My Edible Fruit Trees: Tamarillo VIC

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling) ^5/10

Planted: 2022

Water Given in: Spring

Tamarillo - Orange

Planted: 2021

Height 1.5 Feet

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Tamarillo - Orange (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

UPDATE MAY 2020

These grow QUICK. Now well over 2m tall, has done extremely well, fruit have formed and almost ready for picking (starting to colour up now).  There would be around 14 full sized fruit on it at the moment, but probably another 30-40 flowers and other sized fruit. Unfortunately aphids seem to adore it, but given how fast it grows and the size of the leaves, I haven't used any controls aside from squishing as I've regularly seen ladybirds on there munching away.  Is relatively protected from wind down side of house almost under the eaves.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2019

Flowering! Lost a couple of leaves to heavy frost over Winter (I forgot to apply some protection) but excited it is flowering. Now about 1.8-1.9m tall.

UPDATE March 2019

Now in ground. Gets watered by watering system every few days. In ground next to well established Meyer lemon.

UPDATE January 2019

Had a couple of 40 degree  days which caused wilting but most leaves bounced back with deep watering. Cut the top off once it was a metre tall to encourage branching. Keeping the water up to it - easy to tell when it needs water as the huge leaves start to look a little relaxed. Considering moving out of pot into ground in protected position.

INITIAL October 2018

I love red tamarillos so thought I'd try growing the orange ones for something different. Growing well since September (spring).

Fruiting Months May, June, July

Planted: 2018

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 1.5 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pruned By: 20% in Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Manure, pea straw, lucerne, blood and bone

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control: Attracts aphids by the gazillions; I just squish what I can as the ladybirds flock to the tamarillo to eat.

Organic Status:Organic

Tamarillo - Red (Cutting) ^9/10

Planted: 2017

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Tamarillo - Red ^6/10

Comments: -

Originally started growing in a pot, but I couldn't get the drainage right as they hate wet feet.  I repotted a couple of times, and in the end gave up and gave it one last try in the ground.  It's a lot happier and grew quite rapidly over summer.  Needs to be sheltered from the wind, though, so I have surrounded it with stakes and clad the enclosing area in plastic. The tamarillo loves the protection from the wind and also the increased warmth. 

Has had some damage from frosts this winter (which can be seen in the photo).

UPDATE 2014: Gave up on this a couple of years ago as it was an aphid haven. Propagated a new plant from a cutting and gave to my father who now grows it in his backyard without too much problem, and produces lots of fruit.

Planted: 2008

Height 1.6 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 3 kilograms per Year

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Small snails are a problem and have consumed a large number of leaves.  I pick them off or use organic snail bait, but it doesn't work that well since the small snails tend to live up in the tree.

Occassionally aphid problems, which I ei&

Organic Status:Organic

Tamarillo - Red ^5/10

Comments: -

Struggles to hold most of its fruit

Height 3 metres

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

How do I help the plant hold more of its fruit?

Tamarillo - Red

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Tamarillo - Orange

Tamarillo - Red

Tamarillo - Red ^8/10

Planted: 2011

Tamarillo - Red ^9/10

Comments: -

- Planted in August 2010

- This has been growing extremely fast and has now (Dec 2011) dozens of small fruit on it

- Have had some problems with ants farming scale and aphids etc.

Planted: 2010

Height 3.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Seasol, Blood

Pest Control:

White oil

Question:

Tamarillo - Red (Cutting) ^7/10

Comments: -

These are so expensive to buy so I thought I'd grow one after reading they fruited within 18 months of planting. Still no fruit- about a year old, 2 metres high.

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost, dynamic lifter, seasol.

When I Fertilise: Yearly and Spring

Pest Control:

pyrethrum for aphids.

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

In which month should I expect fruit?

Tamarillo - Orange (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

Extemely fast growing. Mine has growing about 2 metres in 6 months since planting in the ground. Doesn't like really hot days.

Height 200 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Organic Status:Organic

tamarillo ^10/10

Comments: - Amazing fruit and very tasty. if left long enough on the tree they get very sweet. Expect 3-4 kgs of fruit off each tree as they mature. Cuttings are also very easy. Just cut 'n plant.

Fruiting Months February and March

Planted: 2007

Height 2 Centimetres

Fruit Harvest: 30 Fruit Per Year

Water Given in: Autumn

Tamarillo - Red

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

the tree produces hundreds of fruits, excellent quality and full of vitamin c

Fruiting Months May, June, July, August

Planted: 2007

Height 3.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 12 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Never

Pest Control:

nothing

Question:

I would like to know how to grow from seeds, this tree just grew into my garden obviously from a bird dropping. had no luck sprouting my own yet

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling)

Planted: 2009

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Tamarillo (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

They grow true to type from seed , I only grow the red variety, I find the yellow variety lacks flavour. After fruit has reached full colour do not be in a hurry to pick, wait for another 2 or 3 weeks to fully ripen , taste test frequently until ripe. I eat them fresh but I am told they are good cut in half lengthways, sprinkled with sugar and lightly grilled. The skin is bitter and should not be eaten. If blanched in hot water the skin can be slipped off.

Planted: 2005

Height 1.8 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Fruit Harvest: 12 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 2 Years from Seed

Water Given in: Autumn

Pruned By: 10% in Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

Confidor, When aphids are abundant usually 1 spray in a 12 mth period

Organic Status:Pesticides Used

tamarillos

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling)

Comments: - Young leaves partially burnt  on 38C days. Very fast growing but loves water.

Planted: 2009

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Tamarillo - Red

Pollination: No

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

Flowers susceptible to wind but other than that tree is very low maintenance.  Receives some water during hot spells.

Fruiting Months February, March, April, May

Planted: 2007

Height 2.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Fruit Harvest: 4 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting

Pest Control:

Pyrethrem used to ward off aphids.