2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Many gardeners dream of harvesting ripe tomatoes all year round. Such a miracle is possible when using tsifomandra (tamarillo). It is popularly called the tomato tree
The southern plant cyfomandra is successfully grown in the middle lane in heated greenhouses, greenhouses, winter gardens, open ground. In the latter variant, the yield potential is not fully utilized.
The height in warm climates reaches 3-5 meters. The area occupied by the crown is within 10 square meters. The annual harvest from one "tree" is more than 12000 fruits, with a total weight of 1 ton. In the northern regions, the figures are much more modest. At home, the bushes do not exceed 2-2.5 meters.
Biological features
The structure of tamarillo is similar to ordinary tomatoes. A branched stem requires an obligatory garter to the support. Pinching of growth points, forms a dense crown, provides a greater flow of nutrients.
A powerful tap root system is overgrown with many additional roots. It provides the plant with moisture and nutrients.
Platinum leaves, wide with a light down, cover the stem. If the integrity of the leaf is violated, essential oils are released with a smell reminiscent of tomato tops.
The inflorescences are lilac or pale pink, depending on the variety, have a pleasant aroma. The plant is self-pollinating. Additional shaking of the bushes helps to get a larger crop.
The berries are the size of a chicken egg and weigh up to 30 grams. Their arrangement is wrist, 5-6 pieces each. The berries are two-chambered fleshy, the skin is dense. At home, to increase the size of products, excess ovaries are removed, leaving a maximum of 3-4 copies per brush.
By the color of the fruit, they are distinguished:
• orange;
• yellow;
• red;
• purple.
The first 2 varieties have the sweetest flavor, similar to ripe apricots.
Full fruiting occurs on a 1, 5 year old seedling. Flowers appear only on new shoots. Old twigs are pruned to stimulate the formation of fresh growths.
With long-term use to form a powerful bush up to 8 months of age, the inflorescences are removed. At this time, there is a build-up of green mass necessary for good fruiting.
Varieties
There are several varieties of tomarillo on the shelves of grocery stores:
1. Ruby Red. Differs in large red fruits. Imported from New Zealand. The bright red pulp has a slight sourness. Matures 2-3 weeks after harvest, while the amount of acid decreases.
2. Rotamer. Large-fruited variety with a bright red shell and golden inner flesh, unusual exotic, sweet taste. The bush is powerful, the harvest is large. These "tomatoes" are from California.
3. Inka Gold. Yellow-fruited variety, medium-sized harvest and sweet apricot flavor.
4. Solid Gold. Bright orange fruits with increased sweetness, tender pulp.
5. Octopus. A hybrid with red fruits. A powerful plant is able to braid the entire greenhouse frame.
Better conditions
Consider the technology of growing a tomato tree in an insulated glazed loggia.
For successful cultivation of tamarillo, a well-lit place of the southern or southeastern side is suitable. In winter, tall bushes need additional lighting. Lack of light affects poor fruiting, shedding of leaves, excessive stretching of shoots.
The volume of the substrate is not less than 10-15 liters initially. As it grows, it is increased to 45-60 liters. The optimal capacity is a wide, but not very deep tub.
Loose substrate with the addition of sand, sphagnum moss will allow the root system to "breathe". A drainage layer of small pebbles with holes in the bottom of the dishes will prevent the earthen clod from overmoistening and remove excess moisture. Prefers slightly acidic soil.
The tomato tree is a thermophilic plant. In winter, the room temperature should not drop below 16-18 degrees. A decrease to 10 degrees leads to a stop of growth, at 4 - young branches and leaves die off. If low temperatures are kept for a short time, then the plant restores its green mass due to dormant buds on the lignified parts of the stem. In winter, if necessary, the balcony is insulated, additional heating is provided.
We will consider the methods of breeding and caring for a tomato tree in the next article.
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