Description of the best, sweetest, and most productive varieties of cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes get their name from the shape of their fruits, which resemble cherries on long stems. European gardeners have long cultivated this variety, but in the CIS and Russia, these tomatoes are still a rare sight. Varieties vary in yield, and both low-growing and tall-growing varieties are available. A special feature of cherry tomatoes is their suitability for canning. These tomatoes look exceptionally appetizing in a jar.

What are the benefits of cherry tomatoes?

Tomatoes are juicy, productive, and, thanks to their properties and composition, can provide real health benefits. Cherry tomatoes are grown in open ground, greenhouses, and even on windowsills. And everywhere they bear fruit, rewarding their owners with plenty of small, delicious tomatoes.

"Dark" varieties (blue or near-black) are used to treat diabetes, eye diseases, and as a natural antioxidant. Small fruits contain higher concentrations of juice, nutrients, and sugars than "normal" tomatoes.

Breeders have managed to obtain tomatoes with unique characteristics and the taste of garden raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and even muskmelon.

In more detail, the beneficial properties of "cherries" look like this:

1. High concentration of vitamin K, which promotes calcium metabolism and stimulates the functioning of the urinary system and kidneys.
2. Lycopene, found in tomatoes, minimizes the risk of cardiovascular disease and the development of malignant tumors in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Lycopene is fat-soluble, and its absorption is enhanced by the presence of sour cream and vegetable oil. Tomatoes can be cooked without destroying the lycopene.
3. Natural serotonin acts as a "feel-good" enhancer and is a natural antidepressant.
4. The mineral complex replaces the need for synthetic vitamins, and the chromium in tomato fiber helps quickly eliminate hunger and replenish energy losses.

Those were the benefits of cherry tomatoes, but now let's talk about the downsides. Tomatoes can be harmful if you've been diagnosed with certain ailments and diseases. Specifically, peptic ulcers: the increased acid concentration limits the daily intake of "cherries" to 100 grams.

Those with metabolic imbalances should also avoid cherry tomatoes. They are also unsuitable for those with allergies or gallstones. Otherwise, cherry tomatoes deserve a place in the diet of every adult, child, and teenager.

Classification of tomatoes by ripening time

No surprises await gardeners beginning to grow tomatoes here: like large-fruited varieties, cherry tomatoes, depending on the growing season, are divided into:

1. Early ripening.
2. Average.
3. Late.

Some clarification is needed. The ripening period for dwarf tomatoes is extended and staggered, with the first harvest not occurring until mid-July. Therefore, gardeners should use these benchmarks when determining the cost of cherry seeds for planting and which variety to choose. However, there are plenty of tomato varieties for growing in a greenhouse, in a garden bed, and even on a balcony or loggia. There's plenty to choose from.

Early

Characterized by rapid ripening (90-95 days), the formation of small, harmoniously shaped fruits is quite common. The Zolotoy variety is a low-growing variety with branched clusters, each producing up to 40 tomatoes. The fruits are bright yellow, weighing up to 20 grams. One square meter of planting yields up to 7 kilograms of ripe tomatoes. They are excellent for canning and fresh consumption.

Mid-season

These tomatoes bear fruit in approximately 105 days. They boast excellent flavor and pink skin. These sweet, round tomatoes have become a common sight in garden plots and greenhouses.

Late

Late-ripening cherry tomatoes are the last to ripen (about 120 days). They can be grown in a greenhouse, ripening in late autumn. These tomatoes typically store well when raw. They are also incredibly tasty in salads and preserves.

In addition to classification by ripening time, varieties are also divided into greenhouse and outdoor varieties. Recently, special climbing (trailing) cherry tomatoes have appeared for growing on balconies.

Cherry tomato varieties for greenhouses

Experienced gardeners successfully grow varieties not intended for greenhouse use in greenhouses. They know the secret: careful planting with ample space and timely side-sonning will lead to success. Another nuance concerns the purpose of cultivation. For canning, "small" tomatoes are used—any variety with small fruit. For fresh consumption, larger, hybrid tomatoes are needed.

Black cherry

This variety, both in name and taste, lives up to the original vision of breeders who developed dwarf tomatoes. The black cherry's color resembles chocolate, as sweet as candy. It's a tall variety, growing both in greenhouses and in the open field.

The clusters are dense, densely covered with fruit, like grapes. The fruiting period is 112-120 days. Each bush yields up to 5 kilograms of delicious dark, almost black, tender, and juicy "cherries."

Lycopa F1

An early-ripening hybrid. It has a distinctive elliptical fruit shape and a rich red color. It contains lycopene and has a harmonious flavor.

Suitable for eating raw, slicing, and in salads, as well as for canning. It requires support, otherwise the bush will break under the weight of the fruit. It's productive, yielding up to 14 kilograms per square meter.

Kira F1

Early-ripening cherry tomatoes. The fruits are ready for harvesting 90-95 days after planting. They are equally suitable for growing in greenhouses and garden beds. The tomatoes are round, golden-orange in color, and weigh up to 50 grams. The flavor is rich and harmonious.

Madeira variety

This hybrid produces fruit, on average, within 90 days of germination. It requires staking and shaping of shoots and vines, otherwise fruiting drops sharply. It's somewhat fussy, requiring warmth and light, as well as stable humidity (up to 60%). The tomatoes grow like a perfect match – uniform in size, well-shaped, and delicious.

For open ground

Cherry tomatoes for garden beds are little different from their greenhouse counterparts: most varieties are successfully used in both settings. When planting outdoor tomatoes, gardeners will need to be attentive, carefully select a location, provide adequate watering, and protect against pests and diseases.

Svia Pia

An atypical, unique hybrid with exceptionally small berries, barely larger than a pea. They produce up to 3 kilograms of fruit per bush and can be grown as a hedge, on a trellis, or along a fence.

White currant

Cherry tomatoes grow in clusters, like the fruit crop of the same name. The bushes are tall, reaching up to 2 meters. The fruits are light yellow or pale cream in color, each weighing up to 22 grams. The flavor is delicate, moderately sweet, with a slight tartness.

Little Red Riding Hood

This variety is equally suitable for both ornamental and edible use. It is recommended for growing in urban areas and on balconies. The fruits ripen in clusters, evenly filling the vine with delicious red berries. The advantage of this variety is that no training is required. Ripening time is moderate – up to 90 days. They are distinguished by their thin, almost imperceptible skin.

Beads

A variety developed through bold experiments by Russian breeders. Its appearance resembles small, densely packed scarlet beads.

Chocolate pearls

Based on its appearance, it's easy to confuse this variety with the wild variety. In fact, it's a specially bred cultivated hybrid. The growing season is extended, with the fruit setting and ripening before frost. The skin is dark brown, chocolate-colored, and dense. The flavor is moderately sweet.

Honey drop

This variety produces bright yellow berries, shaped like a teardrop. The "honey" in the name is used not only to highlight the color but also the flavor: these cherry tomatoes have a soft, delicate flavor. This variety is considered an early ripening one.

Tomatoes for the balcony

In addition to varieties for open ground, hotbeds, and greenhouses, special varieties have been developed for growing on balconies. They are characterized by their low maintenance and increased branching.

Minibell

This variety harmoniously combines medium-sized fruits with a compact bush. The berries have a pleasant, slightly sweet flavor.

Granddaughter

The bushes are low-growing, densely covered with small, sweet fruits. They'll appeal to both adults and children. They weigh between 10 and 50 grams.

Balcony miracle

This variety is suitable for planting in small (1-2 liter) pots, suitable for balconies and compact city apartments. The flesh is juicy and tender, and the fruits are ready to eat 90 days after germination.

Low-growing cherry crops

Cherry tomatoes aren't known for their gigantic size, but there are also some truly miniature varieties: dwarf tomatoes for a variety of uses. Most varieties successfully combine productivity and ornamental appeal, and are used in garden plantings and as hedges.

The pearl of the garden

This is a super early variety. The bush is short, reaching up to 40 centimeters in height. The fruits are small, round, light pink, and sweet. Each berry weighs up to 20 grams. They are used for decorative purposes and thrive in both the garden and on the balcony. They are delicious in salads, as an appetizer, and canned.

Honey candy

A mid-early, cluster-type cherry tomato variety. The bush grows up to 1 meter tall, with large, sparse leaves. It requires staking. The plum-shaped fruits have smooth, bright yellow skin, weighing up to 30 grams each. They are versatile in their uses: suitable for pickling and fresh slicing.

Sugar-coated cranberries

This early-ripening cherry tomato is easy to grow in the garden. The fruits are a rich red, delicious, and have a hint of sweetness. They are widely used in preserves and are an indispensable winter snack.

Granddaughter

The distinctive features of this variety are its hardiness and consistent flavor. It is indispensable for canning, pickling, and marinating. Its shape is round, slightly flattened. It grows up to 50 centimeters tall. The fruits are resistant to shattering, and each berry weighs up to 50 grams.

A basket on the windowsill

The cultivar's creators intended it for open plantings, and thanks to its compact bush size (up to half a meter), this cherry tomato is a frequent guest on windowsills and balconies. Its characteristic features include early ripening (up to 80 days) and uniform ripening of the fruits within the cluster. It grows without care or support.

Indigo Cherry Drops

This new variety produces small, black berries. The skin is smooth and glossy, and the flesh is juicy and sweet. Its yield and ripening time are average, which makes it suitable for successful cultivation in a variety of conditions.

Tall

Cherry tomato seeds are available in a variety of sizes, from miniature to giant. The choice depends on the customer's preferences. In most cases, the height will require support to support the plant.

Greenfinch

This mid-season variety is best grown in greenhouses. The "cherries" are small, round, yellowish-green, with firm skin and delicately flavored flesh.

Golden Bead F1

A domestic natural product, tall bushes with small, orange-yellow fruits. A sweet variety; the thick skin doesn't spoil the flavor.

Marishka F1

Early-ripening cherry tomatoes developed by Russian breeders. The fruit is round and medium-sized, with a soft pink skin. Hardy and disease-resistant.

Pink cherry

A true match to the variety's name: small, neat "cherries" grow on stalks, are medium-sized, and have a harmonious, sweet-sour taste.

Ildi's Grape

These cherry tomatoes are from afar, invented and bred by foreign botanists. The yellow, spherical berries are distinguished by their dense ovaries (up to 100 on a single cluster) and the piquant, spicy flavor of their flesh.

The sweetest varieties

It's easy to get lost among the wide variety of cherry tomatoes: dwarf, tall, for garden beds, balconies, and greenhouses. There are also exceptionally tasty, juicy tomatoes. Opinions vary, but the top-ranked sweet, delicious tomatoes typically include Honey Drop, Garden Pearl, Marishka F1, and Kishmish. Sweet cherry.

The best productive varieties

When considering planting tomatoes, gardeners are interested in which varieties produce high yields. This is true for any crop, not just miniature cherry tomatoes.

Sweet Pearl, Mexican Honey, Ocean, Margol F1, and others are guaranteed to bear fruit in large quantities. It's important to remember that many varieties can be achieved with bush training and timely side-sonning. The result also depends on the seed stock, its quality, and the producer.