Tamarillos are also known as tree tomatoes. In our latitudes, they can only be kept as a container plant, because the trees, which can grow up to seven meters high, do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. This is how the cultivation of the sweet and sour tomato-like fruits succeeds.

Sow tamarillos

  • Prepare the seed tray
  • Do not sow seeds too densely
  • Cover thinly with soil
  • Keep dark until germination
  • Spray frequently
  • Transplant into small pots after emergence
  • Put in bucket later
  • Attach climbing aid

Seeds are available from specialist retailers.

Tamarillos grow particularly well when planted in loamy soil.

Plant in buckets

Once the tamarillos have outgrown their pot, transplant them to a container. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Fill the bucket with clay soil. Alternatively, you can also use garden soil that you refine with mature compost.

Attach a trellis immediately after planting, then you will not damage the roots later.

Water a lot in summer

In summer the tamarillo is allowed on the terrace. Choose a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

When it's very hot, you'll need to water frequently, sometimes several times a day. Avoid wetting the leaves to avoid sunburn.

Fertilize the plant with cactus fertilizer once a month.

Hibernation in the house

Tamarillos are not frost hardy. They must overwinter in a frost-free, very bright location. Water occasionally during this time to keep the root ball from drying out.

If the tamarillo has grown too tall, simply clip the top. The plant then branches below the cut point.

Harvest tamarillos all year round

Tamarillos do not have a fixed harvest time. With good site conditions, new flowers form continuously from the third year, except during the winter, from which fruits develop again and again.

You can tell if the tamarillo is ripe by its dark red colour. However, the fruit ripens just like tomatoes if they are picked too early.

tips and tricks

You can get pre-grown Tamarillo trees in garden shops. If you want to quickly harvest fruit, you should abandon sowing and buy a biennial plant. Then you can already count on blossoms and fruits in the following year.

ce

Category:

Trees