The 'Paul Robeson' tomato variety stands out with its dark color and spicy taste. In this article, we will tell you how to properly plant and care for Paul Robeson tomatoes.
The dark tomato variety 'Paul Robeson' ripens early and delights us with the spicy and fruity taste typical of dark tomatoes. We introduce you to the unusual stick tomato and give tips on how to grow it.
Paul Robeson Tomato: Profile
| Synonyms | 'Pol Robson', 'Robeson Black' |
| Fruit | salad tomato; dark red to brownish with olive to dark green shoulders |
| Flavour | fruity, spicy-sweet |
| Maturity | early |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | Greenhouse, protected outdoor area |
Origin and History
The Paul Robeson tomato originally comes from Siberia but is named after the American Paul Robeson. The actor, sportsman and civil rights activist was also well known in Russia and so this dark salad tomato was honored with his name. She is also known by the spellings 'Pol Robson' or 'Robeson Black'.
Flavour & Characteristics of Tomato Variety ‘Paul Robeson’
The up to two meter high plants of the variety have little foliage and look a bit light and bare. The round to oval-round fruits of the 'Paul Robeson' reach a weight of about 100 grams and measure about five to seven centimeters. From the end of July, the early-ripening salad tomato ripens and turns dark red to brownish with olive to dark green shoulders. The taste of the Paul Robeson tomato is fruity and spicy-sweet, like many dark tomato varieties. The old tomato variety is seed-firm and can be propagated again and again from your own seeds. Check out this post for instructions on how to win tomato seeds yourself.
Planting and caring for the Paul Robeson tomato
TheThis pretty, dark variety is happy about a place in the greenhouse or the protected cultivation as an outdoor tomato. Unfortunately, the thin-skinned fruits tend to burst when it rains, so the 'Paul Robeson' should be protected from the rain. Plant the Paul Robeson tomato in the greenhouse from the beginning of May and outdoors after the ice saints. You can also use our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil when planting in topsoil. It invigorates and promotes soil life with its high compost content and can thus improve the soil structure on difficult soils in the long term. Plant the 'Paul Robeson' in a deep planting hole due to its growth height, so that new roots form along the stem. Leaves that are too low are removed and the soil around the plant is lightly pressed.
Tomato cutting is also an issue with the 'Paul Robeson'. The salad tomato can be trained very well with two shoots and thus brings a richer harvest of the delicious tomato fruits. All side shoots are broken out of the leaf axils, except for one of the lowest ones. This is supported and tied up as the second main shoot. Fruit growth begins in June and the Paul Robeson tomato should now be fertilized for the first time. With a primarily organic long-term fertilizer, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, the plants are evenly supplied with nutrients over a long period of time. In contrast to mineral fertilizers, the plant-based granulate has a positive effect on soil life and gently releases its nutrients. Work the tomato fertilizer into the soil around the tomato plants and ensure an even water supply.
Harvesting and using Paul Robeson tomatoes
From the end of July the time has finally come and the first ripe fruits of the 'Paul Robeson' are waiting to be harvested. The tasty tomatoes are best eaten fresh, served with a snack or as a salad. Sauces and tomato paste take on a unique dark hue and benefit from the sweet flavor of this ancient variety. For tips and instructions on how to preserve tomatoes, see our special article.
Particularly with tomatoes outdoors or in a greenhouse, you should pay attention to the neighboring plants. We will introduce you to the concept of mixed cultivation of tomatoes and explain how you can protect your plants from pests with good neighbors.