{"id":7047,"date":"2026-11-03T16:46:17","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/?p=7047"},"modified":"2026-11-03T16:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:46:41","slug":"plan-9-from-outer-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/plan-9-from-outer-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Plan 9 from Outer Space Tomato Review & Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n
\n Share your rating<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\ud83c\udf45 Quick take:<\/strong> Plan 9 from Outer Space<\/strong> is a show-stopping indeterminate<\/strong> heirloom bicolor beefsteak discovered and named by Remy Orlowski<\/strong> (The Sample Seed Shop, USA) as an accidental off-type in a packet of Brad Gates’ Solar Flare<\/em>. Named after Ed Wood’s infamous 1959 cult sci-fi film, it produces oblate, golden-yellow fruits marbled with blazing crimson streaks weighing 7 to 14 oz (200-400 g)<\/strong>, with records pushing 25 oz (700 g)<\/strong>. Renowned for its juicy, multi-dimensional sweet-tart flavor, it demands full sunshine to maximize its sugars and displays rock-solid resistance to BER and mid-summer flower drop. Full summary \u2193<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Growers’ Notes, Field Logs and Photos (USDA Zones 3-5 Experience)<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
E<\/div>\n
\n
ElenaN (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (28,513 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kostroma, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Indeterminate, tall, mid-season exotic slicer.<\/p>\n

The fruits are flat-round beefsteaks, medium-sized striped beauties weighing 3.5 to 5.3 oz (100-150 g), bright yellow painted with red-orange striping.<\/p>\n

The taste is good and fairly well-balanced with both tartness and sweetness, though it lacked that special punch of top-tier sugar for my palate, likely because the plant was tucked into a shady corner. Low-maintenance variety with solid greenhouse yields; did not drop a single flower during mid-summer heatwaves despite growing in a partially shaded bed.<\/p>\n

Edited September 5, 2016 by Drosera<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
I<\/div>\n
\n
ilja (Ilya) \ud83c\udf3f Member (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klin District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

In my greenhouse, it grew as a tall indeterminate reaching 6.5 ft (2 m), solid producer, mid-season maturity.<\/p>\n

Fruits were medium-sized, round-to-oblate, yellow-pink bicolors with red striping. Delicious, meaty, and sweet, with a refreshing touch of acidity.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
E<\/div>\n
\n
ElenaPr (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,433 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Grew it in the greenhouse, pruned to 2 main stems. Turned out very productive despite ending up in a less-than-ideal bed.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
A<\/div>\n
\n
Anela (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,218 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Grew it in the greenhouse: tasty, eye-catching tomatoes. Trained to 2 stems and it set every single flower cluster on trusses 1, 2, and 3 without dropping anything. \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
L<\/div>\n
\n
Lana_Sadovnitsa (Svetlana) \ud83c\udf31 Member (293 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

First year running this variety, seeds from Popenko. What a looker!<\/p>\n

Orange-yellow globes splashed with random crimson streaks, and when sliced open, it is the reverse: yellow and orange flame streaks bleeding through ruby-red flesh. Didn’t hit the advertised 14 oz (400 g) mark, averaging right around 7 oz (200 g) for me.<\/p>\n

Seedlings stretched a bit under lights, but once in the greenhouse it showed moderate climbing vigor, nothing crazy like Golden Canary. Reached the ceiling by season end and called it a day.<\/p>\n

Very tasty. Has a subtle tang that actually makes the flavor pop. Average yield. Definitely planting again, gotta blow the neighbors away with this kind of visual stunner!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
S<\/div>\n
\n
Svetikk (Svetlana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (29,813 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Stupino District, South Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Why are everyone’s tomatoes running so small? My biggest striped globe tipped the scales at nearly 25 oz (700 g)!<\/p>\n

And the flavor: packed with sweetness! \ud83d\ude0b Total eye candy, crazy productive, full marks across the board. Sticking this one on my permanent grow list.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
C<\/div>\n
\n
CUCSA (Larisa) \u2b50 Pro Grower (7,387 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Lipetsk, Russia (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

My tomatoes on this variety were quite large as well. Seeds were from Popenko. Planning on repeating it this season from a different seed source to compare.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
A<\/div>\n
\n
Aglaya (Olga) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,132 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Magnificent variety! Fruits run 7 to 14 oz (200-400 g). The flavor is intense, with bold sweetness and balanced acidity. High yielder. Definitely growing again for both the flavor (it is rare that a tomato hits my palate this perfectly) and the productivity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
E<\/div>\n
\n
enni (Elena) \ud83c\udf3f Member (964 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kirov Oblast, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Very heavy producer. Just ate a fruit that finished counter-ripening indoors: delicious, sweet, huge, a single tomato was an entire meal! Big props to Svetlana (Svetikk) for the seeds! \ud83d\udc90<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
O<\/div>\n
\n
Olya Pskovishna (Olga) \u2b50 Section Moderator (14,072 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Pskov Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Plan 9 from Outer Space.<\/p>\n

Gorgeous and delicious! Yield was a solid 4 out of 5 for me. Last season, with little heat and sun, the fruit looked slightly different, but tasted just as sweet.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
O<\/div>\n
\n
Olya Pskovishna (Olga) \u2b50 Section Moderator (14,072 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Pskov Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Adding a couple more shots:<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
O<\/div>\n
\n
Olga Sh (Olga) \u2b50 Section Moderator (2,752 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Tula, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Ran a single vine, yielded very well with plenty of direct sunshine. Definitely repeating it.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
P<\/div>\n
\n
PolinaG (Natalya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (2,779 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Yekaterinburg, Urals, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Unbelievably gorgeous variety: sweet, meaty, and high yielding.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
S<\/div>\n
\n
Svetikk (Svetlana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (29,813 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Stupino District, South Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Grew this variety again, and once more it delivered on all fronts: yield, looks, and superb flavor! \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
I<\/div>\n
\n
Irina Fedorova \u2b50 Pro Grower (1,665 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kaliningrad, Russia (USDA Zone 6)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Plan 9 is so handsome! Solid yielder, with fruit weights pushing up to 14 oz (400 g).<\/p>\n

The very first ripe fruit was frankly quite tart, but somehow still delicious. Subsequent fruits picked up far more sugar. Really enjoying this variety.<\/p>\n

Edited August 8, 2019 by Irina Fedorova<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
S<\/div>\n
\n
sofochkamai (Svetlana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (4,293 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Yekaterinburg, Urals, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Agreeing with everyone above! First year growing it. Hasn’t ripened yet since our summer was only two and a half weeks long, but what an absolute looker! Hovering around the vine like a bee waiting for it to turn. Even my husband, who is normally totally indifferent to tomato varieties, keeps eyeing it and asking when we get to slice it open! \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
L<\/div>\n
\n
Lena Vanyushka (Elena Korobkina) \ud83c\udf3f Member (628 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Love at first sight! Total looker, super delicious! Earning a permanent spot on my grow list!<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
E<\/div>\n
\n
Elena Aleksandrova \ud83c\udf31 Member (10 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Saratov Oblast, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Plan 9 from Outer Space.<\/p>\n

A truly outstanding variety! Mid-season indeterminate, reached about 5.6 ft (1.7 m). Grew in the greenhouse trained to 2 main stems. Regular foliage. The beefsteaks weighed 10.5 to 14 oz (300-400 g) and were intensely sweet! Great yields, strong disease resistance. A magnificent bicolor, highly recommended!<\/p>\n

Edited June 18, 2020 by Elena Aleksandrova<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
M<\/div>\n
\n
Mama Antona (Svetlana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (6,814 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kemerovo, Western Siberia, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Elena Aleksandrova said:
\nA truly outstanding variety! Mid-season… trained to 2 stems. Beefsteaks weighed 10.5 to 14 oz (300-400 g). Very sweet!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ElenaN said:
\nFantastic beefsteak tomato with a gorgeous interplay of yellow, orange, and red… beautiful inside and out!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is how Plan 9 performed in my Siberian greenhouse:<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a>
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
O<\/div>\n
\n
Olya Pskovishna (Olga) \u2b50 Section Moderator (14,072 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Pskov Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Mind-blowing! Pure sunshine! Hands down one of my all-time favorite tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Grew it two years in a row, took a brief hiatus, and immediately put it back in rotation. Can’t get enough of it! \ud83d\ude0b I would forgive it even if it yielded poorly, but while other varieties struggled in that bed this season, Plan 9 held strong. Zero blossom end rot (BER). Yield was average for me this year, though I know it is capable of much more, so any shortcomings were definitely on my end.
\n\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
T<\/div>\n
\n
Tatyana77 (Tatyana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (1,546 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

My Plan 9 from the 2024 season. As always: gorgeous and delicious, and sizing up even larger than usual.<\/p>\n

\"Plan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Full Summary: Origins, Plant Habit, Fruit Sizing and Flavor<\/h2>\n