Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo
Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo is golden-orange with brown husks, has a tart, citrus taste. It gets its name from cultivation in the Cape of Good Hope area. It's a perennial plant but grown as an annual in most of the United States.
How to Grow Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo:
- Sowing: Start growing indoor tomatillo 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 "deep, 1" apart. Maintain a germination temperature of 70-75 degrees F, provide light, keep the soil moist. When the second set of leaves appears, transplant the seedlings into separate pots and bury the stems down to the lowest set of leaves. It is recommended to expose them to the weather a week before planting to harden the plant in the afternoon. Repot the tomatoes when the frost threat is gone and the soil temperature has reached at least 70 degrees F in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves.
- Plant Spacing: 24″.
- Growing of Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo: Tomatillos grow best in the hot sun and well-drained, somewhat rich soil, more productive when they have a trellis or support. This protects them from pests and diseases by reducing frequent contact with the soil. Supports should be set up before vines develop. Tomatoes are thermophilic; temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage, so protect the plants if necessary. Water the plants once a week, mulch to retain moisture. Pruning unnecessary shoots between the main stem and branches will significantly improve the productivity and vigor of the plant.
- Soil Requirements for Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo: gravely loams to heavy loams.
- Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo Days to Germination: 7-30 days.
- Light Preference of Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo: Full Sun.
- Life Cycle of Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo: Annual.
- How and When to Harvest Harvest Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo: Gather the tomatillo before the husk cracks. Store in the husk for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator, or freeze without the husk.
- Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo Days to Maturity: 90-120 days
- Cape Gooseberry Tomatillo's Seed Saving: Pick fully ripe tomatillos and cut them in half horizontally across the middle; squeeze out the pulp into a container or put them in a blender. The mixture should ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold forms to remove the gelatinous layer on the seeds. Drain all but the good seeds, rinse them under running water, then lay them out to dry out of direct sunlight. Stir twice a day and use a fan to speed up drying if the air is humid. Stоre seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years.
FAST FACTS:
- Latin Name: Physalis ixocarpa
- Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Determinate, Warm Season
- USDА Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Seeds per Ounce: 10,000
- Planting Method: From Transplant
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Hеight: 36 Inches
- Color: Yellow
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