The 'Roter Russe' tomato variety reliably and faithfully supplies bright red beefsteak tomatoes and is therefore very popular. We show what you should consider when planting and caring for the red Russian tomato.
The 'Roter Russe' variety convinces in the garden with its large, classic red fruits. In this profile you can find out what distinguishes this tomato variety, where it comes from and how best to cultivate it in your own garden.
Tomato 'Red Russian': Profile
| Synonyms | 'Red Russian' |
| Fruit | Beefsteak tomato; deep red |
| Flavour | fruity, sweet and sour |
| Maturity | medium late |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 160 cm |
| Location | Greenhouse, Outdoor, Pot |
Origin and history of the ‘Red Russian’ tomato
The 'Roter Russe' tomato variety is also known as 'Red Russian' and was introduced under this name. It comes from the Levin Agricultural Research Center in New Zealand and was selected there in 1943. Since its introduction in 1949, it has maintained a global presence in the gardens and greenhouses of the world and is particularly successful for its resilience to harsh and colder weather.
Red Russian: description and taste
'Red Russian' reaches a height of about 160 centimeters as a plant. The fruits are flat round, slightly ribbed and can weigh up to 350 grams. The first ripe, soft, deep red fruits can be harvested from August. The tomato plant is therefore one of the medium-late varieties and bears fruit until the end of September. The taste of the tomato variety 'Roter Russe' is aromatic and fruity with a balanced sweet-acid ratio. The New Zealand variety is seedfast, which means you can get seeds from its fruits for next year and grow the same variety from them. This is not possible with modern hybrid seed. Incidentally, we also have detailed instructions on how to obtain and store tomato seeds.
Planting and caring for red Russian tomatoes: what to look out for
The 'Red Russian' tomato is hardy and tolerant of diseases, but also of cool temperatures and heat and drought in midsummer. It is therefore suitable for the greenhouse, but also for the tub and the field. Planting outdoors takes place from mid-May after the ice saints. Place the 'Red Russian' deep in the ground and remove any leaves that would now disappear underground. We recommend mixing a primarily organic long-term fertilizer, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, into the excavated soil immediately after planting and adding it to the planting hole. The granules are then slowly broken down by soil organisms, providing all the nutrients the tomato plants need over a period of two months. This is followed by a second fertilization, which lasts until the end of the season. Outdoors, the 'Red Russian' tomato can be grown with multiple shoots, but should then be well supported and tied.
Of course you can also plant the 'Red Russian' in a large pot and place it on a warm house wall or on the balcony. To do this, fill a large planter with potting soil suitable for tomatoes, such as our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, and place the young 'Red Russian' plants in it. Incidentally, pot tomatoes need to be watered more often in midsummer than tomatoes grown outdoors.
Harvesting and using the 'Red Russian' tomato variety
From August the first ripe fruits can be harvested and enjoyed. Beefsteak tomatoes such as the 'Red Russian' are ideal for processing in soups and sauces. But the aroma of the robust tomato is also very effective fresh on bread and in salads.
Beefsteak tomatoes come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. In our article on the pineapple tomato, we introduce you to a beautiful yellow-orange marbled variety.