Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato"

bananarama2 · 09-29-2010, 04:45 PM

Since it is evident that a lot of members are not only banana crazy, but generally enjoy any interesting plant, I thought I'd submit the Tomatillo for consideration. Originating in Central America, they are closely related to tomatoes, in the family Solanum. Sometimes called Husk Tomatoes, they are physalis philadelphius, perennial within it's native climate, and very easy to grow, having cultural requirements similar to tomatoes. They should not be confused with a similar sounding plant of the same family, the Tamarillo, which is a shrubby tree also of Central and South American origin, widely grown as a Tomato Tree.

Both are very productive as fruiting plants in the landscape, and the tomatillo, in particular is very versatile in the ways it can be used. Each species has excellent entries on Wikipedia. Pictures of tomatillo can be viewed at banarama2's photo gallery, while the tamarillo can be found at the Hollyberry Lady's photo gallery.

Richard · 09-30-2010, 12:03 AM

If chili peppers and eggplants over-winter in your garden, then I recommend you grow naranjilla -- if only for looks, and if the fruit sets then all the better.
Solanum quitoense - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LilRaverBoi · 09-30-2010, 12:04 AM

Mmmmm.....make yourself some salsa verde! I used to help grow these for years when I worked at the CSA (community sustained agriculture) back when I was growing up! Very cool plant.

The Hollyberry Lady · 09-30-2010, 12:16 AM

Thanks for this great thread, Rik!

I'm growing Tamarillo from seed but this is it's first season and I'm told it won't produce until next year. Here's some shots I took of mine today in my garden...

Love the purple center where the leaves sprout from...

Gonna bring it inside before frost.

I'm growing the red fruit variety but I also have seeds for the yellow one too. I find it to be a very attractive and appealing sort of plant and I can't wait to see the flowers, followed by the fruits...

: )

bananarama2 · 09-30-2010, 03:03 PM

Sure is a lush, tropical looking plant!

bananarama2 · 09-30-2010, 03:22 PM

Thanks Richard, but unfortunately, the bane of the West Coast here is at least three months of wet weather. Great for giant trees like cedars, not so good for some tropicals, which have a tough time with fungus problems. And wouldn't you know it, members of the Solanum family are some of my favorite plants! So, I grow them as much as ornamentals as anything (a purple leaf potato in a planter can generate an amazing number of compliments). But thanks for the suggestion.

09-29-2010, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
bananarama2 bananarama2's Photo Gallery Location: The drier, sunny East Coast of the West Coast, on Vancouver Island Find me on the map! Zone: 8a to 8b (?) Name: Rik Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 15,502 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 102 Times Was Thanked 221 Times in 96 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato" Since it is evident that a lot of members are not only banana crazy, but generally enjoy any interesting plant, I thought I'd submit the Tomatillo for consideration. Originating in Central America, they are closely related to tomatoes, in the family Solanum. Sometimes called Husk Tomatoes, they are physalis philadelphius, perennial within it's native climate, and very easy to grow, having cultural requirements similar to tomatoes. They should not be confused with a similar sounding plant of the same family, the Tamarillo, which is a shrubby tree also of Central and South American origin, widely grown as a Tomato Tree. Both are very productive as fruiting plants in the landscape, and the tomatillo, in particular is very versatile in the ways it can be used. Each species has excellent entries on Wikipedia. Pictures of tomatillo can be viewed at banarama2's photo gallery, while the tamarillo can be found at the Hollyberry Lady's photo gallery. __________________ If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

09-30-2010, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato" If chili peppers and eggplants over-winter in your garden, then I recommend you grow naranjilla -- if only for looks, and if the fruit sets then all the better. Solanum quitoense - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

09-30-2010, 12:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 160,325 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato" Mmmmm.....make yourself some salsa verde! I used to help grow these for years when I worked at the CSA (community sustained agriculture) back when I was growing up! Very cool plant. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

09-30-2010, 12:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato" Thanks for this great thread, Rik! I'm growing Tamarillo from seed but this is it's first season and I'm told it won't produce until next year. Here's some shots I took of mine today in my garden... Love the purple center where the leaves sprout from... Gonna bring it inside before frost. I'm growing the red fruit variety but I also have seeds for the yellow one too. I find it to be a very attractive and appealing sort of plant and I can't wait to see the flowers, followed by the fruits... : )

09-30-2010, 03:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
bananarama2 bananarama2's Photo Gallery Location: The drier, sunny East Coast of the West Coast, on Vancouver Island Find me on the map! Zone: 8a to 8b (?) Name: Rik Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 15,502 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 102 Times Was Thanked 221 Times in 96 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Re: Tomatillos, the Mexican "little tomato" Sure is a lush, tropical looking plant! __________________ If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

09-30-2010, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
bananarama2 bananarama2's Photo Gallery Location: The drier, sunny East Coast of the West Coast, on Vancouver Island Find me on the map! Zone: 8a to 8b (?) Name: Rik Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 15,502 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 102 Times Was Thanked 221 Times in 96 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Naranjilla, and other things solanum Thanks Richard, but unfortunately, the bane of the West Coast here is at least three months of wet weather. Great for giant trees like cedars, not so good for some tropicals, which have a tough time with fungus problems. And wouldn't you know it, members of the Solanum family are some of my favorite plants! So, I grow them as much as ornamentals as anything (a purple leaf potato in a planter can generate an amazing number of compliments). But thanks for the suggestion. __________________ If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

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