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.