The Black Krim tomato is a popular heirloom variety valued for its distinctive flavor and appearance. Originating from the Isle of Krim (Crimea) on the Black Sea, this plant produces large, beefsteak-type fruit. The color is a deep, dark red that can appear nearly black, often retaining green shoulders when ripe. This tomato is known for a rich, slightly salty flavor profile, making it a favorite for fresh eating and slicing.
The Indeterminate Nature of Black Krim
The Black Krim tomato plant is classified as indeterminate, a growth habit that directly addresses the question of how tall it can grow. Indeterminate varieties function like vines, continuously growing taller and setting new flowers and fruit until the plant is killed by frost. This means that the plant does not have a genetically programmed maximum height, unlike determinate or “bush” varieties.
In a typical garden setting with proper support, Black Krim plants frequently reach heights between 4 to 6 feet. However, with optimal growing conditions and sturdy vertical support, these vines have the capacity to exceed 6 feet, sometimes growing to 8 feet or more. The plant’s structure is a long, leafy vine. This continuous growth habit requires season-long attention to keep the plant manageable and productive.
Managing Vertical Growth Through Support
Due to their substantial height and the weight of their large fruit, Black Krim plants require strong structural support from the moment they are transplanted. Allowing the heavy vines to sprawl on the ground can lead to poor air circulation and increased risk of common fungal diseases like early blight. Staking, caging, or using a trellis system is necessary to keep the foliage and fruit lifted off the soil.
Heavy-duty support systems, such as tall stakes driven deeply into the ground, or robust wire cages are recommended for this beefsteak variety. For tall indeterminate plants, a trellis system, like the Florida weave or an overhead line, is often the most effective way to manage the height and weight. As the plant grows, the main stem must be secured to the support structure at regular intervals to prevent the vine from collapsing under the fruit load.
Pruning is another important practice used to manage the plant’s aggressive vertical growth and direct its energy into fruit production. The primary technique involves removing “suckers,” which are new shoots that emerge in the V-shaped junction between a leaf stem and the main stem. Removing these suckers concentrates the plant’s resources into the main vine, which encourages larger fruit and improves air circulation within the dense canopy. Gardeners often choose to prune the plant to a single or double main stem for easier management on a stake or trellis.
Spacing and Light Requirements
The sprawling nature of the Black Krim tomato vine necessitates careful planning for planting distance to ensure plant health and maximum yield. Adequate spacing between plants allows for sufficient air circulation, which helps to mitigate humidity build-up and the spread of foliage diseases. Most recommendations suggest leaving 2 to 3 feet of space between individual Black Krim plants in a row.
For rows, a distance of 3 to 5 feet between them is helpful for movement and maintenance. Such spacing provides the necessary room for the root systems to develop fully. Because this tomato is a large, productive plant, it has high energy needs that must be met with ample sunlight. Black Krim tomatoes require a site that receives at least eight hours of direct sun daily to flourish and for the fruit to develop its characteristic deep color.