Family: Solanaceae
Scientific name: Cyphomandra betacea
Common name: Tamarillo / Tree tomato
Origin: Andes

The tamarillo or tree tomato provides 10 cm large and 100g heavy fruits which indeed resemble tomatoes. The colour to red on ripening and have yellow flesh. When they are cut in halve, they can be scooped (add sugar optionally) or processed just like tomatoes in dishes. The species originates from the Andes, on an altitude between 1.000 and 3.000 meters high. New Zealand was the first country to commercially exploit the species, and launched the trade name “tamarillo”.
The species can be kept as a container plant, with a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius. 

Sowing description: Sow seeds in sowing mix and let them germinate at 20-25 degrees Celcius. Keep the soil constantly moist. 

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 7 degrees Celcius

Photo 1: Valentine.gr
Photo 2: Liseron du Clavier