Foreign Friday. Volksvreemde Vrydag

Tamarillo/Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum)

The first thing I noticed when I bought my tree tomato in May 2013 was the pungent smell. Okay, to be honest; this is the real story... I desperately needed the bathroom after a visit to my favourite nursery. Luckily I had the cute little tamarillo (synonym for "tree tomato") to show for it, but I was worrying that the trip back to town would be just too long! Then suddenly the car was filled with an overwhelming ammonia scent. Oh please no! I thought for a split second that I had a minor case of the number ones in my trousers! Haha no; I didn't wet myself, but my brother had rubbed up against the tamarillo leave, which released the faintly revolting smell. That is the memory I will always associate with tree tomatoes.

Jun 2013 - The infant tamarillo/Baba boomtamatie

The little tamarillo tree did well all through our cold but temperate winter, although it grew more in leave size than height, but then...

Photo only used to indicate the tamarillo's height

... the tree shot up and reached for the sky! I could literally almost see it growing overnight during the spring of 2013 and summer of 2013/2014. It goes without saying - I was well chuffed!

And would you know it - within the space of one short year this happened:

Apr 2014 - Flowers and little tamarillo fruit/Blomme en klein boomtamatie vruggies

Here I am, middle spring 2014, and picking tree tomatoes like it's going out of fashion. I am over the moon with the growth rate and quantity of fruit produced by this great South American plant! Not even a year and a half on and I've already picked 1kg of fruit, with lots still ripening on the tree. Yay!!! 

Fat and juicy tamarillos/Smullekker boomtamaties

The only problems I've had with my tree tomato are water and wind. Yes, the elements don't always play along in a garden. The berg wind tried to destroy my tree a few times, maar 'n boer maak 'n plan, so I planted a thick dowel stick in next to it and tied the tree to it in two places. I used stockings and rubber to tie the tree with, so as not to chafe the soft stem. The water problem was partially due to the elements but mostly due to my infrequent watering. Note to self - when the tamarillo leaves turn yellowish it means the tree is too dry! Luckily a tree tomato is a very forgiving plant and snaps right back into tip top shape once properly fed and watered. 

Which plant or tree has really impressed in your garden these past few months? #SouthAfricanUrbanGardener

Botanical Name: SOLANUM BETACEUM

Common Name: Tree Tomato, Tamarillo

Volksnaam: Boomtamatie

Native to: Andes region in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Chile

Date planted/sowed: Late May 2013

Ease to grow: Extremely easy, fruits abundantly

Costs: R20.00 for the tree and about R20.00 for compost as well as R20.00 for manure

Notes: Plant in a spot where the tree is protected from strong winds as it is a top-heavy and fragile plant. Water well every second day in summer and regularly in winter during dry spells.