It is one of the horticultural plants that attract the most attention. Unlike lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, etc. that do not grow more than a few tens of centimeters depending on the species, the Tree Tomato , as its name suggests, is an arboreal plant that can reach 4 meters in height.
It is not very well known yet, and it is a very demanding plant. Even so, in this blog from time to time we introduce you to a very rare or not at all common species. In this way, if one day you dare to cultivate it, you will know what you must take into account in order to carry it out.
The tree tomato, whose scientific name is Solanum betaceum , is a plant that is believed to be native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Today it is cultivated in various parts of the world, including southern Europe, Africa, the Andes and in Africa. It is a really very decorative species, with evergreen leaves, large up to 30cm in length, ovate in shape and dark green. The flowers develop in terminal clusters, measure 1.5cm in diameter, are pinkish-white in color and appear in spring-early summer.
The fruit is an ovoid berry about 4 to 8cm x 3 to 5cm. It has smooth skin, red or orange when ripe. It is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked to make juices, sweets and desserts. Its flavor is somewhat acidic, and they provide several minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron) and vitamins (A, C and E).
Now, what do you need to be able to develop properly?
- Temperatures between 13 and 24ºC.
- Sandy loam soils, with good drainage and rich in organic matter.
- Regular fertilization during the hottest months. Use organic fertilizers, such as manure or earthworm humus.
If you want to reproduce it, you can sow its seeds directly in pots with substrate for seedbeds or orchards, putting a maximum of 2 seeds in each one.
