The tomato variety 'Chernij Prinz' is also known as 'Schwarzer Prinz' or 'Schwarzer Prinz'. Introducing the aromatic beefsteak tomatoes.
The dark beefsteak tomato 'Chernij Prinz' comes from Siberia and is therefore particularly adapted to cool climates. In this profile you will learn everything about the taste, cultivation and use of the 'Chernij Prinz' tomato.
‘Chernij Prinz‘: profile
| Synonyms | 'Black Prince', 'Black Prince' |
| Fruit | Beefsteak tomato; dark red with olive green to brown shoulders |
| Flavour | juicy, fruity, aromatic |
| Maturity | late |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 160 cm |
| Location | Greenhouse, sheltered field, pot |
Origin of tomato variety
The 'Chernij Prinz' variety, also called 'Schwarzer Prinz' or 'Black Prince', originally comes from Irkutsk in southern Siberia. It probably originated there in the middle of the 20th century as a special variety for hobby gardeners. However, its robustness and wonderful taste helped it to become popular and popular across the country. It eventually crosses national borders into the US, Europe and the Kazakhstan area.
Flavour and Properties of the Black Prince Tomato
The 'Schwarzer Prinz' plants grow to a height of just 160 centimeters, but grow in width because of their many side shoots. The flattened to round, slightly ribbed fruits ripen in clusters late from mid-August. They often vary in size and reach a maximum weight of 400 grams. Even when ripe, the dark red tomatoes retain olive-green to brown shoulders around the base of the stalk. The flesh is juicy and soft, the taste is fruity and aromatic. You can win tomato seeds yourself from particularly beautiful fruits for the next season and thus get the 'Black Prince' variety.
Planting and cultivating Chernij Prinz
Siberian 'Chernij Prinz' is cold tolerant and hardy, making it a good strain for higher altitudes. It also tolerates cool summers well and still produces a good yield. The thin skin of 'Chernij Prinz' tends to burst easily and so the variety should get a dry or rain-protected location in the greenhouse or outdoors under a roof. The dark beefsteak tomato also grows well in a pot on the balcony or terrace and produces a sufficient yield. Put the 'Black Prince' outdoors from mid-May after the ice saints, in the greenhouse from the beginning of May. To keep them in pots, choose the largest possible planter and fill it with a pre-fertilized substrate such as our Plantura organic tomato soil. The high proportion of compost makes the soil nice and loose and it does not contain any peat, which is harmful to the climate. It already contains essential nutrients that give the young plant a growth spurt after planting. After planting, water well and support the 'Black Prince' with a metal or wooden stick.
From June, the 'Chernij Prinz' begins with its typical strong growth of the side shoots. It is best to leave only two to three shoots on the plant, then the fruits will ripen earlier and the yield will still be sufficient. Tomato pinching must be repeated regularly to remove any excess side shoots. The growth of the fruit also begins in June. Now the 'Chernij Prinz' needs larger amounts of nutrients, especially potassium, and an initial fertilization is recommended. With a predominantly organic long-term fertilizer, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, the plants are gently and evenly supplied with nutrients over a longer period of time. Unlike mineral fertilizers, the plant-based granules are gentle on soil life and slowly decompose over a period of two months. The 'Black Prince' is supplied with a second, lower dose of supplementary fertilization until the end of the season in November.
Harvesting and use of the Black Prince tomato
The time has finally come in mid-August: The first fruits of 'Schwarzer Prinz' are ripe, they shine in dark red to brownish dark, the flesh gives slightly under pressure. The delicious beefsteak tomatoes are best eaten fresh on bread or in salads. This robust and cold-tolerant variety is also particularly suitable for cooking in sauces, soups and gazpacho.
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