CHARLIE

Charlie Tomato — a famous American retro variety, nearly 90 years old. This variety was created in the early 1930s by self-taught gardener Mr. Bylles from West Virginia, who also worked as an auto mechanic. The name of the variety is associated with his nickname at work — Radiator Charlie. The variety gained wide recognition due to its excellent taste and high yield, remaining virtually unchanged to this day.

Charlie tomato plants can reach a height of 1.7–1.8 meters and are recommended to be trained into 2–3 stems for optimal growth and fruiting. The fruits have a flat-round shape, red or pink-red color, firm skin, and juicy, sugary flesh. The average weight of the fruits ranges from 300 to 500 grams; they are meaty, aromatic, and have a pleasant sweet flavor with a slight acidity. When broken, the flesh sparkles, indicating its freshness and juiciness.

The Charlie variety is classified as early or mid-season, allowing harvest within relatively short periods. It is characterized by high yield — up to five large fruits form on one cluster. The tomato is well-suited for cultivation both in greenhouses and open ground. Due to its firm skin, the fruits are well-suited for transport and maintain their market appearance for a long time, making this variety popular among gardeners and home vegetable enthusiasts.