In nature, the tree tomato grows without any pruning, but this is not recommended for garden or container cultivation. Cutting according to the calendar is not necessary either. You can prune the tamarillo as desired.
When and how should you cut a tree tomato?
Tree tomatoes should be trimmed as necessary to keep the plant bushy and compact. Pruning encourages the formation of side shoots and flowers. Use clean, sharp tools and dust the interfaces with carbon powder or ash to prevent fungal infestation.
When is pruning necessary?
Pruning is often necessary because the tree tomato becomes too large for the winter quarters. Since it hardly ever takes a cut seriously, you can shorten the plant if necessary without any problems. The same applies to sick shoots. These should be removed immediately. A leafless shoot, on the other hand, may remain standing. As a rule, it sprouts again.
Occasionally it is also useful to cut back some of the tamarillo leaves. The fruits need light to ripen. If they are shaded by the leaves, then you can certainly help without having to fear damage to the plant.
What does cutting back the tamarillo do?
Pruning stimulates the formation of side shoots, so the plant becomes bushy and compact. If your tamarillo only grows as a single shoot with no branches, you should definitely cut the plant back. Otherwise you may wait in vain for the first flowers. These are only visible on the leaf axils of the side shoots.
If you planted your tree tomato in the garden and overwintered there, some shoot tips and/or leaves may have frozen. Cut them off just in the he althy wood and wait for the new shoots. However, the tree tomato cannot withstand longer periods of frost and temperatures that are too low.
What should I pay attention to when cutting the tamarillo?
As recommended for any plant pruning, only use clean and sharp tools for pruning. Otherwise, the pruned shoot occasionally begins to rot or suffers from fungal infection. Then another cut is necessary. Sprinkle the cut surface with a little charcoal powder or ash to avoid these consequences.
The most important things in brief:
- very cut-friendly
- Pruning promotes branching and flower formation
- only use clean tools
- If necessary, dust the interface with carbon powder or ash (inhibits fungal infestation)
- if necessary cut off leaves so that fruits ripen
Tip
The Tamarillo only blooms in the leaf axils of its side shoots. Without pruning it can take a long time until the first flowers bloom.
