To get a delicious harvest, Tamarillo Plant Care is essential. Consider growing a tree tomato if you want to add something a little more exotic to your environment. In fact, there are several varieties of this plant that you can choose from. Knowing how to grow tamarillos and take care of them will afford you favorable yields if they are well-maintained.
Because of how much the fruits of the tamarillo tree resemble tomatoes, it is also known as the tree tomato. In actuality, this tree is a member of the nightshade family, just as the common garden tomatoes are. Although these two species are related, the tree species is quite different from the varieties of tomatoes that are frequently grown in gardens.
Tomato plants are vines with weak stems that sprawl and frequently require assistance. Although they are grown as annuals, indeterminate plants are perennials in their natural environment. Learn more about this fascinating plant and how to grow a tamarillo tomato tree by reading on.
Do Tomatoes Grow On Trees?
Yes, tomatoes do grow on trees. Every year, a new generation of garden tools or plants enters the market. The tomato tree or tamarillo is one of the most recent. Therefore learning about tamarillo plant care before obtaining one will save you a lot of trouble. However, these trees are quite simple to grow but need a lot of room to spread out.
Remember that not all tomato cultivars can be planted as trees. For optimum results, try growing indeterminate vining species. You might be astonished to learn that, with proper training and care, these perennial shrubs can reach heights of 8 to10 feet. Also, the tree bears fruit from blossoms after three months if it is planted in the right area.
However, annual vines called tomato plants bear fruit in a matter of weeks rather than months. The flesh of the tamarillo is orange on the inside and contains tiny, delicious, black seeds. The flavor of the tree tomato is quite potent and strong with a touch of sweetness. Although the skin is often eaten, it is an acquired taste because of its extreme bitterness.
What is a Tamarillo?
We are often asked what is a tree tomato or tamarillo. The tamarillo is a South American native plant of the Andean highlands. This indicates that the plant is adapted to areas close to the equator where temperatures are generally consistent throughout the year. It is a tree with a shrubby, heavily branched crown that resembles an umbrella. The tree tomato can reach heights of up to six meters in its natural environment.
Because this plant is not winter resistant, it is typically grown in pots in some regions. In addition to the fruits that give it its name, the leaves of the tamarillo are another eye-catching characteristic. This is because it can grow up to 25cm long with oval to heart-shaped leaves that have a beautiful appeal. Although it is a lesser-known shrub in many areas, it is actually a beautiful addition to the environment.
This perennial gets its name from the tiny, plum-tomato-like fruit that finally develops from its blossoms. Although the fruits of growing tree tomatoes can differ they have a much bitterer flavor than the typical ones. The skin is also tougher, and the hues can range from yellow to red or even purple depending on the variety.
Fruits should only be harvested or consumed when fully ripe which is indicated by the variety’s color as unripened fruits are also marginally poisonous. To get the most out of your plant, ensure that you implemented the best tamarillo plant care strategies listed in this article.
Growing Tamarillo Trees
With the right conditions, growing a tamarillo tree is very simple. Although some tree tomatoes can withstand temperatures as low as 28 F, other varieties may not survive these extremes. Tamarillo plant care is vital as these perennials thrive best in regions where the temperature stays above 50 F. However, even in ideal circumstances, a tree tomato only lives for around four years on average.
Here are a few tips to help you grow these exotic tamarillo plants:
- In order to bring it inside for the winter if you wish to cultivate a tree tomato in a colder location, you will need to maintain it in a container.
- Tree tomatoes may grow in a variety of soil types as long as they have good drainage. However, a compost-enriched growing medium produces the best results.
- Although it can be grown in locations with some partial shade in hotter climes, the tree tomato also requires placement in full sun.
- Due to these plants’ weak roots, proper wind protection may also be required.
- Although seeds can be used for propagation, cuttings are preferred.
- Additional plants should be spaced 6 to 10 feet apart to avoid crowding.
- Depending on the variety, their egg-shaped fruits start out green throughout growth and change orange to dark crimson when ripe.
Tamarillo Plant Care Tips
Growing tree tomatoes require similar maintenance to tomato plants. Moving your tamarillo into its well-lit winter location before it becomes chilly is a great step for overwintering. Keep in mind that this plant thrives in the right conditions with the correct temperatures.
Also, they shed the majority of their leaves during the colder season so you should beware. Efficiently implementing the tamarillo plant care tips below will give you happy and healthy trees all year through.
Tips:
1. Throughout the winter season, the tamarillo tree does not require fertilization.
2. Although the root ball shouldn’t entirely dry up, frequent watering is typically not required during the cold season.
3. Your tree will require mulching which is beneficial for retaining moisture.
4. When planting, bone meal should be added along with a balanced fertilizer that should be applied every three months.
5. For these trees to retain their size in small gardens and keep up their appearance, annual pruning is advised. In immature trees, pruning can also promote branching.
6. Even though they rarely experience issues, tamarillo trees may contract aphid or fruit fly infestations. Either of these pests can be controlled by applying neem oil to the trees. 7. Another problem that could arise in trees where there is crowding or high humidity is powdery mildew.
8. Shorten the intervals between fertilizations if you see an increase in the number of yellow leaves, especially during the primary growing season.
Find out more about the fabulous tamarillo in this informative video.
Conclusion
Tomato trees are easy to grow and maintain as long as your plant is provided with the correct environment. It is advisable to preserve the seeds from mature fruits in order to start a tamarillo plant from seed. These black seeds should be allowed to dry for one to two days before planting in seedling soil. Alternatively, you could take a cutting with one leaf from a sturdy, robust shoot that is to grow tamarillo plants.
Early summer is the best time to do this because the plant grows quickly at this time, giving the cuttings plenty of time to establish roots before winter. The fresh cuttings should be placed in moist potting soil without allowing them to dry out. They should also be covered with a piece of cling film with a few small holes to prevent dehydration. Depending on the region it’s growing in, the tree tomato’s fruits ripen around late summer to autumn.
The delectable fruits are ready for harvesting when they have developed their usual orange to dark red color and slightly give when pushed. The crux of maintaining this perennial is to ensure that tamarillo plant care is effectively implemented. Additionally, when transplanting, use an organic fertilizer to suit the high nutrient requirements for the best results. Here’s more information about the promising fruit tree tomato.