Dwarf Tamarillo/Brazilian Velvet Peach (Solanum abutiloides) - Seeds

The velvety little fruit for the pot

Scope of delivery: 20 seeds each

Bring tropical flair to your balcony or patio! This fascinating rarity grows rapidly into an imposing shrub and will spoil you with an exotic snacking experience as early as the first year.

Growth & Appearance

• Lifespan: Perennial (if overwintered in a frost-free environment).

• Height: Grows rapidly and reaches up to 2 m in height as a container plant.

• Habit: Forms a robust, spreading shrub. The absolute highlight is the enormous, heart-shaped leaves, which are densely covered in fine hairs and feel wonderfully soft (hence the name "velvet peach").

• Flowers & Fruit: Small, orange, edible fruits develop in dense clusters from decorative, star-shaped white flower panicles.

Origin The home of this plant lies in the high-altitude cloud and mountain forests of South America, particularly in the Andean regions of Argentina and Bolivia.

Ingredients As with all nightshade plants, the green leaves and unripe fruits contain the toxic alkaloid solanine. However, as soon as the berries are bright orange and give way slightly to gentle pressure, they are completely non-toxic. They then score with plenty of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals.

Usage

• In the kitchen: An exotic snack fruit! The small orange fruits have an intensely fruity, slightly tart taste reminiscent of a wild mix of apricot, passion fruit, and tomato. You can snack on them straight from the shrub, cook them down into tropical jams, or use them to refine salsas.

• As an ornamental plant: With its huge, velvety leaves, it is a fantastic structural plant that instantly gives any seating area a jungle feel.

History The plant is very closely related to the well-known tree tomato (tamarillo, Solanum betaceum). In contrast to its big sister, which often takes years until the first harvest, the dwarf variety is a true pioneer plant that starts producing countless fruits just a few months after sowing.

Curiosities It is not just the fruits that are an experience, but also the leaves! When you brush your hand over the soft foliage, the plant emits a distinct, slightly tart to spicy, pungent scent. In its native habitat, this is how it naturally protects itself from voracious insects and animals.

Location, care & other important things

• Location: Sunny to semi-shady and definitely wind-protected (the large leaves tear easily in a storm).

• Care: Due to its enormous growth and large leaf mass, the plant is extremely thirsty on warm days and needs plenty of nutrients (fertilize regularly!).

• Overwintering: The dwarf tamarillo is not hardy. However, it can be overwintered very well in a cool, bright place inside the house or a conservatory. It is recommended to prune it heavily before moving it indoors. This will ensure it sprouts again nice and bushy in the spring.

Sowing instructions: Dwarf Tamarillo (Solanum abutiloides)

Cultivation is uncomplicated and similar to that of regular tomatoes or eggplants. An early start is worth it to enjoy a long harvest season in the summer!

When to sow?

• Pre-cultivation (indoors): From mid-February to early April.

How to sow?

• Sowing depth: Place the seeds about 0.5 cm deep in potting soil and press them down lightly.

• Germination conditions: Keep the soil evenly moist, but under no circumstances wet (risk of mold). Place the containers in a bright, very warm spot. Optimal temperatures are 20 to 25 °C.

• Germination period: Be patient! Germination is often somewhat more irregular than with tomatoes and usually takes 10 to 20 days, sometimes a little longer.

Planting out & location

• Pricking out: As soon as the seedlings form their first large, velvety leaves, they should be carefully moved into individual pots with nutrient-rich soil.

• Moving outdoors: Not until after the Ice Saints (mid-May). Since the plant can be overwintered, it is best to plant it directly into a large, stable container (at least 15 to 20 liters) that you can simply move to a warm place in the autumn.