Tamarillos easy to grow at home

Tamarillos are easy to grow in Whanganui.

Tamarillos or tree tomatoes have long been a favourite of mine.

They are always expensive at the supermarket and are only available for a limited time each year. Fruiting time is winter, from May to July, and this can be a time of year when fruit and vegetables can be more expensive to purchase.

The red varieties tend to be tart and a sprinkling of sugar can be needed, while the yellow varieties are sweeter. There is a new variety available called Tamarillo Mulligan, which has a red skin and red flesh with a full acidic flavour.

Tamarillos are fast growing small trees which will fruit in their second year, reaching full production capacity around four years from planting. They are relatively short lived with an average tree fruiting for around 7-12 years before giving up.

They can be propagated easily in the home garden by cuttings or from seed collected from the fruit. Seed-raised trees tend to grow straight up with a single leader which is best chopped to encourage a lower branching canopy, whereas cutting-grown varieties seem to have a natural tendency to branch lower down.

All tamarillos are self fertile so you can plant just one plant, though cross pollination by having more than one plant can increase the crop size. The growth habit is a fast growing tree with large heart shaped leaves that are soft and hairy. Size - 3m x 2m.

When looking to plant a tamarillo tree there are four varieties grown by Incredible Edibles which perform particularly well and have good sized fruit.

* Tamarillo Bold Gold: Clusters of pink fragrant flowers appear in spring within 18 months from planting, followed by large golden fruit which is sweet and less acidic than the red varieties.

* Tamarillo Teds Red: Clusters of pink fragrant flowers appear in spring within 18 months from planting, followed by large almost round bright red fruit.

* Tamarillo Tango: Clusters of pink fragrant flowers appear in spring within 18 months from planting, followed by medium sized red/orange fruit. Very sweet and low acidity. Produced and marketed by Incredible Edibles in association with Plant & Food Research - available in garden centres.

* Tamarillo Mulligan: Cluster of pink fragrant flowers appear in spring within 18 months from planting, followed by medium dark red fruit. Dark red on the inside and outside. Full acidic flavour.

Some people love them, while others detest them, but tamarillos can be used in a wide range of different meal options. They are most commonly eaten raw where they are cut in half and eaten with a teaspoon - much like a kiwifruit.

Tamarillos are also delicious cooked on toast, made into fruit pies, chutneys, sauces, used on cheesecakes, stewed with apple, added to salad greens and I'm sure there are other uses too.

When planting a tamarillo tree site selection is important. The most successful growing situation will be sunny, well drained, as frost free as possible and sheltered from the wind. They are shallow rooted and benefit being staked.

Tamarillos can be susceptible to mildew and whitefly which can be controlled by Yates Fungus Fighter and Yates Mavrik. This insect spray will also protect against infection from the tomato/potato psylid.

It is beneficial to water well during the dry summer months where the new growth formed is the basis for the winter harvest. Feed tamarillo trees in spring before pruning, a second feed a month after pruning and a third feed in February to aid fruit development. Good fertiliser to use is Tui Citrus Food or Novatec.

The two biggest enemies are frost and wind. Although not quite as hardy as citrus they can generally be grown in areas where citrus is grown. In Whanganui they grow readily in the many frost-free pockets, and with winter frost protection where frost is heavier.

Where there is frost, tamarillos will be naturally pruned. Where no frost occurs pruning should be undertaken in spring. Fruit forms on new spring growth so a hard prune will help maintain the shape of the plant as well as maximise the fruiting potential for the following year. On plants that have sustained some frost damage, remove any dead, damaged or old wood during spring after danger of further frosts has passed.

Tamarillos rate well as a source of dietary antioxidants compared to other common fruits and vegetables. They do not contain as much vitamin C as berry fruit or citrus but rate much higher than other more commonly eaten fruit, such as apples and bananas. They rank significantly higher than apples, apricots, grapes, oranges and pears, but lower than black currants, blueberries and strawberries.

Passionfruit

Another subtropical favourite is passion fruit. They like a similar growing situation to tamarillos but are a climbing plant. The most ideal site is a north facing wall with some sort of climbing frame provided for the tendrils to attach themselves to.

Passion fruit are heavy feeders and benefit from regular applications of Citrus Fertiliser and if the soil is poor then the use of organic based Ican Vegetable Food will help to improve soil structure as well as feeding the plant. They are not wind hardy so need protection from cold winds and do not grow well in salty maritime locations.

While they are relatively frost tender, they will grow back from the base if burnt lightly from frost. It is important vines are well watered during summer, particularly while the plants are young and also in late summer when fruits are maturing. Be aware that any water logging will rot these plants. If you have a heavy soil, plant in a mound to make sure there is good drainage.

If you want to add tropical flavour to your garden and plate, give growing one of these plants a go.

Have a good week
Gareth Carter is General Manager of Springvale Garden Centre.