Bernardello's Jaltomate (Jaltomata bernardelloana) - Rare snack fruit from the highlands of Peru
€3,90
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Bernardello's Jaltomate (Jaltomata bernardelloana) - Rare snack fruit from the highlands of Peru
€3,90
Pickup available at Bei der Kirche 3
Usually ready in 24 hours
Ready for dispatch from 05.10.26
Jaltomata bernardelloana is an extremely rare, subshrubby curiosity from the nightshade family (Solanaceae). With its striking, vibrant violet flowers and bright orange berries, it offers an extraordinary contrast. For collectors and enthusiasts of exotic Andean plants, this rarely cultivated species is an absolute specialty for the conservatory or the terrace.
Scope of delivery: 10 seeds each
Overview of sowing tips:
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Pre-treatment: Soak the fine seeds in lukewarm water for about 24 hours before sowing.
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Pre-cultivation: Possible indoors all year round, but ideally from February/March for strong and early development in the summer.
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Sowing depth: Place seeds very shallowly (about 0.2 to 0.5 cm deep) in loose, sterile seed-starting substrate and press down lightly (tendency to be light-dependent germinators).
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Germination temperature: A constant soil temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius is mandatory.
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Germination time: Often somewhat irregular; under optimal conditions, seedlings appear after 2 to 4 weeks.
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Moisture: Keep the substrate evenly slightly moist, but strictly avoid waterlogging.
Special features of the species:
Unlike its close relatives in the genus Physalis, the berries of Jaltomata do not form a papery lantern. Instead, the fruits sit freely on an often slightly enlarged calyx. The heavily hairy, egg-shaped leaves and, above all, the intensely purple to violet-colored flowers—a true rarity in this South American plant group—make this species an absolute eye-catcher.
Growth habit, location, and care:
Jaltomata bernardelloana grows as a herbaceous to slightly woody, upright subshrub that can easily reach heights of 1 to 2 meters in one season. It thrives best in a full sun, warm, and wind-protected location. Since this Andean plant is extremely sensitive to waterlogging, optimal drainage in the root area is vital for survival. The substrate should be structurally stable and excellently ventilated. A precise mixture of potting soil with high-quality mineral additives such as pumice, zeolite, lava, and some vermiculite ensures the ideal ratio of water retention and oxygen supply. In the cold season, the frost-sensitive plant must be overwintered in a bright and cool place (at about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius), with watering significantly reduced. Alternatively, it can also be easily cultivated as an annual.
Fruit and ornamental value:
After the flowering period, small, round berries develop, which turn a bright orange color when ripe. As with many representatives of this South American genus, the fruits are considered edible and are reminiscent of small cherry tomatoes or cape gooseberries without their husk. However, due to the extreme rarity of this specific species, the high ornamental value of the violet flowers and the exotic habit are usually the focus of cultivation in our latitudes.
History and origin:
Jaltomata bernardelloana specifically originates from the province of Otuzco (La Libertad region) in northwestern Peru. It grows there as a highly endemic plant in the humid, cool altitudes of the Andes at around 2,500 to over 3,000 meters. Outside of its tiny, natural habitat in Otuzco, this rarity is virtually unknown in commercial assortments worldwide.