Sandul Moldovan

mayax68 · February 7, 2007

I would like to get some opinions on Sandul Moldovian tomato from the people who actually grew it. I love its description and story. But is it really that good in life? How many tomatoes were you able to get off of 1 bush? How would you rate this tomato taste wise and production wise against others well known kinds? Thank you.

PaulF · February 7, 2007

I have not grown Sandul Moldovan since 2003, but will grow it again this year. The totals for 2003: 37 tomatoes on one plant totaling nearly 29 lbs. Average size was 12 oz., largest single tomato was 19 oz. Size and production was as good as any grown that year. I do not remember the taste, but remember it was not a spitter. I had not started recording taste impressions yet, but I do remember friends wanted seeds so it must have been OK.

**carolyn137** · February 8, 2007

About all I can say is that I introduced it, the story isn't that detailed at all, since I got many many varieties from immigrants new to the US through various contacts, and I wouldn't have included it in my book if I didn't think it was a great variety worthy of others trying it.

I had close to 1200 varieties grown at that time when I had to make decisions as to what went into the book, and what I ended up putting there I'd grown many times with the exception of Bulgarian #7 which I'd grown just the season before but liked it so much I included it.

But, as with all varieties opinions differ on taste and yield, so growing this or that variety is the only way to know how it does with your soil, your weather, your amendments and the way you grow tomatoes and all the other variables.

where_with_all · February 8, 2007

I grew SM a few years ago. I actually track the taste through blind taste tests with freinds and family. Here is what I can say.

SM lost out to marianna's peace (MP) in a blind taste, but not by much. It did beat out anna russian-handily.

SM had a blander, some would say sweeter, taste than the MP. MP was slightly more acidic and had better balance, which was why people liked it more.
I like sweet tomatoes, but I would not characterize SM as sweet. I think the better description is that it lacks acidity when compared to MP

Yields were really good. Tomatoes were big, much bigger than MP. I did not track these at the time

Hope it helps

evan1 · February 9, 2007

I went to my first tasting at the Rutgers Univ farm a few years back and thought SM was far and away the best tasting of everything I tried. I ordered seeds from Sandhill the next year and have grown ever since. My yields have varied, but always green shouldered when ripe. I echo others in that taste is subjective and varies year to year.

February 7, 2007	#1
mayax68 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA, CT Posts: 106	Sandul Moldovan I would like to get some opinions on Sandul Moldovian tomato from the people who actually grew it. I love its description and story. But is it really that good in life? How many tomatoes were you able to get off of 1 bush? How would you rate this tomato taste wise and production wise against others well known kinds? Thank you.

February 7, 2007	#2
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	I have not grown Sandul Moldovan since 2003, but will grow it again this year. The totals for 2003: 37 tomatoes on one plant totaling nearly 29 lbs. Average size was 12 oz., largest single tomato was 19 oz. Size and production was as good as any grown that year. I do not remember the taste, but remember it was not a spitter. I had not started recording taste impressions yet, but I do remember friends wanted seeds so it must have been OK. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

February 8, 2007	#3
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	About all I can say is that I introduced it, the story isn't that detailed at all, since I got many many varieties from immigrants new to the US through various contacts, and I wouldn't have included it in my book if I didn't think it was a great variety worthy of others trying it. I had close to 1200 varieties grown at that time when I had to make decisions as to what went into the book, and what I ended up putting there I'd grown many times with the exception of Bulgarian #7 which I'd grown just the season before but liked it so much I included it. But, as with all varieties opinions differ on taste and yield, so growing this or that variety is the only way to know how it does with your soil, your weather, your amendments and the way you grow tomatoes and all the other variables. __________________ Carolyn

February 8, 2007	#4
where_with_all Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 152	I grew SM a few years ago. I actually track the taste through blind taste tests with freinds and family. Here is what I can say. SM lost out to marianna's peace (MP) in a blind taste, but not by much. It did beat out anna russian-handily. SM had a blander, some would say sweeter, taste than the MP. MP was slightly more acidic and had better balance, which was why people liked it more. I like sweet tomatoes, but I would not characterize SM as sweet. I think the better description is that it lacks acidity when compared to MP Yields were really good. Tomatoes were big, much bigger than MP. I did not track these at the time Hope it helps __________________ Where With All on Long Island

February 9, 2007	#5
evan1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Z6 Posts: 12	I went to my first tasting at the Rutgers Univ farm a few years back and thought SM was far and away the best tasting of everything I tried. I ordered seeds from Sandhill the next year and have grown ever since. My yields have varied, but always green shouldered when ripe. I echo others in that taste is subjective and varies year to year.