Fruit Facts from
the
California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
Tamarillo
Cyphomandra betacea Sent.
Solanaceae
Common Names:
Tamarillo, Tree Tomato, Arbol de Tomate.
Related Species:
Casana (Cyphomandra casana), Mountain Tomato (C. crassifolia), Guava
Tamarillo (C. fragrans).
Distant
Affinity: Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopsersicum), Mexican
Husk Tomato, Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa), Cape Gooseberry (P.
peruviana), Pepino Dulce (Solanum muricatum), Naranjilla (S.
quitoense), Cocona (S. sessiliflorum).
Origin:
The tamarillo is generally believed to be native to the Andes of Peru
and probably also, Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia. It is cultivated and
naturalized in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. It is widely
grown in New Zealand as a commercial crop. Seed from Argentina were
imported by the U.S.Dept. of Agriculture in 1913 and a plant was
fruiting at the Plant Introduction Station at Chico, Calif. in 1915.
Adaptation:
The tamarillo is a subtropical rather than tropical and flourishes
between 5,000 and 10,000 ft. in its Andean homeland. In cooler climates
it succeeds at lower elevations, but does best where the temperature
remains above 50° F.
The plant is grown casually in California and occasionally in Florida.
Tamarillos have been successfully grown in such northern California
locations as San Rafael and Santa Rosa. Frost at 28° F kills
small branches and foliage of mature trees but not the largest branches
and main stem. The tree will recover if such frosts are not prolonged
or frequent. However, seedlings and cuttings are readily killed by
frost during their first year.
Protection from wind is necessary as the tree is shallow rooted and
easily blown over. It is also brittle and its branches are easily
broken by gusts, especially when laden with fruit. Tamarillos have been
grown as housesplants for years. They fruit satisfactorily in northern
greenhouses.
Description
Growth Habit:
The tamarillo is a small, attractive, half-woody, evergreen or
partially deciduous, shrub or small tree. It is also brittle and
shallow-rooted, growing to a height of 10 to 18 ft. (rarely as much as
25 ft.).
Foliage:
The alternate, evergreen leaves are muskily odorous and more or less
heart-shaped at the base and ovate, pointed at the apex. They are 4 to
13-1/2 inches long and 1-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches broad, thin, softly hairy,
with conspicuous veins. The leaves are fairly easily tattered by strong
winds.
Flowers:
The fragrant 1/2 to 3/4 inch flowers are borne in small, loose clusters
near the branch tips. They have 5 pale pink or lavender, pointed lobes,
5 prominent yellow stamens and green-purple calyx. Tamarillo flowers
are normally self-pollinating. If wind is completely cut off so as not
to stir branches, this may adversely affect pollination unless there
are bees to transfer the pollen. Unpollinated flowers will drop
prematurely. Flowers are usually borne in late summer or fall, but may
appear at any time.
Fruit:
The long-stalked, dangling fruit, borne singly or in clusters of 3 to
12, is smooth egg-shaped but pointed at both ends. It ranges in size
from 2 to 4 inches long and 1-1/2 to 2 inches in width. Skin color may
be solid deep purple, blood red, orange or yellow, or red and yellow,
and may have faint dark longitudinal stripes. Flesh color varies
accordingly from orange-red or orange to yellow or cream-yellow. While
the skin is somewhat tough and unpleasant in flavor, the outer layer of
the flesh is slightly firm, succulent and bland, and the pulp
surrounding the seed in two lengthwise compartments is soft, juicy, and
sweet/tart. The yellow types are usually a little sweeter. The pulp is
black in dark purple and red fruits and yellow in yellow and orange
fruits. The edible seeds are thin, nearly flat, circular, larger and
harder than those of the true tomato.
Culture
Location:
The tamarillo is small enough and attractive enough to fit into many
parts of the home landscape as long as the site is well-drained. They
grow best in full sun except in hot, dry situations, where partial
shade is better. They need protection from strong winds.
Soil:
Tamarillos require a fertile, light soil that is rich in organic
matter. Perfect drainage is also necessary. Water standing for even a
few days may kill the plant. Because of the shallow root system, deep
cultivation is not possible, but light cultivation to eliminate weeds
is acceptable.
Irrigation:
The plant cannot tolerate prolonged drought and must have ample water
during dry periods. A mulch is very beneficial in conserving moisture
at such times.
Fertilization:
Recommended fertilizer applications is 0.5 to 2 lbs. per tree of 5:6:6
NPK. Half of this should be applied in early spring and the other half
in midsummer. A late winter application of superposphate every other
year at the rate of 0.5 lb. per tree is also beneficial.
Pruning:
Newly planted tamarillos should be pruned to a height of 3 to 4 ft. to
encourage branching. Yearly pruning thereafter is advisable to
eliminate branches that have already fruited and to induce ample new
shoots close to the main branches, since fruit is produced on new
growth. Pruning also aids in harvesting, and if timed properly can
extend the total fruiting period.
Frost
Protection: Although tamarillos can tolerate a few degrees
of frost, they do best (and look their best) under frost-free
conditions. In areas where frost may be a problem, providing them with
some overhead protection or planting them next to a wall or a building
may be sufficient. The smallish plants are also fairly easy to cover
during cold snaps by placing carpeting, plastic sheeting, etc. over a
frame around them. Potted specimens can be moved to a frost-secure area.
Propagation:
Seeds and cuttings may be used for propagation. Seeds produce a
high-branched, erect tree, while cuttings develop into a shorter, bushy
plant with low-lying branches. The tree does not always come true from
seed, but is most likely to if one is careful to take seed from red
fruits with black seed pulp or yellow fruits with yellow seed pulp.
Germination is accelerated by placing washed and dried seed in a
freezer for 24 hours before planting out. Cuttings should be of 1 to 2
year-old wood 3/8 to 1 inch thick and 18 to 30 inches long. The leaves
are removed and the base cut square below a node. Cuttings can be
planted directly in the ground, but should not be permitted to fruit
the first year.
Pest and
Diseases: The tamarillo is generally regarded as
pest-resistant, although they are occasionally attacked by green
aphids, and fruit flies will attack the fruit in areas where that is a
problem. Nematodes are also a potential problem. The principal disease
is powdery mildew, which may cause serious defoliation if not
controlled. The plant is noted for its resistance to tobacco mosaic
virus, though it is susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and potato
virus. Die-back, of unknown origin, at times is lethal to the flowers,
fruit cluster, twigs and new shoots. Potted plants grown inside should
be watched for the common house plant pests, such as mealybugs, cottony
scale and white flies.
Harvest:
Tamarillos are ready to harvest when they develop the yellow or red
color characteristic of the particular variety. To harvest, simply pull
the fruit from the tree with a snapping motion, leaving the stem
attached. The fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10
weeks, but temperatures below 38° F can cause the skin to
discolor. Ripe tamarillos may be merely cut in half lengthwise,
sprinkled with sugar (and chilled if you like) and served for eating by
scooping out the flesh and pulp.
The fruit should not be cut on a wooden or other permeable surface, as
the juice will make an indelible stain. For other purposes, the skin
must be removed, which is easily done by pouring boiling water over the
fruit and letting it stand for 4 minutes before peeling.
Cultivars
Ecuadorian Orange
Fruit is medium orange in color, the size of a large hen's egg. Pulp
light orange, creamy in texture, less acid than the Ruby Red. Excellent
for eating out of hand and also suited for culinary purposes.
Goldmine
A superior cultivar originating in New Zealand and recently introduced.
Very large golden-yellow fruit with golden, highly flavored flesh, less
bland than Solid Gold, but not acidic. Has superb earing qualities.
Inca Gold
A yellow-fruited cultivar said to be less acid than the red types. When
cooked the fruit is said to resemble the apricot in flavor.
Oratia Red
A large fruited red cultivar, oval to rounded in shape, with a sharp
acid flavor. Good quality for eating out of hand and excellent for jams
and preserves.
Rothamer
Unusual large fruit, over 3 ounces. Skin bright red. Flesh
golden-yellow, flavor sweet and exotic. Seeds dark red. Ripen from
December to April. Delicious eaten out of hand. Vigorous and heavy
bearing plant. Originated in San Rafael, Calif.
Ruby Red
Large, brilliant red fruit. Pulp dark red, tart and flavorful. Fair for
eating out of hand, but very good for culinary use. If allowed to ripen
for one to three weeks after picking, they will become less acid. The
standard cultivar grown for export in New Zealand.
Solid Gold
Large, oval shaped fruit. Skin golden-orange in color. Pulp soft, less
acidic in flavor than Oratia Red. Very good for eating out of hand,
with acceptable culinary qualities.
Yellow
Fruits the size and shape of a large plum. Skin yellowish orange. Flesh
yellow, with a milder flavor than the red types. The yellow form is the
oldest in cultivation in New Zealand.
Further
Reading
Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong
Publications, 1990. 204-208.
Heiser, Charles B. Jr. The Fascinating World of the Nightshades. Dover
Publications, 1987. Republication of 1969 edition. pp. 111-115.
Morton, Julia F. Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative Resources Systems,
Inc. 1987. pp. 437-440.
Ortho Books. All About Citrus and Subtropical Fruits. Chevron Chemical
Co. 1985. pp. 70-71.
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© Copyright 1969-1989 California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
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