Tamarillo Tree….. Cyphomandra betacea

Tamarillo Tree….. Cyphomandra Betacea 

Here is your opportunity to grow something very different and worthwhile. Forget conventional ways of growing tomatoes with this species that is exclusive to ourselves. Unlike ordinary tomatoes you can use the fruit not only like tomato but like plums in desserts and pies. It makes delicious jam too. Although it looks much like a medium-sized tomato, the tree tomato is not a true tomato. Tasting somewhat like a tomato, it is usually eaten with sugar or boiled to make a popular and refreshing drink. An extremely fast growing shrub to 2-3m. Flowers are self-pollinating, and tree tomatoes may bear from seed in just over a year. Although it does better in climates where the temperature stays above 50F, the tree tomato is subtropical and will bear fruit in cooler climates. Hardy to 25F. Requires lots of water and good drainage- -standing water will kill the plant in just a few days. Makes an excellent container plant in cold climates. Propagating Cyphomandra Betacea from seed is quite straight forward.  Surface sow the seeds on sterile compost.  If germinated in cool conditions, the initial growth rate is a bit slow.   For this reason it is better to wait until early spring before sowing seeds. Water the newly germinated tree tomato seedlings sparingly at first. The stems are prone to rot if over watered.   This can also happen to more mature plants growing in the ground.  If watering is withheld the plant will usually recover. Cyphomandra Betacea is equally happy in shade (not gloom) or sun,  but will grow larger in sunnier conditions.   As with most plants grown for the tropical effect, mix plenty of home-made compost and composted manure into the planting hole for best performance. Here you go folks, yet another suggestion from an Old Fart of a practical fruit for your garden….I have also planted 2 seeds of the yellow variety on 2 large pots. Let’s see how I go ?? ….Yummmm.