind-blowing. Please tell me, when did you sow the seeds for seedlings? \ud83d\ude42 I can&#8217;t even, what a gorgeous bush. \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/s5.rimg.info\/fc0b05812dc6528bf2fb94f23c9f690e.gif\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s5.rimg.info\/fc0b05812dc6528bf2fb94f23c9f690e.gif\" alt=\"Emoji fainting\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Olyushka, I just ran and checked my notes. I sowed them on March 5th.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">o-lya-lya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (9,962 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Northeast of Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lidochka, thank you so much! \ud83c\udf38 I can&#8217;t wait to sow it, I plan to put it in both the greenhouse and outdoors, although my seeds are still in the mail. \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Semechka <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (23,537 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Krasnoyarsk Suburbs, Siberia (USDA Zone 2)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Aaah, Lidiya, gorgeous bush and gorgeous photos, it made me so hungry I just went and got a jar of marinated tomatoes and I&#8217;m crunching on them in front of the monitor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetikk <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (29,344 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Moscow Region (South) \/ Stupino District (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I loooved the variety!!! \ud83d\ude0d \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p>Grew it in the greenhouse in 2 stems. Yield is great, fruited up to the very last moment right under the greenhouse roof. The fruits are perfectly uniform, 70-120g (2.5-4 oz), moderately dense, very tasty \ud83d\ude0b, with noticeable sweetness, and perfect for canning jars too. If it weren&#8217;t for my addiction to trying new and unknown varieties, I would plant it every single year. \ud83d\ude48<\/p>\n<p>In the photo on the tray, you can compare it with other dark varieties\u2014Purple Russian and Black Pepper (Chernyi Pertsevidnyi).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/30\/166-120814135554.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/30\/thumb_166-120814135554.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle compared to Purple Russian\" width=\"120\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/30\/166-120814135417.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/30\/thumb_166-120814135417.jpeg\" alt=\"Dark paste tomatoes on a tray\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/27\/166-270714034736.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/27\/thumb_166-270714034736.jpeg\" alt=\"Beautiful dark Black Icicle fruits\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">J<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Jynx (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Beginner (8 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I fell in love with it \ud83d\ude0a at first sight. And I just received a packet of seeds from V. Redko&#8217;s collection \ud83c\udf89\ud83c\udf89\ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">N<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Natashkinnn (Natalia) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (235 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Super variety! \ud83d\udc4d<br \/>\nGrowing it for two years now and plan to keep doing so.<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s productive, beautiful, tasty, and a miracle for canning!!!! \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Anela (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,216 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Kazan, Tatarstan (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>How does it look as a seedling? Mine is flimsy, just like my Cream Sausage variety \ud83d\ude1e Is it supposed to be like that?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetikk <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (29,344 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Moscow Region (South) \/ Stupino District (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Anela:<\/strong><br \/>\nHow does it look as a seedling? Mine is flimsy, just like my Cream Sausage variety \ud83d\ude1e Is it supposed to be like that?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The bush structure for these varieties is &#8220;graceful\/wispy&#8221; (weeping habit). But not so much that you should be upset about it.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone&#8217;s definition of &#8220;flimsy&#8221; is different, so it&#8217;s better to show a photo in the seedling thread and tell us about your growing conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">alvlad (Alexander) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (467 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Svetikk:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe bush structure for these varieties is &#8220;graceful\/wispy&#8221; (weeping habit). But not so much that you should be upset about it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Here are Black Icicle seedlings. Age is 20 days from sprouting. Pot diameter is 13cm (5 inches). The lighter is 6cm (2.4 in). The seedlings are a bit flimsy compared to other varieties, but nothing compared to how pathetically flimsy Purple Russian seedlings look.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/61\/12807-150415103808.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle seedlings\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/61\/12807-150415103721.jpeg\" alt=\"Seedlings compared for size\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">alvlad (Alexander) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (467 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>The two icicles are in the foreground. The third and fourth true leaves are already coming out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">alvlad (Alexander) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (467 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I want to sing praises to this wonderful little tomato!!!! \ud83d\udcdd\ud83c\udf89 High yielding, incredibly delicious, it kept setting fruit until the frost!!! Tastier than Purple Russian.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">M<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Matilda (Larisa) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,431 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Odessa, Ukraine (USDA Zone 7)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I join all the enthusiastic reviews. I will add from myself that it is incredibly good canned &#8220;under snow&#8221; (a popular Russian canning recipe using lots of grated garlic on top of the tomatoes). Already eaten \ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n<p>Here is what it looked like in the open ground.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/96\/13182-221015085332.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle growing in open ground\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/96\/13182-221015090048.jpeg\" alt=\"Heavy fruit set on Black Icicle\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">ElenaPr (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,433 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>My Black Icicle turned out like this. The bush is soooo flimsy (wispy foliage), you could barely even see any leaves on it. The bush grew in the greenhouse, pruned to 2 stems. It kept setting little tomatoes until the very end, until I ripped the bush out at the end of September. I loved the taste. I haven&#8217;t tried it pickled yet, but the skin didn&#8217;t crack during canning.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/82\/13195-090815135506.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/82\/thumb_13195-090815135506.jpeg\" alt=\"Wispy foliage on Black Icicle plant\" width=\"120\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">deliza (Lyubov) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,081 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I also liked Black Icicle very much. Seeds were from A. Kulik. One bush grew in the greenhouse \u2014 it suffered terribly from Blossom End Rot (BER) \u2014 and 3 bushes were outdoors in the open ground. In the greenhouse it was about 2 m (6.5 ft), outdoors about 1.80 m (6 ft).<\/p>\n<p>The yield outdoors was extremely good. Very tasty and beautiful! It kept setting fruit completely ignoring the 40\u00b0C (104\u00b0F) heat. A good variety.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/81\/13629-080815111049.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/81\/thumb_13629-080815111049.jpeg\" alt=\"Beautiful dark Black Icicle fruits\" width=\"160\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetlyachok-plus (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,450 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Awesome variety \ud83d\udc4d. Yield is excellent. Mine didn&#8217;t suffer from Blossom End Rot (BER) at all. After a month and a half of storage indoors, it looks a bit shriveled, but the deliciousness hasn&#8217;t faded at all \ud83d\ude0b.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/95\/757-181015073744.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/95\/thumb_757-181015073744.jpeg\" alt=\"Shriveled but tasty stored Black Icicle\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">deliza (Lyubov) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,081 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Svetlyachok-plus:<\/strong><br \/>\nAwesome variety \ud83d\udc4d. Yield is excellent. Mine didn&#8217;t suffer from Blossom End Rot (BER) at all&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Sveta, for me all the icicle\/paste types and just a few others got BER. I did a foliar spray with calcium nitrate twice \u2014 it didn&#8217;t help. \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2640\ufe0f It was my first time growing in a greenhouse. I must be doing something wrong.. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Dzhina (Evgeniya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,798 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lyuba, my Icicle was in the greenhouse too. It was the only one out of all the paste\/icicle types this year that was horribly affected by Blossom End Rot. Treatments with calcium nitrate and dolomite didn&#8217;t help.<\/p>\n<p>But overall, I really liked the variety: tasty, beautiful tomatoes, a delight both fresh and in canned jars. It&#8217;s a manageable little tomato plant, doesn&#8217;t push out too many aggressive suckers, stays slim and beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetlyachok-plus (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,450 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>deliza:<\/strong><br \/>\nSveta, for me all the icicle\/paste types and just a few others got BER. I did a foliar spray with calcium nitrate twice \u2014 it didn&#8217;t help&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Lyubochka, FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW, WHEN POTTING UP SEEDLINGS INTO CUPS, I PUT CRUSHED EGGSHELLS AT THE BOTTOM. And consequently, we carefully transfer them into the planting hole with the shells. Even though people say it&#8217;s nonsense (that the calcium isn&#8217;t bio-available fast enough), the results speak for themselves \ud83d\ude09. I have practically zero Blossom End Rot. Maybe across all my bushes I get 10 affected fruits max, and that&#8217;s it. I think the game is completely worth the candle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">elena77 <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,595 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This is the Black Icicle that grew for me from &#8220;Happy Garden&#8221; commercial seeds. On the edges is Slavyanka, and in the middle is Black Icicle \ud83d\ude02. It&#8217;s obviously an off-type (crossed\/incorrect seeds, they grew round), but I still liked it \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments01\/63481_36d229b5392a0c794fb9d83ab71f59c411d8dfef.jpg\" alt=\"Off type round Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Z<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Zolushka (Olya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Forum Organizer (12,747 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Mytishchi, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>From Redko&#8217;s collection \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/103\/13417-251215032805.jpeg\" alt=\"Zolushka's Black Icicle\" width=\"567\" height=\"378\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">OksanaV (Oksana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Beginner (28 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Girls, tell me, which commercial brand is best to buy Black Icicle from? I&#8217;ve read all your reviews and now I want it too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetlyachok-plus (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,450 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Oksan, we all just mail seeds of this variety to each other here. Drop me your address in a private message, I&#8217;ll send you some \ud83d\ude09.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tatiiyasha (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (700 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Girls, does it matter how many stems to prune this variety to?<\/p>\n<p>I will be planting 2 bushes in the greenhouse for the first time \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Tatiiyasha:<\/strong><br \/>\nGirls, does it matter how many stems to prune this variety to?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It is my absolute favorite variety, Black Icicle \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\ude0b, and for canning, it is one of the very best \ud83d\udc4d. You can easily prune it to 3-4 stems, just don&#8217;t forget to feed\/fertilize it properly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Z<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Zulfiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (15,967 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ufa, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Tanya, up there in Karelia (North), you should start with just 2 stems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Ira <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,254 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Tanya, I will support Zulfiya on this. For the first time (in a cold climate), it&#8217;s better to stick to two stems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>You are simply losing yield by doing that, that&#8217;s all. (Link to catalog entry)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Z<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Zulfiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (15,967 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ufa, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lidochka, we are so grateful to you for spreading this variety! But please compare the climate conditions at the end of summer in recent years in your area versus other regions (Northern Leningrad region, Urals&#8230;) before insisting.<\/p>\n<p>You can increase the yield by feeding heavily, but we want to harvest sweet RIPE tomatoes, not a massive amount of GREEN ones. Of course, we feed with ash and potassium-magnesium, but fertilizers cannot completely replace the sun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Ira <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,254 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Lidiya:<\/strong><br \/>\nYou are simply losing yield by doing that, that&#8217;s all.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Lida, I think you shouldn&#8217;t be so categorical when giving advice to gardeners in more northern regions. Have you considered that Moscow is located at the 55th parallel north, while St. Petersburg is at the 59th parallel north (for comparison, Magadan in the far east is also at the 59th parallel), and the Karelian Isthmus is even further north? I doubt Tatiana needs a ton of purely green Black Icicles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Zulfiya:<\/strong><br \/>\nLidochka&#8230; compare the climate conditions&#8230; before insisting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Zulenka, God forbid I was insisting on anything \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lidiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (16,152 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Ira:<\/strong><br \/>\nI doubt Tatiana needs a ton of purely green Black Icicles.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Irisha, I read that Tanya is planting 2 bushes in a GREENHOUSE, not outdoors, which is what I was basing my advice on. I am in the Moscow region, and my link was to my icicle growing OUTDOORS, look carefully at the bush. I was merely sharing my own experience. In a greenhouse, you won&#8217;t end up with a ton of green black icicles if you top the plant (remove the growing tip) in time. Once again, I am not insisting, nor am I as categorical as it seemed to you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Z<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Zulfiya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (15,967 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ufa, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I grew it under row covers, planted it in a trench &#8220;sitting down&#8221; (horizontally), gradually adding soil as it grew. The main stem set 6 clusters, and I even had to put a little wooden plank under the long bottom cluster. On the second stem, there was a large distance to the first cluster, and it only managed to set 3 clusters before the season ended. Overall, I am happy with the yield.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">D<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Drosera (Svetlana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (5,413 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Yekaterinburg, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I moved the last few messages to the &#8220;How to accelerate tomato ripening&#8221; thread (since they were no longer about Black Icicle at all).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tatiiyasha (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (700 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Girls, thank you all! \ud83c\udf38<\/p>\n<p>Lida, when I look at your photos of the icicle from January 22, 2014, I drool \u2014 it&#8217;s photographed so deliciously! \ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n<p>Zulya, I&#8217;m not exactly in Karelia \u2014 I&#8217;m in the north of the Leningrad region. The nature is beautiful here, but the warmth arrives very late. \ud83d\ude1e<\/p>\n<p>Ira, my friend&#8217;s parents live in the Volosovo district. The exact same varieties ripen 2-2.5 weeks earlier for them! \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n<p>I understand that dark\/black varieties need more heat. But I will definitely try.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Loshadka <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,112 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Kostroma, Latitude 57\u00b045\u2019 (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I planted this variety both in the greenhouse and in the open ground. In our climate, the outdoor bush lags far behind; it has only set its third cluster, and the first one still has a long way to grow.<\/p>\n<p>In the greenhouse, the fifth and sixth clusters have already set:<\/p>\n<p>I wonder how they will taste \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2640\ufe0f They haven&#8217;t started ripening yet.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/131\/15982-130716162505.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/131\/thumb_15982-130716162505.jpeg\" alt=\"Green Black Icicle tomatoes growing in greenhouse\" width=\"95\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/131\/15982-130716162540.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/131\/thumb_15982-130716162540.jpeg\" alt=\"Another green cluster of Black Icicle\" width=\"100\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Aglaya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,132 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This year, Black Icicle is my absolute favorite for taste. Not a single fruit will survive to be canned \u2014 my child eats only this variety. He&#8217;s a picky eater and loves juicy sweet-and-sour tomatoes.<\/p>\n<p>I only planted 2 bushes in the open ground. They caught Blossom End Rot, but we quickly dealt with the problem. Productive, I&#8217;m pruning them to 3 stems. Sets fruit very well.<\/p>\n<p>And once again, it is very, very tasty. A favorite!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">M<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">mopsdad1 (Mikhail) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,123 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Stary Oskol (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>My wife said \u2014 very tasty. I barely managed to snatch one away from her to save seeds. But for me, both in the greenhouse and outdoors, it wasn&#8217;t very productive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Loshadka <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,112 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Kostroma, Latitude 57\u00b045\u2019 (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>PS:<br \/>\nWe are eating the Icicle now, it&#8217;s pretty good, nicely sweet \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Very productive, it set the last 10th-12th clusters almost without skipping any blossoms.<\/p>\n<p>Photo from right under the roof:<br \/>\nGeneral view: (together with some oxhearts)<br \/>\nI will definitely grow it next year, but only in the greenhouse.<\/p>\n<p>PPS: No Blossom End Rot, I actually had zero BER this year overall. I pruned all plants to 3-3.5 stems.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/137\/15982-040816131008.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/137\/thumb_15982-040816131008.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle reaching greenhouse roof\" width=\"160\" height=\"139\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/137\/15982-040816131304.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/137\/thumb_15982-040816131304.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle hanging down from high branches\" width=\"78\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">R<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Rodebielesumer (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,832 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Corner of Germany\/Luxembourg\/France (USDA Zone 8)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I&#8217;m posting a photo of a freshly sliced tomato; my granddaughter made so many slices while my relatives and I were picking bird cherries. The tomato was a single fruit from a megabloom (fused blossom), a massive thing, July 17th. This variety took 6th-7th place for earliness for us (we tasted Mary Robinson on the exact same day). A nice tang, sweetness, it has everything.<\/p>\n<p>And even now, thicker icicles are still appearing in the clusters, though none quite like that first giant icicle, August 18th.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/138\/2212-080816065811.jpeg\" alt=\"Huge megabloom Black Icicle sliced\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/142\/2212-250816084255.jpeg\" alt=\"Thicker Black Icicle tomatoes later in season\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">elena0508 (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,578 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>How lovely! \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tatiiyasha (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (700 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Rodebielesumer:<\/strong><br \/>\nI&#8217;m posting a photo of a freshly sliced tomato&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Looks so appetizing!<\/p>\n<p>Mine is still hanging in the greenhouse. I haven&#8217;t harvested any from it yet \u2014 it still hasn&#8217;t gained its proper color because of our damp, dismal summer \ud83d\ude1e<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">K<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Krasnaya Shapka (Alena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (719 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Valday, Novgorod Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Last year I had seeds from Kulik \u2014 it grew plum-shaped. I thought it was an off-type, but nope! This season I grew it from TUSYA (Natalia, Smolensk) \u2014 the exact same shape, but larger. A huge thank you to her for the seeds!<\/p>\n<p>An excellent variety, both bushes were sitting in a somewhat shady spot, and started filling out around August 10th, all together. Pruned to 2 stems. As of today, there are still a couple of green clusters left. Dense flesh, doesn&#8217;t crack.<\/p>\n<p>The only pity is that it looks more like a large plum with a pulled-out nose; I thought it would be longer and pointier. I think my icicle&#8217;s lineage also goes back to Lidushka \ud83d\ude09 Thank you!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/143\/11062-020916031236.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/143\/thumb_11062-020916031236.jpeg\" alt=\"Plum shaped Black Icicle variation\" width=\"160\" height=\"106\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/143\/11062-020916030939.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/143\/thumb_11062-020916030939.jpeg\" alt=\"Dark plum shaped paste tomato\" width=\"160\" height=\"106\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Larisa494 (Larisa) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Beginner (1 post)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Aglaya:<\/strong><br \/>\nThey caught Blossom End Rot, but we quickly dealt with the problem.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Good afternoon! Could you please tell me how you deal with Blossom End Rot?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">K<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Krasnaya Shapka (Alena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (719 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Valday, Novgorod Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Larisa494:<\/strong><br \/>\nGood afternoon! Could you please tell me how you deal with Blossom End Rot?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Even though the question wasn&#8217;t for me, I&#8217;ll try to answer briefly.<\/p>\n<p>The essence of rotting at the blossom end of fruits is:<br \/>\n1. Insufficient amount of Ca (Calcium) in the plant&#8217;s nutrition.<br \/>\n2. Inability to deliver Calcium to the very end of the fruits (usually due to watering issues).<\/p>\n<p>There are several solutions, but you have to assess your specific situation. You can simply increase watering consistency, or use mineral fertilizers as foliar sprays. Fertilizers are applied in advance during planting, or you spray starting from the end of May, 2-3 times with a 1-2 week interval, for example, with a solution of calcium nitrate.<\/p>\n<p>Since we are in this thread, I&#8217;ll add more about Black Icicle. Yesterday I took down the last clusters, they managed to turn brown! In the greenhouse, it&#8217;s +20C (68F) during the day, outside it&#8217;s been +7 to +10C (45-50F) for a week, sometimes freezing at night. \ud83d\udc4d That&#8217;s a very healthy, resilient tomato!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Elena 62 (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I only had one bush of Black Icicle, and I pruned it to a single stem, which I deeply regret. I really didn&#8217;t expect this. Delicious treat \ud83d\ude0b, out of three dark varieties \u2014 it&#8217;s the absolute favorite! My kids ordered no fewer than 10 bushes of it for next year, but I&#8217;ll probably plant about 4 \u2014 I just don&#8217;t have the space for more.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow Petersburgers: will it pull off 3 stems here? I have a polycarbonate greenhouse. \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/151\/17239-281016071338.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/151\/thumb_17239-281016071338.jpeg\" alt=\"Beautiful dark Black Icicle in hand\" width=\"89\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/151\/17239-281016071114.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/151\/thumb_17239-281016071114.jpeg\" alt=\"Close up of Black Icicle tomato\" width=\"160\" height=\"89\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Aglaya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,132 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Elena 62:<\/strong><br \/>\nPetersburgers: will it pull off 3 stems here? I have a polycarbonate greenhouse. \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I planted Black Icicle OUTDOORS in the Moscow region. I planted 2 roots in one hole + each root was pruned to 2 stems. So that&#8217;s 4 stems coming out of a single planting hole. And even then, I regretted not leaving more suckers on it. It pulls the load perfectly.<\/p>\n<p>Also, I had another root sitting completely alone, pruned to 3 stems, and it felt excellent. And yes, I join your enthusiastic review \u2014 a tremendously delicious tomato.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">C<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">cat2008 (Oksana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (5,827 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Orsha, Belarus (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I grew it in the open ground outdoors..<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/140\/12397-170816143128.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle harvest outdoors\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">ElenaL (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Beginner (20 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/159\/16681-050117151317.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/159\/thumb_16681-050117151317.jpeg\" alt=\"Elena's Black Icicle\" width=\"160\" height=\"106\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">ilja (Ilya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Klin, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I really liked Black Icicle. Grew in the greenhouse. It reached up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) in height. The yield was excellent. It set fruit without skipping clusters almost right up until the frosts.<\/p>\n<p>The fruits are very tasty, sweet, and meaty. They store reasonably well and are great for canning.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments01\/65092_504b0744b899eb12494d2887bbe33bc8899e0e44.jpg\" alt=\"Ilya's Black Icicle harvest\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/attachments01\/65094_c29a702896207d8ff91ae8cea5d5585015284e9d.jpg\" alt=\"Ilya's dark tomatoes\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Loshadka <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,112 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Kostroma, Latitude 57\u00b045\u2019 (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>At the end of summer, my Black Icicle bushes started throwing out huge double clusters with a multitude of flowers, almost all of which set fruit. The tomatoes on them were up to 90g (3.2 oz), averaging about 70g (2.5 oz). All three bushes behaved identically.<\/p>\n<p>At the beginning of the season, the clusters were simple, and the tomatoes were quite large \u2014 up to 150g (5.3 oz). The tomatoes from the final clusters were very convenient for winter prep: canning in their own juice, marinating, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Photo, early September: this double cluster is already half-picked \ud83c\udfa9<br \/>\nIt grew to 2+ meters, and I pulled it out of the greenhouse in mid-September, still picking green ones to ripen indoors. The variety proved to be quite resistant to temperature swings, high heat, and diseases.<\/p>\n<p>There were no off-types leaning towards round or plum shapes. Seeds were from Batatoviye Kushchi, highly recommend.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/160\/15982-200117104946.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/160\/thumb_15982-200117104946.jpeg\" alt=\"Late season double cluster of Black Icicle\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Olvia (Olya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,829 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Loshadka:<\/strong><br \/>\nI pulled it out of the greenhouse in mid-September, still picking green ones to ripen indoors&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You are the only one who mentioned ripening this variety off the vine indoors. How did it turn out? How long did they last in storage, and how was the taste?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Elena 62 (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Olvia:<\/strong><br \/>\nHow did it turn out? How long did they last in storage, and how was the taste?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Olya, my last ones ripened indoors, and they didn&#8217;t lose their flavor one bit, just as tasty. But they didn&#8217;t last long, because we were eagerly waiting for them to ripen to eat them! \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Olvia (Olya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,829 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Elena 62:<\/strong><br \/>\nMy last ones ripened indoors, and they didn&#8217;t lose their flavor one bit, just as tasty.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Lenochka, thank you, that means I will keep it in mind. We really enjoyed finishing off our tomatoes at home in late autumn, so I want to plant more varieties like this that can store well without losing much flavor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">E<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">evgeniy (Evgeniy) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Beginner (77 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Caught a tiny bit of Blossom End Rot, I sprayed with calcium nitrate. It&#8217;s growing outdoors in the open ground, already over 2 meters (6.5 ft) tall, setting fruit without skips. Pruning it to two stems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Ovechka (Lyudmila) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Forum Pioneer (13,966 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Russia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Just like Sveta, I ended up with &#8220;Black Non-Icicles&#8221; (with a distinct little nose). The seeds were sent to me in 2013, and I planted them in 2017. They look more like the De Barao variety.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/189\/66-220817043333.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/189\/thumb_66-220817043333.jpeg\" alt=\"Black non-icicle off type tomato\" width=\"160\" height=\"105\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">TatianaSh (Tatiana) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (5,469 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ramenskoye, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Lyudmila, that is definitely not an icicle; it is completely different in shape.<\/p>\n<p>But the true variety is mind-blowing! Very tasty!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">ivanovochka (Natalia) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (11,297 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ivanovo (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>My variety didn&#8217;t exactly grow into an icicle either. At first, I thought I mixed up my plant labels, but after reading this thread, I see it grows in different variations. Grown in the greenhouse, tall bush. I started it with 2 stems, but then it decided it wanted to grow in 3. This year isn&#8217;t indicative for me yield-wise, but I loved the little tomatoes, they are very tasty!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/191\/16635-080917105310.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/191\/thumb_16635-080917105310.jpeg\" alt=\"Off type Black Icicle\" width=\"160\" height=\"139\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">tomatinka (Vera) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (14,911 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Tyumen Region, Siberia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I decided I would plant the icicle this year, and then probably never again. I figured I would just keep Purple Russian since it yields better for me&#8230; And what do you think? This year, during a completely AUTUMNAL (cold) summer, growing outdoors in the open ground, it pushed out full, perfect clusters like they were made in a factory. I guess I&#8217;ll be growing both from now on. \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2640\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Irina_N (Irina) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,954 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This is it, this is my tomato! \ud83c\udf38 People sent me seeds labeled &#8220;Black Emperor&#8221;. But it turns out it was actually Black Icicle.<\/p>\n<p>Black Emperor is supposed to be a semi-determinate, 1.3 m (4.2 ft) tall. But my tomato was one of the first to hit the greenhouse ceiling, and I had to top it first.<\/p>\n<p>The fruits look identical (to the photos here). Very tasty little tomato \ud83d\ude0b absolutely exquisite. The only downside \u2014 the first cluster is very high off the ground. But that&#8217;s tolerable, given how massive the clusters are \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">P<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Pomidornaya zemlya (Mila) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (241 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Irina_N:<\/strong><br \/>\nPeople sent me seeds labeled &#8220;Black Emperor&#8221;. But it turns out it was actually Black Icicle&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I grew both Black Icicle and Black Emperor this year. Black Emperor started ripening much earlier, while the icicle was later. But Black Emperor is way too soft and much more watery than the icicle. I gave up on it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">P<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Pomidornaya zemlya (Mila) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Vegetable Expert (241 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Black Icicle is my absolute discovery of the year. In terms of yield, taste, and growth. It handled the intense Southern heat perfectly and didn&#8217;t suffer sunscald. It didn&#8217;t split from the heavy rains in the open ground either. I didn&#8217;t notice any nutritional imbalances. It is September now, and it&#8217;s still fruiting, staying just as juicy and tasty as it was in the summer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/20730-150917122445.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/thumb_20730-150917122445.jpeg\" alt=\"Perfect Black Icicle harvest\" width=\"116\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/20730-150917122514.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/thumb_20730-150917122514.jpeg\" alt=\"Beautiful dark paste tomatoes\" width=\"154\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/20730-150917122709.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/192\/thumb_20730-150917122709.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle tomatoes on scale\" width=\"107\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">R<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Rosinka (Natasha) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (5,105 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Kaluga Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>For some reason, my Black Icicle ended up growing in just a single stem. It produced very few suckers, and I missed the chance to leave one for a second stem. As a result, the total yield was 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs). It had very sparse foliage, and because it was only one stem, it grew incredibly tall. The bottom fruits were larger, the later ones smaller.<\/p>\n<p>The taste in summer didn&#8217;t amaze me; I realized I don&#8217;t really love dark tomatoes compared to other tasty varieties. BUT! It was a late bloomer for me, and the ones I picked green at the end of September went into indoor storage to ripen. And I just tasted them now. Yummy! They are so sweet, just super sweet\u2014some people might not even like it because it&#8217;s like eating sugar, but because of this taste, I will absolutely plant them again. The bottoms of some fruits shriveled a bit in storage, but that&#8217;s normal for all icicle types.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">sergomsk (Sergey) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,427 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Fadino, Omsk Region, Siberia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>During this prolonged, cold spring, Black Icicle was the absolute best out of all my seedlings. 2 are already blooming, waiting for tomatoes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">olyaka (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (20,114 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Tula Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Good afternoon! Here is my Black Icicle. Growing it for the first time, the bush ended up having 4 stems, but it seems it doesn&#8217;t mind at all. It sets fruit very well, very few skipped blossoms, already has 10 clusters. Visually it&#8217;s a beautiful, fairly sturdy plant. It&#8217;s a pity I only planted 1 seed, but after tasting it, I&#8217;ll make my conclusions for next season.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/226\/19052-080718040320.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/226\/thumb_19052-080718040320.jpeg\" alt=\"Healthy 4 stem Black Icicle plant\" width=\"120\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/226\/19052-080718040414.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/226\/thumb_19052-080718040414.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle green tomatoes forming\" width=\"120\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">sergomsk (Sergey) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,427 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Fadino, Omsk Region, Siberia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/229\/18689-210718124344.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/229\/18689-210718124344.jpeg\" alt=\"Siberian grown Black Icicle\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Aglaya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,132 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>This is my third year planting it. The yield from my own saved seeds increases every year. It easily pulls a load on 4 stems. Tasty, stores well. I don&#8217;t need any other icicle varieties besides this one. It makes the most delicious salad. I am going to plant 10 bushes of it next year (out of my total garden limit of 40 bushes).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">V<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Vedma (Marina) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (2,533 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>It really is a very, very good variety! Tasty, guaranteed to fruit heavily, abundant, and disease-resistant.<\/p>\n<p>Here it is in the company of Black Pepper (Pertsevidnyi Chernyi) and Black Sack (Chernyi Mesochek).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/237\/159-260818171649.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/237\/thumb_159-260818171649.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle compared to other dark paste tomatoes\" width=\"120\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">T<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Tatiana Senchukova <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Member (542 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Velsky District (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Olya-Aglaya, please tell me, does it crack for you? I grew 1 bush this year, and EVERY single tomato cracked. Even when they just start to blush, there&#8217;s already a crack ((( I didn&#8217;t get to taste a single intact one, they ripen and immediately rot ((<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">A<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Aglaya (Olga) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,132 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<blockquote><p><strong>Tatiana Senchukova:<\/strong><br \/>\nOlya-Aglaya, please tell me, does it crack for you?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Tanya, not once has a single tomato cracked on my Black Icicle. Do you want me to send you my seeds? Message me privately if you need them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">O<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Olvia (Olya) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (1,829 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Unknown<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>A very good variety, perfectly reliable for the Middle Zone (Central Russia). Abundant, sets fruit in the heat without skipping a beat all the way to the top of the greenhouse. The fruits are a beautiful brownish-orange or terracotta color, quite dense, and tasty. They do not crack at all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">Y<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Yulya <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (26,992 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Alexandrov, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I read so many rave reviews about it. I waited impatiently for it to ripen. But for me, it turned out with the most ordinary taste and average yield. It is very good for sun-drying\/dehydrating, though.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/22591-120918005346.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/thumb_22591-120918005346.jpeg\" alt=\"Dehydrated Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"89\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/22591-120918005412.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/thumb_22591-120918005412.jpeg\" alt=\"Sun dried tomatoes ready for oil\" width=\"160\" height=\"89\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/22591-120918005434.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/240\/thumb_22591-120918005434.jpeg\" alt=\"Sun dried Black Icicle on drying rack\" width=\"160\" height=\"89\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">L<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Lisenok (Elena) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (13,984 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ryazan Region (USDA Zone 4\/5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/235\/67-120818084420.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/235\/67-120818084420.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Icicle fruits on scale\" width=\"800\" height=\"592\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/235\/67-120818084607.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/235\/67-120818084607.jpeg\" alt=\"Beautifully shaped dark paste tomatoes\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">I<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Inn@ (Inna) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (6,399 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Sverdlovsk Region, Urals (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>Last year I grew the &#8220;Non-Icicle&#8221; version. The one that is more rounded, looking more like a short plum. The yield was so-so, even though the seeds were from the Urals, meaning they were practically acclimatized for me.<\/p>\n<p>This year I grew the true, icicle-shaped Black Icicle. Seeds from Belarus from Elena (Stolin). Grew it in a polycarbonate greenhouse. I absolutely loved this one. Under my conditions, it turned out quite productive, mid-late season. I pruned it to two stems, but I think it should be grown with no fewer than four.<\/p>\n<p>Black Icicle in jars:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/19631-081018160516.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/thumb_19631-081018160516.jpeg\" alt=\"Jars of canned Black Icicle\" width=\"71\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/19631-081018160603.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/thumb_19631-081018160603.jpeg\" alt=\"Perfectly preserved dark tomatoes\" width=\"150\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/19631-081018160643.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/thumb_19631-081018160643.jpeg\" alt=\"Close up of canned whole tomatoes\" width=\"102\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/19631-081018160717.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/newforum\/galleries\/243\/thumb_19631-081018160717.jpeg\" alt=\"Canned Black Icicle tomatoes on plate\" width=\"160\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">S<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Svetikk <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (29,344 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Moscow Region (South) \/ Stupino District (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I repeated my dearly loved variety Black Icicle \ud83d\ude0d Among the dark-fruited pepper\/icicle shapes and plums, it stands in first place for the combination of taste, beauty, and yield (just like Black Heart from Borisovna does among the dark oxhearts).<\/p>\n<p>EVERYTHING about it is good! The variety is extremely popular. It&#8217;s no wonder the catalog already has 5 pages of reviews \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s sweet, weighs up to 100g (3.5 oz), and produced a whole massive basin of tomatoes from a single bush pruned to 3 stems in the greenhouse, despite terrible weather conditions. It set every single cluster right up to the ceiling without dropping any flowers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8496.JPG.418a5105d7d4c012f8eb2fb4be4b83b6.JPG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8496.thumb.JPG.d9757ab88faccca657c7d687421bf2cd.JPG\" alt=\"Massive basin filled with Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8486.JPG.fa4822b29d459bbf38b0938b396f3f07.JPG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8486.thumb.JPG.f2fb8b461f260db055bcf619036c6081.JPG\" alt=\"Black Icicle tomatoes hanging on plant\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8477.JPG.cfacbaeb1bbb3647b3a3a86867387f67.JPG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN8477.thumb.JPG.93c50ed9969efa6d0fbb595bba3e819f.JPG\" alt=\"Beautiful dark purple icicle shape tomatoes\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN3066.JPG.e677fa590037d9e50a3b9d0107d5251a.JPG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2020_09\/DSCN3066.thumb.JPG.3d7be66d02e64f600747762420b963f2.JPG\" alt=\"Cross section of Black Icicle\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">G<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">grawicapa (Pavel) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (3,579 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Ivanovo (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>I planted it for the first time (seeds from Ninulia).<\/p>\n<p>Sowed on March 20th, transplanted outdoors on May 21st.<br \/>\nThe variety performed very respectably \u2014 7.4 kg (16.3 lbs) total yield.<br \/>\nAverage weight 69g (2.4 oz), max 138g (4.8 oz).<\/p>\n<p>Almost all of mine went into marinades and pickling; eaten fresh, it&#8217;s still not the absolute best of the best.<\/p>\n<p>\/\/Forgot to add, they started ripening on August 3rd, but considering it was outdoors and I didn&#8217;t plant it out early, that&#8217;s perfectly acceptable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"forum-post\">\n<div class=\"author-header\">\n<div class=\"forum-avatar\">H<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-name\">Hrizantema57 (Lyudmila) <span class=\"author-stats\">\u2b50 Pro Grower (13,402 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-geo\">\ud83d\udccd Mozhaysk, Moscow Region (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<p>BLACK ICICLE. A wonderful variety: didn&#8217;t get sick, didn&#8217;t drop blossoms, excellent taste. Thanks Svetikk.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2023_01\/1432270692_.jpg.aa1366fd0c7eec88885ad2186e78554c.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/uploads\/monthly_2023_01\/88578021_.thumb.jpg.e9c8e0e002db9ccd9cd23d8bbb21498e.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful cluster of Black Icicle tomatoes\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick Summary of Black Icicle (Russian: \u0421\u043e\u0441\u0443\u043b\u044c\u043a\u0430 \u0447\u0451\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f) \ud83c\udf0d Origin: A very popular commercial heirloom variety originating from Ukraine\/Russia, known natively as &#8220;Chornaya Sosulka&#8221;. It has gained worldwide fame among collectors as &#8220;Black Icicle&#8221;. \ud83c\udf3f Plant Habit: Indeterminate, tall, and highly productive. It easily reaches up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) in a greenhouse. Like &#8230; <a title=\"Black Icicle (Chornaya Sosulka) Tomato Review\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/black-icicle\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Black Icicle (Chornaya Sosulka) Tomato Review\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,7,4,162,5],"tags":[56,203,412,30,33,413,126,15],"class_list":["post-584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bicolor","category-anthocyanin","category-paste-canning","category-plum-tomatoes","category-russian-eastern-european-heirlooms","tag-canning-tomato","tag-crack-resistant","tag-dark-paste-tomato","tag-heavy-yielder","tag-indeterminate","tag-purple-paste-tomato","tag-russian-heirloom","tag-sweet-flavor"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":585,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584\/revisions\/585"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}