Are Tomatillo seeds worth trying?

[veggiechicken]

I thought they'd need the same conditions as tomatoes or physalis to grow - so bunged them in the GH. I'll try some outside this year

[Alison]

I thought they'd need the same conditions as tomatoes or physalis to grow - so bunged them in the GH. I'll try some outside this year

They've seemed find outside for me so hopefully it will work OK for you too. They also do need insect pollination (unlike toms) so benefit from all the bugs and bees outside too.

[Scarlet]

I grew mine outside last year and regardless of the weather were full of fruit. They grow pretty big so I would plant straight in the ground.

[spanish_gardener]

Thanks everyone. I am not sure whether to have grow outdoors or not, because it's so windy here...

[Samurailord]

I planted two seeds into jiffys last weekend along with the rest of my tomatoes.

I hope that they are as easy to grow outside as everyone thinks

Andy

[GrimChili]

I hope that they are as easy to grow outside as everyone thinks
Andy

As do I mate! Haven't got a GH yet and when I do get one it will probably be full of chillies...!

To answer the question in the thread title of are they worth trying? - Why not, give 'em a go! I'm trying them for the first time this year! I've literally only started two tho so I hope they both survive as I believe you need two to get any fruit (could be wrong though...)

Here's what I got so far Tomatillo wise ->

[Sylvan]

They grow quite happily outside up in the North Pennines so you shouldn't have any problems down there.

[Tripmeup]

They grow quite happily outside up in the North Pennines so you shouldn't have any problems down there.

Any problems with slugs or other pests Sylvan?

[ancee]

My packet says that you do not stake them! You let them fall over, then they delve themselves into the ground and keep growing from there. They span out and then produce their fruit on the 'branches' that grow back into the ground - if you get what i'm on about! They spread out. Perhaps that's the reason you've not had tonnes of fruit. I've only just planted some, no seed sproutlings yet, so that's all the info I have

[KittyColdNose]

We are going to give them a try this year too. There is an old bucket that OITC put the fork through last year which should be big enough (I hope).

[spanish_gardener]

I'm not sure how many fruits per plant to expect... I sow the whole packet (10 seeds). I don't have a family, but I eat salad everyday, plus enchiladas, tacos, rices, etc.4-5 times a week. Should I buy more seeds???

[Sylvan]

The first time we planted 6 and had a giant glut of fruit. Last year we planted the same number and all the plants were eaten. We suspect slugs or snails. Last year there were millions of the blighters

[w33blegurl]

Hmmmm... after reading this thread I was *forced* to buy some seeds! Damn you, damn you all to heck

[Alison]

My packet says that you do not stake them! You let them fall over, then they delve themselves into the ground and keep growing from there. They span out and then produce their fruit on the 'branches' that grow back into the ground - if you get what i'm on about! They spread out. Perhaps that's the reason you've not had tonnes of fruit. I've only just planted some, no seed sproutlings yet, so that's all the info I have

If you don't stake them then they do indeed fall over and all the fruits get filthy and slugged. If you stake them (several ones on the branches as necessary) the plants do much better and the fruits are nice and clean and easy to see. I've not deliberately trialed this but have forgotten to stake in the past and regretted it.

I find that so long as you get the plants to a decent size before you plant out then they are big enough to resist slugs on the plant itself and have't noticed any other pests that seem interested. Even last year I got loads, still eating them out the freezer from 4 large plants and one dodgy one.

[Linzy]

Ive tried them once and where easy to grow and make an attractive plant they have an odd taste i thoubght they tasted like a cross between a pineapple and a tomato but i never cooked them