Hey you guys, I hope yall are having a bright and sunny day today!Just wanted to make a quick video on this highly underrated crop :)
Tomatillos are in the Solanaceae family (nightshades) they are closely related to Tomatoes, Peppers and Ground Cherries. The genus Physalis also includes Chinese Lantern plants.
Tomatillos are heat loving, and are not heavy feeders. These plants highly resemble Peppers in their forking growth habit, but set fruit much like a grape tomato.
The interior of the fruit is divided into several slimy carpels with soft coated, flat seeds. Esch fruit is adorned with 20-50 seeds, variety dependant.
some commonly cultivated varieites include Amarylla, Purple de Milpa (good for ceviches and in fajitas), Rio Grande (a bit more pungent, good in stews and cubed), and Toma Verde (really good for making Salsa Verde)
keep in mind, Tomatillos get to be pretty tall. Usually spanning 4 to 5 feet in full sun locations, with a similar spread. Tomatillos have a very fibrous root system. for this reason, I suggest letting them dry out for a couple of days between watering upon maturity.
I give these plants a 3 (ish) out of ten.
Plants are dioecious, they have complete flowers, however you need at least 2 plants to produce viable fruit (I recommend at least 4 for genetic diversity)
Tomatillos are native to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.
Plants attract Honey Bees, and bloom when tenperatures are routinely greater than 20°C
Blooms are yellow to pale orange, have 5 to 7 petals and a simple stigma.
The fruits are typically 10 cm in diameter, some varieities having green and others purple fruit. Fruits are encased in a paper-like husk which is moderately toxic in nature.
Harvest fruit when it is firm, and fill the husk by about 90% plants mature in about 80 days when grown from seed. Plant seeds at a depth of 1 to 2 cm. in warm soil, they transplant very well. when transplanting, try burying the lower 2 inches of stem, as this will encourage a system of beneficial adventitious roots.
plabt generally fruit until the first hard frost, plantd may be overwintered via cuttings.
Stay blessed you guys and be safe!:)