{"id":7164,"date":"2026-11-05T11:38:48","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T11:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/?p=7164"},"modified":"2026-11-05T11:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T11:40:31","slug":"purple-smudge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/purple-smudge\/","title":{"rendered":"Purple Smudge 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> Purple Smudge<\/strong> is a vintage indeterminate<\/strong> heirloom and one of the early pioneers of anthocyanin genetics. Vines climb vigorously to the rafters, bearing 3-4.5 oz (80-130 g) round red saladette fruits. Prized as an unfussy “workhorse” that sets fruit through both heatwaves and cold snaps, growers emphasize that its signature purple shoulder “smudges” require unfiltered direct sunlight and often remain solid red inside UV-blocking greenhouses.\u00a0| Full summary \u2193<\/a><\/div>\n

Growers’ Notes and Field Trials (USDA Zone 4 Experience)<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
N<\/div>\n
\n
Nadia (Nadezhda) \u2b50 Pro Grower (10,765 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kaluga Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Indeterminate variety with regular foliage. Inside the greenhouse, it climbed all the way to the rafters. The largest fruit weighed in at 4.5 oz (130 g).Flavor is well-balanced: everything in nice, even moderation.<\/p>\n

This variety was an absolute workhorse, setting fruit in any weather, through brutal heat and cold snaps alike. Fruit color turned out deep, saturated red. The official description says it should develop purple brushstrokes on the shoulders, but mine probably did not get enough direct sun under the greenhouse glass.<\/p>\n

Definitely growing it again, though probably taking a break next season.<\/p>\n

Edited November 11, 2016 by Drosera<\/em><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Translation Hiccups (“Smog” vs. “Smudge”) and Direct Sun Requirements<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
D<\/div>\n
\n
Drosera (Svetlana) \u2b50 Pro Grower (5,415 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Yekaterinburg, Russia (USDA Zone 3)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

I am almost certain this variety is already in our catalog under the mistranslated name “Purple Smog”<\/p>\n

The actual authentic name is Purple Smudge:<\/p>\n

And it is not a “smog” or mist at all: a smudge means a blotch, stain, or smear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
S<\/div>\n
\n
salix (Iva) \ud83c\udf31 Member (631 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The variety called Purple Smog is something completely different: the two look nothing alike. My Purple Smog from Valentina Redko was flatter, significantly more ribbed than the fruit in Elena’s photo, and leaned much more brownish.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
N<\/div>\n
\n
Nadia (Nadezhda) \u2b50 Pro Grower (10,765 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kaluga Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Drosera said:<\/strong>
\nThe actual authentic name is Purple Smudge… and it is not a “smog” or mist at all: a smudge means a blotch, stain, or smear.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sveta, my seeds came from Germany in an exchange labeled under that name. I have zero problem with you updating the thread title to match Tatiana’s database \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Full Summary: Plant Habit, Anthocyanin Behavior, Flavor, and Naming<\/h2>\n