Schematic diagram, not a photo. A reference illustration is in progress.

No. 036 · heirloom

Cosmonaut Volkov

Cosmonaut Volkov is an indeterminate heirloom slicer with deep red with green-tinged shoulders fruit. It ripens in about 72 days.

Typeslicer
Habitindeterminate
Days to maturity72
Fruit size8 to 12 oz
Colordeep red with green-tinged shoulders
Difficultymoderate

Flavor

Described in catalogs as rich, deep, balanced, sweet and tangy, with sweet, full-bodied juice. This is the recurring catalog and grower description, not a measured claim.

Origin

A Ukrainian heirloom from Dnepropetrovsk, named for Soviet cosmonaut Vladislav Volkov, who died during reentry in 1971; brought to North America through the Seed Savers Exchange.

What it does well

  • Productive large red fruit on long vines
  • Won Territorial Seed's Great Northwest Tomato Taste-Off

Where it frustrates

  • Tall indeterminate vines need trellising and sturdy support
  • Sources disagree on days to maturity, listed from 65 to 80 days

Like Cosmonaut Volkov, but...

Sold out, or after a change? The closest alternatives, and how they differ.

Cherokee Purplebut a red slicer rather than a dusky-colored beefsteakStupicebut larger and a little later than the tiny early Stupice

Where to buy seed

Sources