Tamarillo Seeds — Tree Tomato

Tamarillo / Tree Tomato — Cyphomandra betacea

With the Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea) you grow the Tree Tomato from the Andes yourself. Already in year 2-3 it bears egg-shaped red-orange fruit with sweet-tangy exotic flavour — a mix of tomato and passion fruit. Up to 5-10 kg fruit per plant per season.

What's in the box

• 50 seeds Cyphomandra betacea — tested for germination
• Illustrated growing guide in 8 languages (on the seed card)
• Minimum shelf life: 2 years from packaging date

Growing in brief

• Prep: soak seeds 24 h in lukewarm water
• Sowing: in loose, moist seed compost
• Temperature: 22-25 °C
• Germination: 2-4 weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun to bright
• Humidity: moderate (50-70 %)
• Substrate: nutrient-rich, well-draining — houseplant compost + garden compost
• Watering: regular, plentiful during growth phase
• Feeding: every 2 weeks with tomato fertiliser during fruiting
• Wintering: Frost-tender — minimum 5 °C

Sowing date & timeline

The ideal sowing date depends on the plant type.

Indoors sowing is possible year-round if heat mat and grow light are available. January to April is optimal: after germination the seedling can grow vigorously through spring/summer before light declines in autumn.

Directly outdoors only for frost-hardy species and after mid-May. Frost-tender species should first be raised in pots indoors, then hardened off after mid-May before being placed outdoors.

Pot choice & transplanting

Pot size and transplanting evolve with the plant:

• Sowing: 6×6 cm seed tray per seed or tray pots. Use low-nutrient seed compost.
• Seedling: prick out at 2-3 true leaves into a 9 cm pot with nutrient-rich compost.
• Established: repot every 1-2 years into a pot 2-3 cm larger. Mature plants need 5-30 L pot volume depending on the species.

Tips & tricks

• Use a heat mat: bottom heat at 25 °C speeds germination by weeks
• Mini greenhouse: cover seed tray with a transparent lid or cling film — keeps humidity high
• Prefer fresh seed: the fresher the seed, the higher the germination rate — sow soon after delivery
• Place outdoors in summer — Tamarillo loves UV
• Frost-free in winter (5-10 °C is enough)
• Self-pollinating; gently shaking flower clusters boosts fruit set

Good to know

• Native range: Andes (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador), 1500-3000 m altitude
• Height: 5 m, in a pot 2-3 m
• Bears egg-shaped red-orange fruit with sweet-tangy flavour from year 2-3
• 5-10 kg fruit per plant per season possible
• Vitamin-C rich, used for juices, sauces and desserts in South America
• Fast-growing shrub — fruit-bearing within 1-2 years

Seed storage

Unopened or leftover Saflax seeds keep for 2 years if stored correctly. Keep dry, cool (vegetable drawer in fridge) and in the original packaging — moisture drastically reduces germination. Test germinability before each sowing: 5 seeds on moist kitchen paper in a covered plastic dish at 22-25 °C — if 4-5 germinate, the rest are reliable.

FAQs

How long does germination take?
Typically 2-4 at 22-25 °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
In summer yes, in a sheltered, semi-shaded position. Bring indoors before first frost, min. 5 °C in winter.

How fast does it grow?
Slow in the first year (establishment phase), then notably faster from year two with optimal care and the right position.

Do I need special tools?
A simple seed tray, compost and a bright position are enough. A heat mat (~CHF 30) and a mini greenhouse noticeably improve germination but are not mandatory.

What if seeds don't germinate?
Patience — many exotic species take 4-12 weeks. Check temperature (heat mat!), substrate moisture (evenly moist, never wet) and whether the seeds require stratification or scarification. Saflax seeds are tested for germination before dispatch.

Can I eat the fruit?
Yes, gladly — fresh they taste like a mix of tomato and passion fruit. Peel usually removed as it's bitter.

How long to first fruit?
2-3 years from sowing — one of the fastest fruit-bearing shrubs.

How best to store leftover seeds?
In the sealed original packet, dry and cool (vegetable drawer of fridge at 4-8 °C). Germinability is preserved through the full 2-year shelf life. Reseal immediately after opening and acclimatise to room temperature before sowing.