PURPLE TOMATILLO
Product Description:
-
Key Features:
-
-
-
Key Features:
-
-
| Soil Temp for Germ | 70–90°F |
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
| Days to Emergence | 6–14 |
| Soil Temp for Transp | 55°F |
| Plant Spacing | 18-36" |
| Row Spacing | 3–4' |
| Fertilizer Needs | High |
| Minimum Germination | 75% |
| Seeds per Gram | See below |
| Seed Life | 3 years |
Physalis spp. These tasty summer treats are even more mineral-dense than tomatoes, packed with unique phytochemicals and flavonoids.
Days to maturity are calculated from date of transplant.
Culture
• Fertile, well drained, raised beds covered with plastic mulch promote early growth and better yields
• Tomatillos & Ground Cherries are high feeders and will benefit from regular fertilization with Age Old Bloom
• Overwatering can cause fruit to crack
Direct Sowing
• Not recommended
Transplanting
• Sow seeds in trays 6-8 weeks before anticipated transplant date; transplant into 3-4 inch pots when the first set of true leaves appears
• Strong light and cooler temperatures (60-70°F) prevent plants from getting leggy
• Fertilize with Age Old Grow every 10-14 days
• When transplanting work in compost, 1/2 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer, and handful of bone meal
• Can be buried up to the top 2 sets of leaves
• Use Kozy-Coats or Victorian Bell Cloches to protect young plants
Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Flea beetles and tomato hornworms
• Insect control: Pyrethrin or row cover for flea beetles, and Monterey B.t. for tomato hornworms
• Common diseases: Early and late blight
• Disease prevention: A strict 3-4 year rotation, remove vines at the end of the year, fungicide
Harvest & Storage
• Tomatillos: ripe when papery husk has dried up or folded back to reveal plump fruit
• Ground Cherries: ripe fruit will fall to the ground
• Do not refrigerate for best flavor
Seed Count
• Tomatillo: approximately 60-65 seeds per 1/8 gram, about 500 seeds per gram
• Ground cherry: approximately 150 seeds per 1/8 gram, about 1200 seeds per gram; 7 grams per 1/4 ounce