Despite their name, tomatillos are not tomatoes, but rather belong to the Physalis family. However, in terms of planting and care, tomatillos are not very different from tomatoes. The fruit vegetables can be grown for several years if they are overwintered frost-free. Tips for planting.
What is the best way to grow tomatillos?
To plant tomatillos successfully, they need a sunny, warm and protected location, nutrient-poor soil and a climbing aid. The plants should be brought forward from February and only planted outdoors after the Ice Saints, with a planting distance of at least one meter.
Which location do tomatillos prefer?
- Sunny
- warm
- protected location
- Raising in beds or containers
What should the plant substrate be like?
Tomatillos prefer nutrient-poor soil. A peat-sand mixture is well suited and should be sterilized before planting to kill pathogens.
When is the best time to plant?
The non-hardy tomatillos are only allowed outside after the ice saints.
How large should the planting distance be?
The planting distance in the bed should not be less than one meter. If the tomatillos are grown in a container, they are planted individually.
Do tomatillos need a climbing aid?
The plants grow best if you plant them on a trellis. Alternatively, you can stretch a line over which you can simply place the fruit-bearing branches across.
Is it worth choosing tomatillos?
It takes up to 70 days for the fruits to ripen. It therefore makes sense to grow the plants under glass or on the windowsill from February onwards.
The seed has a germination inhibition, which is overcome by placing it in chamomile tea. The swollen seed is then sown immediately.
The small plants have to be pricked out several times and often repotted once.
When is the harvest time?
The first flower, the so-called royal flower, is pinched off if the plant is to branch heavily.
The fruits are ripe 50 to 70 days after pollination. The plant is self-sterile. So you always have to keep two plants. It may be necessary to do the pollination yourself using a brush.
The tomatillos are ripe when the seed coat typical of Physalis is bulging and bursts open.
How are tomatillos propagated?
Propagation occurs via seeds. However, this is very complex. It is therefore better to purchase seeds from specialist garden shops.
What plants do tomatillos get along with?
Tomatillos should be planted individually and not mixed.
Tip
Unlike tomatoes, for example, you don't have to exhaust tomatillos. A bushy growth habit is definitely desirable. Only if you want to harvest particularly large fruits should you cut the side shoots from the main trunk.