The Pink Caspian is an heirloom tomato variety native to Russia. A co-worker of my dad (Jim Waltrip) at Petoseed Company discovered this tomato along the shores of the Caspian Sea in Russia shortly after the end of the Cold War. My dad, Jim Waltrip, named the variety once it was chosen for marketing. Since it is an heirloom, all of the Caspian Pink seeds available today originated from the original seed that was brought back from Russia!
The Pink Caspian tomato is a globe-shaped, pleated, beefsteak-type tomato that can grow as large as one pound. These big pink-red skinned tomatoes offer up what many describe as a classic tomato flavor with their fine balance of acid and sweetness. Pink Caspian tomato plants are classified as an indeterminate variety, meaning that they have long vines that will continue to grow and produce fruit all season until killed by frost. Thought by some to be "Queen of the Pinks," these prolific, pink-red beefsteak tomatoes that rival brandywine in popularity and flavor. One of the best known and best-tasting Russian tomatoes. This tomato is perfect for cooler climates.
Expected to be ready in early May
Caspian Pink Tomato
As an indeterminate variety, these plants will need stakes or cages to hold the vine-like stems in the soil. Keep the soil moist, especially when flowering and fruiting begins. Feed them weekly for maximum growth and during flowering to increase production.
Indeterminate tomatoes benefit from pruning or pinching when the plants are young. This removes suckers, which do not support but absorb nutrients and water from the bearing stems. Plants 12 to 18 cm (30 to 46 cm) high are ready for pruning. Remove armpit-sucking leaves from older stems that do not have flower buds. This redirects the plant’s energy to the producing stems and helps to increase air circulation and plant vigour.
Another tip for deep roots and strong stems when growing Caspian Pink tomatoes is to eliminate basal growth at planting. You can then bury the plant deeper and roots will form in the underground stem, which will increase absorption and stability.