Orange Russian 117

Family: Solanaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Orange Russian 117 to a garden.

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, Orange Russian 117 is an oxheart tomato that ripens to a luminous amber-orange, with a softly ribbed, heart-shaped silhouette that feels substantial in the hand.

The flesh is tender and juicy, balancing sweet, mellow flavor with a gentle tang—ideal for showcasing in bold, colorful slices, vibrant sauces, and quick pickling. Grow it for its distinctive color and old-world presence: a rewarding 85-day season that brings a harvest as beautiful as it is delicious.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Orange Russian 117

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Orange Russian 117 Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Orange Russian 117 hits that rare spot where it’s sweet up front but still has a gentle tang that keeps each spoonful lively. Use it in situations where you can see the juicy, tender flesh—slicing, blistering, or reducing—because it gives a luminous, orange-toned sauce instead of a dull red one.

Best Uses

thick slice-and-salt plates that let the flesh stay juicy without turning watery
quick skillet blistering or a short roast where the juices reduce into a glossy pan sauce
vibrant sauces where it cooks down into silky, orange-hued tomato base
fast refrigerator pickles for a sweet-bright bite

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow fruitiness gentle tang with a soft acidic lift tender, juicy flesh with a substantial oxheart bite warm, sun-ripened tomato aroma

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil herbes de Provence feta balsamic vinegar pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) like ‘Orange Russian 117’, and how can I control it at home?

Watch for early blight and Septoria leaf spot, which show up as dark spots on older leaves that spread upward. Remove and discard affected leaves, avoid wetting foliage, and improve airflow with wider spacing and pruning of lower leaves. If it keeps recurring, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes (follow the product schedule) starting as soon as spots appear.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase to prevent problems?

During active flowering and fruiting, keep soil evenly moist—about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, delivered slowly at the base. Let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce disease, but don’t let the root zone fully dry out, which can trigger blossom-end rot and fruit cracking.

How can I tell when ‘Orange Russian 117’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored to a consistent orange and feel slightly firm with a gentle give when squeezed. Pick at peak ripeness (typically around 85 days) because these tomatoes continue to develop sweetness on the vine and will soften quickly after full color.