A striking Russian heirloom variety known for its distinctive deep mahogany-red fruits with dark, almost chocolate-coloured shoulders. Tshernij Prinz produces medium to large-sized tomatoes with a rich, complex flavour, combining earthy notes with a delicious sweetness and balanced acidity. Juicy and full-bodied, this distinctive variety is excellent for fresh salads, slicing, and adding depth of flavour to summer dishes. Productive and well suited to cooler growing regions, it is a wonderful choice for gardeners seeking something both unusual and flavourful.
Sowing:
Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost in warm soil (21–27°C). Sow seeds 0.6 cm deep and keep evenly moist until germination. Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light to encourage strong, healthy growth.
Planting:
Transplant in Greenhouse after all risk of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain above 10°C. Space plants 45–60 cm apart and provide sturdy support with stakes or cages, as indeterminate plants can grow tall and produce abundant fruit. Plant deeply, burying part of the stem, to encourage vigorous root development.
Harvesting:
Harvest when fruits develop their characteristic dark red-brown colour and feel slightly soft to the touch. The shoulders may retain a darker, greenish-brown hue when ripe. For the richest flavour, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine and harvest regularly throughout the season.
Fertility Recommendation:
Prefers fertile, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer at transplanting, then switch to a tomato fertilizer higher in potassium once flowering and fruiting begin. Maintain consistent soil moisture to support even fruit development and reduce the risk of splitting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.
