Description
Tamarillos (Solanum betaceum) are part of the Solanaceae familywhich includes potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, and pepper plants.
It is an evergreen to semi-evergreen small tree (up to 5 meters tall). It can be deciduous in cool climates. It is fast growing and will reach peak production after four years with a life expectancy of 8-12 years. It grows as a single upright trunk with lateral branches and has large, heart-shaped leaves.
Fruit is borne on laterals, so once the desired height is reached, snip off the growing top(s) to encourage lateral formation. Laterals will carry clusters of white flowers and 3-12 egg-shaped fruits per cluster. Laterals that have fruited must be removed and replaced with new branches, as they will produce fewer fruits in the following year.
Your Tree Tomato, Tamarillo, should start to produce fruits after about 18 months. Should there be no fluctuation in temperature, Tamarillo’s are likely to fruit throughout the year.
This small oval to egg-shaped fruit has a pointy end averaging six cms in diameter and about eight cms in length. The skin is smooth glossy and thin, ripening from an orange-gold colour to a muted red-brown when mature.
The flesh has a semi-firm, orange colour with a succulent consistency. Inside this flesh are two chambers filled with a soft pulp, housing many thin edible black seeds. Biting into the fruit will reveal a tart flavour with tangy acidic notes. The skin is sometimes discarded before eating.
As Tamarillo fruits containa lot of pectin, they are good to preserve. They are versatile and can be eaten raw, made into the most delicious tomato juice, jams, stews, etc.
Position:
Tamarillo plants do not like frost, please ensure you cover them with frost cover if planting in a cold winter climate.
Tamarillo Tree Tomatoes should be planted in partial shade, not direct sunlight. Dappled shade from a large tree would be ideal.
Mulching:
Add a thick layer of pine bark mulch, keeping it about 20 to 30 centimetres away from the tree trunk (any closer may cause excess moisture and damage the trunk). This will retain the moisture in the soil and will prevent weeds from taking over.
Fertilise:
For young trees, apply one teaspoon of our slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser every 4 months. Mature trees can be fed with a fruit tree fertiliser each summer.
Pests and Diseases:
Aphids, citrus psylla, red scale, citrus greening. Spraying regularly with our Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control) will assist in either prevention, or after the fact. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the tree with a harsh hosing, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control.
Practice good garden hygiene (remove fallen fruit and leaves).
Watch for root rot (if overwatered) and fungal infections during wet periods.
Pruning:
Pruning is necessary to ensure good fruit yield and to limit uneven ripening.
Harvesting:
Harvest using scissors, leaving 2-3cm of the stem still attached for more extended storage.
Fruits can be refrigerated for up to 10 weeks; however, discolouration may occur should temperatures dip below 3 degrees.
