Successful tomato gardening relies on understanding a plant’s growth habit, which dictates support needs and harvest timing. The Black Krim tomato, a celebrated heirloom known for its deep, dusky purple skin and complex flavor, is a popular choice. Knowing this variety’s growth pattern is necessary for cultivating a thriving, productive plant.
Understanding Tomato Growth Habits
Tomato plants are classified into two main categories: determinate and indeterminate. The difference centers on when the plant stops vegetative growth and begins focusing its energy on fruit production. Determinate varieties, often called “bush” types, grow to a predefined, compact height, typically reaching between three and four feet.
Once a determinate plant sets fruit on its terminal bud, its upward growth ceases, resulting in a concentrated burst of ripening fruit. This habit is ideal for gardeners who want a large harvest all at once, such as for canning or sauce. The entire crop usually matures within a couple of weeks, after which the plant declines.
Indeterminate tomatoes, in contrast, are often referred to as “vining” types because they do not have a fixed growth limit. These plants continue to grow upward and outward, setting flowers and producing fruit continuously throughout the growing season. Their main stem continues to elongate, only stopping when frost or disease ends the plant’s life cycle.
This continuous growth pattern means indeterminate varieties offer a prolonged, season-long harvest. They maintain an active growing point, often reaching heights of six to eight feet or more. This difference necessitates different strategies for support, pruning, and long-term care.
Black Krim: An Indeterminate Variety
The Black Krim tomato is an indeterminate variety, exhibiting a vigorous, vining growth habit until the first hard frost. Gardeners should anticipate a tall, sprawling plant that can easily exceed six feet if given adequate support and space. This long-season growth ensures a steady supply of fruit, rather than a single flush.
Hailing from the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine, this heirloom is prized for its aesthetic appeal and rich, distinctive taste. The fruit develops a striking dark, purplish-brown color with olive green shoulders, intensifying its dark hue in warmer weather. Black Krim tomatoes possess a rich, slightly smoky flavor profile with a hint of saltiness, making them a favorite for fresh slicing.
The indeterminate nature contributes to its long-term productivity and the development of its large, beefsteak-type fruit. These tomatoes typically weigh between eight and twelve ounces and have a flattened, globe-like shape. Due to its continuous fruit set and vine elongation, Black Krim requires specific attention to its physical structure and nutrient needs.
Managing the Indeterminate Growth Cycle
Since the Black Krim is a vigorous indeterminate grower, providing immediate and robust physical support is mandatory. The plant’s lengthy, heavy vines, laden with fruit, will quickly collapse without structure. Tall, sturdy stakes, strong cages, or a reliable trellising system are necessary to support the plant, often needing to reach heights of six to eight feet.
Proper pruning, specifically the removal of suckers, is a fundamental practice for managing indeterminate growth. Suckers are small shoots that emerge where a leaf stem meets the main stem; if left alone, they develop into secondary, fruit-producing vines. Removing these suckers, ideally by pinching them off when small, directs the plant’s energy into the main stem, resulting in larger fruit and a more manageable structure.
Pruning also improves air circulation within the dense foliage canopy, which is important for disease prevention. Gardeners should remove any foliage on the lower foot of the stem to prevent soil-borne pathogens from splashing onto the leaves during watering. This strategic removal of excess growth keeps the plant healthier and focuses production on the main vines.
Due to its continuous production cycle, the Black Krim requires a consistent supply of water and nutrients throughout the season. Unlike determinate types, which have a fixed feeding window, indeterminate plants are heavy feeders that need regular fertilization. A balanced fertilizer, focusing on phosphorus and potassium rather than excessive nitrogen, supports continuous flower and fruit development until the season concludes.