The tomato fruit is an erect shrubby, fast growing evergreen fruit tree. It has large, heart-shaped, hairy leaves, 15 - 20 cm long. The tomato fruit flowers are small, pale pink and very fragrant. The tomato fruits are egg-shaped, about 5 cm long and can be red or dark yellow in color. Tomato fruit also known as Tamarillos need a rich, moist, well-drained soil. Tomato fruits do not tolerate waterlogged soils or drought since the roots are very shallow, so keep it well mulched.

Tree tomatoes (Cyphomandra betacea) is a lesser known plant in many regions but make a very nice addition to the landscape. The tomato fruit is a small-growing shrub or semi-woody tree reaching heights of upto (18 feet (5 m).

Tomato fruit trees bloom in early spring, producing fragrant pink flowers, these attractive blooms will eventually give way to small, oval or egg-shaped fruit, similar to plum tomatoes—hence the tomato tree’s name. While the fruits of growing tree tomatoes are edible and vary between plants, they are much more bitter tasting than your average tomato. The skin is also tougher, with colors varying among the different varieties from yellow to red or even purple. Unripe fruits are also slightly toxic and should only be harvested or eaten when fully ripe (indicated by the variety’s color).

Plant Height: Tomato fruits grow up to a height of 1.5 - 2 m high
Planting Depth: Tomato fruits require a planting depth of at least 3 inches deep.
Spacing: The ideal spacing for tree tomatoes should be 2 - 3m between plants.
Soil Type: Fertile, very well-drained soils with a pH range of 5.8 - 7.
Details: Seedlings should have their growth tip removed to encourage multiple trunks, this makes the fruit easier to reach and reduces the risk of a heavily laden tree toppling over.

Growing the tree tomatoes in Kenya
Tamarillos can be grown from seed or a one/two year old plant from the nursery and planted in the garden once the threat of frost has passed.

Tamarillos are sub-tropical plants and will grow well in areas of Kenya that have warm climate, especially regions that oranges and other citrus fruits do well. In very hot and dry climates like Machakos or the north eastern part of Kenya the plants will only do well in half-day shade. It requires fertile and well-drained soil, as with most Solanum crops, the tree tomato is a heavy feeder and will not tolerate water-logging. On the other hand it requires a lot of water due to its shallow root system and a thick layer of well-placed mulch will prevent drying out which can adversely affect fruit production.

Learning how to grow a tree tomato tree is easy with the proper conditions. Tree tomatoes grow best in areas where the temperatures stay above (10 C) making it suitable for growth for most parts of Kenya, though there will be some plants. Even under the best conditions though, the average lifespan of a tree tomato is about 4 years.

Tree tomatoes tolerate many soil conditions as long as it’s well draining, though compost-enriched soil is preferable for optimal growth. The tree tomato also needs placement in full sun, though in hotter climates it can be planted in areas with partial shade. Due to the shallow root system of these trees, adequate wind protection may also be necessary, such as near the house or near large trees that can provide shade.

Propagation
Tomato tree flowers represent larger and more waxy tomato flowers that can be white, yellow, pink or purple. The tomato trees are commonly pollinated by insects like bees and flies, if you have a lack of pollinators you would likely have to pollinate the flowers yourself by using a soft horse-hair paint brush.

Tomato fruits are self-pollinating but cross-pollination between trees increases successful and better quality fruit set. Therefore more than one tree is often recommended for cross-pollination to take place. To ensure the best chance of cross-pollination try to synchronize your tomato fruit trees and their flower production.

This can easily be done by snipping off any ‘early’ flowers from the one tree when the other has none, this should delay the first flush and hopefully the next flush will be in sync.

Tomato Tree Care

Growing tree tomatoes are cared for much the same as their tomato counterparts. As with tomato plants, part of your tomato tree care will include plenty of water (but remember tomato fruit trees hate water logging) In fact, it is helpful to mulch around the tree to retain moisture levels.

A balanced application of fertilizer should be applied quarterly with bone meal given preferably at the time of planting.

Pruning is often recommended for at least once a year for these trees to help keep them looking their best and maintaining their size in small gardens. Pruning also help encourages branching in younger trees and these means new chances to increase your fruit yield per tree. Newly planted trees may take up to two years for fruit production to occur.

Pests and disease that threaten tree tomatoes

Though they suffer little problems with adequate tomato tree care, tomato fruit trees can occasionally become infested with pests. Powdery mildew is another issue that may pop up in trees where overcrowding or high humidity are factors.

Aphids and fruit flies are a big problem and can amass huge numbers on the new deep red growth. Building up the resistance of your tree tomatoes through regular fertilizing is key and when pests are noticed, (usually when leaves show signs of curling at their tips) the culprits will be hiding underneath the curled leaves. Remove all pests as soon as possible.

The Tomato Fruit can be very frustrating to grow if you don’t provide adequate protection or keep a keen eye on their progress. They are intolerant and susceptible to just about everything; frost sensitive, intolerant of waterlogging, drought, strong winds, devastated by hail storms, cannot stand salt laden soils and pests can be some of the problems that may cause major problems. Luckily most parts of Kenya do not experience most of these problems and that means you might just have to watch out for water logging the soil PH.

This implies you have to do very good soil preparation, testing and thorough examination of where the tomato fruits will have their permanent location.

Harvesting & Storing Tomato fruits
Tomato fruits are ready to harvest once they are evenly colored and soft to the touch. The fruits come in a range of colors ranging from yellow, orange, and red to purple. Some even have longitudinal stripes showing around their skin. The yellow/orange ones are sweeter and the reds more acetous. They have a very interesting taste and the skin isn’t eaten as it has an unpleasant touch of bitterness.

Tomato fruits do not ripen at the same time and several harvests will be necessary depending on your plant yield that season. Pruning should be highly considered as it is key to good fruit yield and to limit uneven ripening of the fruits. They are harvested by pulling in a snapping motion although using a scissors should be the preferred method, making sure you are leaving 2-3 cm of the stem still attached to the fruit for longer storage.

The fruits can be stored in the refrigerator or a cold storage for an ideal period of 10 weeks, however there is a risk of discoloration should they be subjected to temperature below 3oC. The tomato fruit is versatile and can be eaten raw or turned into fruit jam as many creative entrepreneurs have started doing all over Kenya. The tomato fruits have a lot of pectin a compound the makes their preservation easier.