Scarlet Mustang Tomato: Characteristics, Reviews, Photos + Comparison Table

The Scarlet Mustang tomato boasts an unusual fruit shape that has become a favorite among gardeners in our country. Learn about its characteristics and growing tips in this article.

Table with characteristics of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

Characteristic	Description
Description	A mid-early indeterminate variety with medium-sized bushes with a small number of leaves.
Ripening period	115-120 days
Weight of commercial tubers	95 g
Marketability	97.3%
Productivity	391 c/ha
Usage	Suitable for canning.
Preferred growing regions	All regions (Northern, Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth, North Caucasian, Middle Volga, Lower Volga, Ural, West Siberian, East Siberian, Far Eastern).
Disease resistance	It has strong immunity and can be susceptible to late blight.
Agricultural technology	Designed for planting in a greenhouse or open ground, the bushes require support and pinching. Plenty of light is required for fruit formation.
	2014
Originator	Russia. Dederko Vladimir Nikolaevich (630132, Novosibirsk, Chelyuskintsev st., 15, apt. 32)

Photo gallery of the tomato variety Scarlet Mustang

The origin of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

The Scarlet Mustang tomato was developed by Siberian breeders in the early 2000s. Its characteristics were subsequently refined, the variety was regionalized, and in 2014 it was added to the register.

A detailed description of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

Like any indeterminate variety, Scarlet Mustang requires pinching. Full ripening occurs in 120 days; the tomatoes are cylindrical, medium-sized (95 grams), and up to 24 cm long. They can be planted in both a greenhouse and open ground, provided the summer is warm and sunny.

Bushes

The bushes are medium-sized, with shoots reaching approximately 170 cm in length, but can grow significantly longer under favorable conditions. Pinching out the side shoots helps control growth.

Despite the stems being strong and robust, they have few leaves, and those that do grow are modest in size. This feature allows the ripening fruit to receive more light, and the plant itself to conserve resources for harvesting.

The bushes have a powerful root system, so they easily absorb moisture from deep soil layers. This is important to consider when planting seedlings, choosing containers with a minimum capacity of 1 liter.

The tomato plant blooms with bright yellow flowers gathered in clusters. They begin to appear above the seventh leaf. A single cluster can contain 5 to 7 tomatoes at a time.

Fruit

The Scarlet Mustang variety produces cylindrical fruits, averaging 95g in weight but reaching 150-200g. They are very dense and firm, like the body of a young mustang. From a distance, they look more like a red pepper plant than a tomato.

The skin is thin, and the flesh is very firm but not overly juicy. Therefore, this variety is recommended primarily for canning. As the fruit ripens, its color changes from light green to burgundy-red.

Full ripening does not occur before August.

Productivity

The bushes produce large numbers of brightly colored fruits, gathered in clusters. The yield is quite high, up to 350 c/ha.

Ripening time

According to the registry, the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety is classified as mid-early. The estimated ripening time from full germination is 115-120 days.

What regions is the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety suitable for?

Tomatoes have proven themselves in virtually all regions of our country. They are grown with good results in the south, and have demonstrated good yields in Siberia and the Urals. The key is to maintain proper temperature conditions and avoid planting seedlings in insufficiently warmed soil.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

The Scarlet Mustang variety has a number of advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages	Flaws
It has a good yield. Ideal for canning. Has strong immunity. Characterized by high marketability, the fruits spoil during transportation.	Average taste qualities. The need for good lighting. They need pinching and support.

Planting the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

The Scarlet Mustang tomato is often grown commercially due to its high yield, low maintenance, and excellent marketability. However, many home gardeners prefer it when choosing tomatoes for canning.

Sowing seeds and growing seedlings

The Scarlet Mustang variety is distinguished by a fairly long period of seed germination.

The exact planting time varies by region, but the calculation is based on the fact that the plants should be at least 2.5 months old when planted. This allows for harvesting within 60 days.

The purchased seeds do not require additional treatment with disinfectants; this was done during the pre-sale preparation stage by the manufacturer itself.
But it is still recommended to soak the seeds for faster germination; the time they stay in water is about a day.

Fill a deep, prepared container with tomato nutrient mixture, making 15mm-deep furrows in the soil. Place the seeds in these furrows, then bury the furrows and moisten the soil with a spray bottle. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place it in a dark, warm place.

As soon as the first shoots emerge from the soil, remove the plastic wrap and move the containers to a cooler, but well-lit location. This slight temperature drop is crucial during the growth stage and helps strengthen the seedlings' immune system.

When a couple of leaves appear on the shoots, transplant them. Keep in mind that the root system of tomatoes is quite extensive, so the next container should be deep. Furthermore, before planting the tomatoes in the ground, they can be repotted again, but into a larger container. It's important to transfer the tomatoes with the root ball from the previous pot, without disturbing the tender roots.

Planting in the ground

The soil for the tomatoes is prepared in advance: the bed is dug over and doused with boiling water for disinfection. The seedlings are placed in each hole along with a lump of soil, which should be completely covered by the hole.

Seedlings should be planted in the ground when they are 2.5 months old. No more than four bushes can be planted per square meter. Scarlet Mustang requires staking, which should be planned before planting. The shoots are carefully trained upward along the support, and the bush itself is formed into two trunks.

Excess shoots must be removed, and the length of the bush is regulated by the gardener; it can be 160 cm or 230 cm, depending on growing conditions.

In cool regions with short summers, heavy rainfall and little sun, it is better to grow Scarlet Mustang in a greenhouse.

The optimal air temperature for Scarlet Mustang tomatoes is considered to be 18 degrees, so they are transferred to an open bed in late May or early June, and to a greenhouse no earlier than April.

Caring for the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

When preparing holes, experienced gardeners recommend adding 1 tablespoon of wood ash to each hole, which helps prevent pests.

The first feeding is done two weeks after planting the seedlings in the garden bed. For this, prepare a solution of 10 liters of water, 25 g of superphosphate, and 30 g of potassium sulfate. Each plant requires about 1 liter of this nutrient "cocktail."

The second portion of fertilizer is applied during the period of fruit formation; urea is excellent for this purpose.

Many gardeners prefer to mulch their tomato beds, but as practice shows, this is not necessary for the Scarlet Mustang variety.

Sprinkle the greenhouse with water every three days, and water the open beds regularly as the soil dries. Avoid overwatering and waterlogging around the roots.

According to the breeders, the Scarlet Mustang variety has good resistance to common diseases. However, in cool, rainy weather, immunity weakens, and fungi, bacteria, and viruses can develop, so it's important to treat the plants promptly to prevent disease.

Resistance of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety to diseases and pests and their control

The scarlet mustang has a strong immune system, but most often signs appear on it late blightTo prevent the disease, it is necessary to ventilate the greenhouse, follow crop rotation rules, and avoid planting near other members of the nightshade family.

If the disease has already appeared, the plantings should be treated with specialized products, and the infected areas of the bushes should be removed and burned. It's best to choose products of biological origin, as they won't harm either the tomatoes or the soil. It's important to use products that remain effective at high temperatures.

Storage of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

The Scarlet Mustang tomato has a long shelf life. Thanks to its not-too-juicy flesh and firm skin, it retains its flavor for a long time. The key is to store it in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area.

Using Scarlet Mustang Tomatoes

The Scarlet Mustang variety has thick skin and not very juicy flesh, making it unsuitable for juice or tomato paste. However, these tomatoes can be dried, cured, and canned, either whole or cut.

Comparison of the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety with other varieties in the table

Please note! How can you easily convert centners/ha to kg/sq.m? Simply divide by 100! For example, the Abakansky Pink tomato yields 400 centners of marketable fruit per hectare. This equals 4 kg per square meter. It's that simple! Also, keep in mind that typically no more than 3-4 plants are planted per square meter. This way, you can calculate the yield per bush. In the case of the Abakansky Pink, it's about 1 kg.

Variety	Ripening period (number of days from full germination to ripening) Yield of commercial fruits	Brief description	Fetus
Scarlet Mustang	115-120 days 391 c/ha	A mid-early, indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Suitable for canning. It has a very high marketability (97.3%).	Medium, cylindrical, hard, slightly ribbed, red, 95 g.
Ladies' man	110 days 1000 c/ha (greenhouse)	A mid-season indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Requires staking and training. Suitable for salads, whole-fruit canning, and pickling.	Cylindrical, with a spout, smooth, very dense, resistant to cracking, red, 45-60 g. Excellent taste.
Gulliver	110-115 days 220-691 c/ha	A mid-season determinate variety for open ground. Suitable for salads, canning, and processing into tomato products. Marketability is 94-100%. Drought-resistant, heat-tolerant, and tolerates low temperatures well.	Cylindrical, smooth, dense, red, 94-116 g. Good taste.
De Barao	about 125 days 500-600 c/ha	A late-ripening indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Requires staking and training. Suitable for salads and whole-fruit canning.	Ovoid, smooth, red, 30 g. Excellent taste.
De Barao is black	115-125 days up to 800 c/ha	A late-ripening indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Requires staking and training. Suitable for salads and whole-fruit canning.	Ovoid, smooth, purple-brown, 58 g. Good taste.
Children's sweetness	80-90 days 590 c/ha	An early-ripening determinate variety for greenhouses. Suitable for salads.	Ovoid, smooth, medium-dense, red, 50-70 g. Excellent taste.
Königsberg	115 days 460-2000 c/ha	A mid-season indeterminate variety for open ground. Requires staking and training. Suitable for salads and processing into tomato products. Marketability: 56% (Novosibirsk Region). Heat-resistant.	Cylindrical, smooth, dense, good keeping quality, red, 155-230 g (up to 300 g). Excellent taste.
Cornabel	110-115 days 1500-2000 c/ha	A mid-season indeterminate variety for greenhouses. Requires staking and shaping. Suitable for salads.	Cylindrical, large, red, 220 g. Excellent taste.
Money lily	104-106 days 200 c/ha	A mid-early, determinate, standard variety for open ground and greenhouses. Suitable for salads and whole-fruit canning.	Ovoid, smooth, dense, red, 50 g. Excellent taste.
Marusya	105-110 days 690 c/ha	An early-ripening determinate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Suitable for salads and whole-fruit canning. Heat-resistant.	Ovoid, smooth, dense, red, 80-95 g. Excellent taste.
Siberian miracle	110-115 days The yield of commercial fruits under film covers is 10 kg/sq.m.	A mid-season indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Requires staking and shaping. Suitable for salads.	Ovoid, smooth, medium density, red, 150-200 g. Good taste.
The Swan Princess	95-105 days Up to 1500 c/ha	An early-ripening indeterminate variety for open ground and greenhouses. Requires staking and training into 2-3 stems. Suitable for salads, pickling, and processing into tomato products.	Ovoid or elongated, smooth, red, 150-240 g. Good taste.
Adelina	82-109 days 242-447 c/ha, maximum 669 c/ha	A mid-season determinate variety for open ground. Suitable for salads, whole-fruit canning, and processing into tomato products. Heat- and drought-resistant.	Egg-shaped, smooth, transportable red, 59-83 g. The taste is good to excellent.
Khokhloma	112-119 days 850-990 c/ha	A mid-season indeterminate variety for greenhouses. Requires staking and training. Suitable for salads and canning.	Cylindrical, red, 108-127 g. Excellent taste.

Real reviews from gardeners about the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety

According to reviews, the Scarlet Mustang variety doesn't have a distinctive flavor, and the yield directly depends on how sunny the summer is. However, under favorable conditions, gardeners report a large number of fruits, which grow up to 24 cm in length.

User Ledi Irin, Novosibirsk, December 6, 2020

Varieties like Königsberg (in this case, Scarlet Mustang) usually keep well and for a long time, remaining dense and tasty.

I still have tomatoes like these:

Photo taken today.

There are, of course, some wilted tomatoes, but many are still perfectly fine. They're great for soups and stir-fries.

I once had one of these same varieties just sitting in my room until February. It might have lasted longer, but I didn't take any chances and used them in hot sandwiches. The taste was good.

This is the Scarlet Mustang tomato variety—the first bunches were larger, but these little ones were left to ripen, so they're all just lying there ripening...

User mar125, Russia, Buguruslan, February 16, 2020

I love these tomatoes. They're wonderful to plant from seed, they grow beautifully in the garden, and the tomatoes are beautiful and delicious, ripening right there in the garden. They're also great for pickling for the winter.

User Arinochka90, Russia, Taganrog, February 15, 2020

Hello, my dears. After planting these seeds, I was surprised because they began sprouting on the third day. Three days later, the seedlings had thick stems and beautiful potato-like leaves. They transplant well into the ground, tolerate diseases well, and the insides are not fleshy, but not hollow either, very juicy and tasty. They bloom profusely, with almost no barren flowers. They love lots of light and warmth, and require a lot of care and fertilizer. Water generously but not frequently, and frequent loosening is essential. The tomatoes are very large. The packaging is airtight, indicating that the manufacturer cares about their product. The seeds can be stored for up to three years, which is a big plus.

User Olu78, Russia, Mezhdurechensk, February 15, 2020

When choosing seeds, I always buy several new varieties.
The name of the scarlet mustang attracted me.

After studying the information on the packaging, I noted that the tomato is 2 meters tall. The fruits weigh up to 200 grams.

Mine sprouted 50% on the fifth day. The Scarlet Mustang seedlings are strong and have large leaves.

I planted the seedlings in the greenhouse lying down, leaving only the tops above the ground.

The tomato quickly took root and began to grow. Staking this variety is essential. The trunk is quite thick. Few tomatoes have formed on the bush.

The tomatoes ripened slowly. After trying them, I was somewhat disappointed with this variety. My tomatoes were similar in shape and weight to those advertised. The skin was thick. The tomatoes were hard and hollow inside. These tomatoes can also be grown for stuffing and preserves.

I prefer salad varieties.

User platoniya1965, Russia, Saratov, January 14, 2021

I've been planting "Scarlet Mustang" tomatoes for a long time. They're a cultivar, not a hybrid, so I make my own seeds every year. They sprout very well, producing strong, easy-to-grow seedlings. The yield is good, the tomatoes are tasty, meaty, and large, suitable for eating fresh and for processing into salads. They're too large for pickling whole, but I have a recipe for pickling them in chunks—it's delicious. It's best to pinch off the side shoots and tie them to a support; tomatoes left on the ground can rot. One drawback: mine often crack near the stem; they don't keep for long; they need to be eaten or processed immediately.

User Quail, 3.2.2013

I liked the Scarlet Mustang. It's long, with meat like the Eagle's Beak. They don't keep well. I jar them standing up in juice. They're also good for drying. They're the tastiest of the dried ones.

Honda User, Dec 16, 2011

Lyudmila, I also really love Southern Tan and am looking for a similar red variety to pair it with. I tried Scarlet Mustang this year. I liked the taste, but the yield wasn't great. Although I don't want to criticize it yet, as it wasn't planted very well, with the plantings being too dense. I'll try it again next year.