{"product_id":"bernardellos-jaltomate-jaltomata-bernardelloana-seltenes-naschobst-aus-den-hochlagen-perus","title":"Bernardello's Jaltomate (Jaltomata bernardelloana) - Rare snack fruit from the highlands of Peru","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel md-content enable-luminous-fast-follows enable-updated-hr-color stronger\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_c3b63d712b4f150e\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReady for dispatch from 05.10.26\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eJaltomata 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eScope of delivery: \u003c\/b\u003e10 seeds each\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of sowing tips:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003ePre-treatment: Soak the fine seeds in lukewarm water for about 24 hours before sowing.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003ePre-cultivation: Possible indoors all year round, but ideally from February\/March for strong and early development in the summer.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eSowing 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).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eGermination temperature: A constant soil temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius is mandatory.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eGermination time: Often somewhat irregular; under optimal conditions, seedlings appear after 2 to 4 weeks.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eMoisture: Keep the substrate evenly slightly moist, but strictly avoid waterlogging.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecial features of the species:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth habit, location, and care:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eJaltomata 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit and ornamental value:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eAfter 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory and origin:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eJaltomata bernardelloana\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Pflanzenwelten Andre Heinek","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56302414201217,"sku":null,"price":3.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0931\/6332\/3777\/files\/Gemini_Generated_Image_ay5qklay5qklay5q.jpg?v=1789906382","url":"https:\/\/pflanzenwelten-heinek.de\/en\/products\/bernardellos-jaltomate-jaltomata-bernardelloana-seltenes-naschobst-aus-den-hochlagen-perus","provider":"Pflanzenwelten Andre Heinek ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}