An unusual tomatillo, with that striking purple colour that sets it apart at first glance — decorative in the garden and versatile in the kitchen.
About the variety. It produces round fruits 3 to 5 cm in diameter and 20 to 30 g in weight, with a purplish-white flesh. Its bittersweet flavour and crisp texture are its greatest assets. When fully ripe, the flesh turns completely purple and the acidity noticeably decreases. Plants can reach 180 cm and have undeniable ornamental value.
Itinerário técnico
Como cultivar purple tomatillo?
Um guia de cultivo passo a passo, da sementeira à colheita.
pH ideal 5.5 to 7.0Temperatura ideal 20 to 28 °CCompasso 50 cm in the row, 70 cm between rows
Sementeira
Sow in trays six to eight weeks before planting out, half a centimetre deep, at 22 °C to 25 °C. Germination takes seven to fourteen days. Like tomato it can be planted with the stem buried up to the first leaves. Plant outside once frost risk has passed. Always sow at least two plants, because the flower is self-incompatible and without cross-pollination there is no fruit. The plant forms an open bush of 60 to 120 centimetres that tends to flop: put a cage or a stake in at planting time, because fitting a support to a grown plant breaks roots and branches.
Solo
It tolerates average soils and adapts well, as long as they drain freely, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Over rich soil gives huge plants and little fruit. It is considerably tougher than tomato. In heavy soil, plant on a ridge or in a raised bed so water drains away.
Clima
It likes full sun and warmth, between 20 °C and 28 °C, but stands stress better than tomato. The plant is broad and sprawling and needs plenty of room or a support. On the Atlantic coast, with cool nights and morning fog, pick the sunniest spot sheltered from wind and space the plants well so air moves through. Inland in Iberia heat is the limiting factor: in weeks above 35 °C the plant stops setting fruit and light shade over midday pays off. In northern France and in Germany a greenhouse, a tunnel or a south facing wall pays off, planting out only after mid May. Where summers are short, always choose the shorter cycle varieties and start them early in a heated tray. This is a long cycle variety. Inland in Iberia and in southern France it finishes without difficulty; on the cool Atlantic coast, in northern France and in Germany it only gets there if started early with heat and grown in a greenhouse or tunnel.
Fertilização
Its needs are moderate. One to two kilos of mature compost per square metre worked in before sowing covers most of the cycle. If the leaves pale, one watering with a balanced liquid organic feed halfway through is enough. Never use fresh manure, which burns roots and encourages disease.
Rega
Water moderately and regularly. It is more drought tolerant than tomato, but a shortage during fruit fill sharply reduces fruit size. Water at the base and mulch the soil with straw.
Controlo de Infestantes
Hand weed in the first weeks, while the plant is small and loses every contest for light and water. Once it is established, mulch with five to seven centimetres of straw, dried grass or leaves: it holds weeds back, keeps moisture in and stops rain splashing soil onto the lower leaves, which is how most diseases begin. Always hoe shallowly so you do not cut the roots running just under the surface.
Controlo de Pragas
It is attacked less than the other nightshades. Watch for aphids, whitefly and Colorado potato beetle, which also likes this plant. Potassium soap and hand picking are enough in most cases. Cutworms can sever young plants: protect them with a cardboard collar. Fruit that drops to the ground attracts slugs and snails: gather it every day and keep a dry straw mulch under the plant.
Doenças
It is fairly resistant. In damp weather it can pick up powdery mildew and leaf spots, and in waterlogged soil the roots rot. Wide spacing, watering at the base and a three year rotation without nightshades handle almost everything. It can get late blight in wet years, though far less than tomato: remove affected leaves and never water from above. At the end of the season pull the plants up and do not compost them if they had spots.
Colheita
The fruit is ready when it completely fills the papery husk and the husk starts to split or dry. Fruit still rattling loose inside the husk is not ripe. Many fruits drop to the ground exactly at their point and can simply be picked up. Left in its husk it keeps for several weeks somewhere cool. Allow about 90 days from transplanting to the first harvest of this variety. The reference colour is purple with whitish purple flesh, and that is what tells you it is ready.
