Dying tamarillo trees (forum)

Ann Bailey starts with ...
I have now had six tamarillo trees in total over a period of 8 years. Two were in the ground and both have perished. I then put one in a large pot and that has also perished. After this I purchased 3 together and now only have one left which has leaves on it. The 3 as above have never been out in the frost as I moved them all undercover at night time. All the tamarillo trees have ended up with something like a brown rot which starts at the top of the tree and makes it's way down. I am wondering if I am over watering them (pots seem to dry out very quickly) as I water all my pot plants every day. I was also advised to spray them with copper oxychloride which did not stop the rot. Help please as they are my favourite fruit.




Time: 28th November 2012 4:12pm

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MaryT says...
Ann I feel for you. Sorry I don't really know how to help but I was given a tamarillo tree that I put in a pot and for years it just gave me hell. I moved it around, I gave it more attention than anything else because it was a gift from a good friend but it failed to thrive and threatened to die with every imaginable problem. Even my friend suggested a mercy killing. Now it's in the ground though I don't really have room, being crowded by black bamboo and a Davidsons plum and it's grown MASSIVE within weeks (from being a stick with a few half dead leaves).
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Time: 29th November 2012 6:11pm

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snottiegobble says...
Ann, tamarillos are not long lived plants. After, say 3 years of careful pruning & cutting back dead branches you will still find they have less,smaller fruit than previous years so taking cuttings or keep seeds is required if you want the same quality of previous years. They do appreciate a rich soil, but dont like wet feet. Their leaves being so big & soft will soon let you know when they need a drink by going floppy & soon recover once the tree is watered sufficiently!

Time: 30th November 2012 12:20am

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About the Author snottiegobble
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MaryT says...
SG mine has never flowered or fruited though it's more than three years old. Maybe it'll live forever? :)

Time: 30th November 2012 7:47am

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
I have a huge crop on my orange fruited tree this year - can't wait to try some recipes I've been gathering in anticipation.
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Time: 30th November 2012 9:01am

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MaryT says...
Recipes,Phil? Can they not be eaten fresh?

Time: 30th November 2012 10:08am

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
A couple I am going to try are tamarillo poached in a light syrup plus roasted tamarillo fool - fresh is great but I will experiment with variations.
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Time: 30th November 2012 10:16am

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Db says...
Phil, how does Orange tamarillo taste compares to Red? I'm growing one orange in pot but it is sick now, I bought it early this year and growing in 40cm pot, it has grown from 1 ft to 6 ft now, it gets water almost every day now and is in full shade... few days back I applied osmocote fertilizer (and also B&B few days before that) and now it has dropped 2-3 young leaves from tip of main stem by turning brown (no side branches at all), so I was thinking to transfer it in ground if I could find suitable space for it... But the red fruit that I tasted few months back was so sour that I couldn't eat it any further after tasting it, so I was wondering is orange really sweet or still very sour but just slightly milder than red... How does orange compares to red?

Time: 30th November 2012 10:21am

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
It doesn't seem to have that sharp flavour of the red, somewhat milder, wouldn't really say sweet though. Pleasant and complex - sometimes the reds can be a bit sour for me too. I also have a yellow but haven't had the chance to taste it so far.

Time: 30th November 2012 10:30am

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About the Author TyalgumPhil
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Linton says...
Tamarillos can't be grown in pot.

The Yellow variety is supposed to have the best flavour followed by the Orange and Red last.

I got 2 seedlings about 2 1/2 months agon and planted them in very large pots. They grew rapidly, vigorously and rampantly, and quickly became pot bound. I think this is because the root ball consists of matting-like fibres which completely fill the pot and don't allow the water to penetrate.

I took them out of the pots yesterday and planted them in the ground but I couldn't believe how much the fibrous roots had filled the pots and completely depleted all the soil!



Time: 30th November 2012 2:05pm

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About the Author Linton
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BJ says...
I hate them all equally.
They dislike life in pots and grow well in groud if protected from wind. They are a very soft plant and the wind will prevent fruiting and often snap the tree. Mealy bugs, aphid and lots of scale pests attack the tree making it rather high maintainence. Even when poached in syrup I couldnt really eat the things with ice cream - it was like the worst rhubarb I've ever eaten... I've tried them a few times and in different ways and the only time I've liked them was in hot chutneys, salsas and jams where their flavour was completely masked.

Time: 30th November 2012 2:15pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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Db says...
Thanks Phil, Linton and BJ...

Looks like I will need to move it in ground if I want it to be fruited... I know they like to be in shade but can it fruit in full shade? I have one tight space on fence line in between our and neighbor's house (so wind protected) but this space hardly gets any sun (now a days I think it gets late afternoon sun)..

Time: 30th November 2012 2:40pm

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About the Author Db
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BJ says...
They can grow in some sun. Go check out Northey Street if you have a chance. They have a few dotted around the garden in sun and shade and full of fruit.

Time: 30th November 2012 2:47pm

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juanita says...
I let my tamarillos drop to the ground & collect it from there, that way they become sweeter

Time: 1st December 2012 1:43am

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About the Author juanita
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VF says...
As a kid I hated them, but I've since acquired a taste for them - quite reminiscent of passionfruit to me. I buy from local market and there seems to be some reds that are of sweeter strains, yellows always milder in taste. If I buy from grower with more tart fruit, I let fruit sit in bowl until starting to shrivel, and most of the time the fruit will become much sweeter. Hard to tell ripeness by skin colour alone as I've had deep red ones which made my hair stand on end, and others that had green tinge or pale that were quite good. Am now growing a few seedlings from sweeter fruit.

Time: 1st December 2012 6:46am

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About the Author VF
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Db says...
Orange tamarillo that I'm growing in pot is dying.. I bought it early this year and thrived till recently, grown from 1 ft to 6 ft tall... I water it every day as potting mix becomes dry quickly... Pot is sitting in my alfresco so it almost in full shade and only gets sun for 1 to max 2 hours in late afternoon... Recently I applied Osmocote slow release fertilizer and it started wilting leaves after few days... First new growth stopped growing, it dropped 2-3 tiny leaves from the tip of only branch and now whole plant is wilted completely... I removed mulch and those slow release fertilizers (I had applied it on the top of mulch).. Is there anything I can do to save it while in pot, I may not be able to transfer it in ground for next couple of weeks.. I have tried giving seasol but no use, from the top soil it looks like roots are circulating this 40cm pot.. What can I do to save it? Is it ok to take cutting from top end to try to strike and start all over again (considering its already wilted)??

Time: 6th December 2012 9:31am

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snottiegobble says...
Tamas grow very quickly & so do their roots so there is every chance the water & nutrients you are providing are slipping down the inside of the pot & not getting to the roots. If you must wait 2 weeks before trans. to ground I would suggest using saturation granules round the plant so the water goes where it is needed!
When you do transplant you will need to cut off any entanglement of roots that may affect the natural growth of the tree so it will be able to stand high winds by having well spread roots in every direction! Tamarillo trees are only good for about 4 years anyway so taking cuttings or saving fruit for seeds are a good investment!

Time: 7th December 2012 10:23pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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VF says...
Hi Db, if your plant does cark it I have a couple of spare seedlings (red and orange) which you're welcome to.

Time: 8th December 2012 6:47am

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About the Author VF
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Db says...
Thanks SG for useful tips and thanks VF for your offer. Let's see how mine goes and I'll contact you VF again if mine dies. Does seedling tamarillo also starts fruiting early or does it longer time as compared to one grown from cutting?

Time: 9th December 2012 8:10am

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VF says...
You're welcome Db, offer stands. Seedlings take about 18 months to start fruiting from what I've been told. I assume cuttings would take less time, but I don't know to be honest.

Time: 10th December 2012 6:48am

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denise1 says...
cuttings grown from the canopy will form a bush closer to the ground and without the tall trunk. It makes picking, pruning etc much easier and also offers shade to the ground.

Time: 10th December 2012 7:54am

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About the Author denise1
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Db says...
My orange tamarillo has died :(

Time: 18th December 2012 2:55pm

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VF says...
Db, if you want replacement (I can give you orange and red), leave contact details and I'll get back to you.

Time: 20th December 2012 8:12am

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About the Author VF
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Db says...
Thanks VF, I'm going try to strike couple of cuttings of my tamarillo, it's not completely dead yet, all leaves has been dropped and top half of main stem is wilted, so it's on the verge of death. Tonight I'm goning to take couple of cuttings from base stem to strike. If it is successful then no worries, if not, I'll surely contact you to get seedlings or cuttings if you have.I really appreciate your help, cheers.

Time: 20th December 2012 8:40am

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VF says...
Good luck!

Time: 20th December 2012 4:05pm

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Jafa says...
I bought my 3rd tree a few months ago at about 40 cm tall & had it in a pot for a couple of months where it grew to about 75cm 7 was doing great. Planted it into a sheltered, raised garden bed & it loved it. Now at around 150cm it has suddenly had all leaves die & is going the same way the previous two trees have. Enough is enough. I grew up in NZ with healthy trees that needed no special care & they produced huge quantities of fruit. I think it is just too hot for them in most areas of Australia.

Time: 25th December 2015 1:03pm

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Julie W says...
Jafa, I find they cope with the heat, but don't like too much direct sun. Morning sun in summer seems to be OK.

A commercial Tamarillo grower in my area grows them under shadecloth.

Time: 27th December 2015 3:36pm

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Rob. says...
Hi, I have a healthy tamarillo tree growing in South Gippsland (Vic) which fruits prolifically but the seeds are teeth shattering hard. Is there a reason for this or do I have the wrong variety. Appreciate any help. Rob.

Time: 21st February 2017 12:25pm

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GlenMac says...
My tamarillo tree is dying ... very disappointing because it has more than 100 fruit. I've been watering every day but it's in full sun in hot western Sydney. I have it growing in a small Aldi raised bed. Put it in that because my previous tamarillo died overnight and it was in the ground. (I know that they are prone to quick death from a root disease and so I was trying to prevent that. My soil is a mix of pigeon manure and mushroom compost - entirely). I do have cuttings from this tamarillo growing in an adjacent raised bed (with same manure/compost mix) and they are flowering and flourishing while also in full sun. A tip to stop branches being ripped off in wind ... prune tree to prevent branches spreading too wide. And use pantyhose to tie branches to trunk, giving more support. In South America farmers also tie trees to posts for support. I hope this YouTube video (from Bolivia or Colombia) will help people to success with tamarillo. I'm a Kiwi who would love a big crop after too many failures in Sydney. (No English subtitles but I learnt a lot from this video). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFFySw3LhIc

Time: 5th January 2018 1:50am

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About the Author GlenMac
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Robin Nitschke says...
Tamarillos will never grow successfully in pots as the lateral roots grow so quickly the plant will become root bound. They are best grown from seed - there will be about 200 seeds in one fruit. Germinate in heated seed trays and prick out into PB5s or larger bags when at the 6 leaf stage. When 300mm or more plant out.
They don't like frosts, wind and wet feet so if these condition prevail a good idea is plant under a wide eave of the house (so they should be frost protected and the soil never gets too wet if the guttering works!), and on the sheltered side of the house. Keep well watered and feed regularly during the summer growth period. They will need copper as a bactericide alternating with sulphur as a fungicide - use mineral oil with both and apply every 3-4 weeks. Then you need luck on your side ...... and howling at the moon at midnight could help as well!
I should know - I've got 6500 tam trees and they do take a lot of damn hard work to look after correctly so if you are not prepared to do this, forget it!

Time: 22nd June 2019 8:22am

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About the Author Robin Nitschke
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denise1 says...
Some plants that are vigorous in growth and seem quite hardy can quickly be killed by an act of kindness. I suspect your rich compost potting mix is too much for your plant. I would try normal potting mix and grow in a moderately cool position. I have seen many trees killed from fertilizer, watering, greenhouse conditions etc. used above requirements.

Time: 22nd June 2019 11:35am

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About the Author denise1
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Amanda says...
They a dollar fifty each in Coles (West Aust) atm Robin Nitschke - from NZ..! Hard to believe hey?! And especially as they grow so well and easily here (I am 160km south of Perth on the coast)
I don't need to use any pesticdes or fungicides on ours at all.
We have free draining deep sands so they get quite enormous.
I had one plant that never set a single fruit though - it was massive - I think it was in too much shade...?
A cutting plant that was given to me though. I ended up cutting it down after 3yrs.
I only grow seedlings too now.

I was born in NZ and left at 12yrs - but like many from there I grew up with with Tamarillos and I absolutely love them! A lot of Aussies don't take to them though? Strange as it's a first class fruit that is in season right now - when there is not a lot of choice of fruits around.

I had a bumper harvest this season - so I decided to make some tamarillo chutney...really looking foward to tasting it when it's ready! It looks amazing and smells exotic.
Also going to try some in a kombucha ferment - and in one of my own vinegar brews too. It has the potential to make an excellent balsamic type vinegar I am thinking?

This is my 1.5yr old tree that I just harvested....I had to net it with a queen size mozzie net as the birds wanted some too.
Unfortunately the netting then encouraged aphids - which the other un-netted plants don't get bothered by.
I will try a different type of net for them - a more open weave - especially now I know that the Med-fruit flies don't attack the fruits here.

But I wasn't sure what to do with it after this - so hacked it right back - to pretty much nothing...not sure if it going to like that - especially now it's winter?
Not really worried about it though as it was only ever a temporary plant where it is. They make amazing instant-shade...growing so fast and big.

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Time: 22nd June 2019 9:07pm

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Amanda says...
ps Robin Nitschke - I saw this growing recommendation recently - and I haven't tried it myself...any thoughts?

"When the tree is about 1 to 1.5 metres in height, it is advisable to cut the roots on one side and lean the tree to the other (in the direction of the midday sun at about 30 to 45 degrees). This allows fruiting branches to grow all along the trunk rather than just at the top"

I thought it was interesting and I am going to try it, just to see what happens.
This would be the equivalent of weighting branches down more horizontally - to encourage more fruiting growth, maybe?


Time: 22nd June 2019 9:13pm

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John Mc says...
They hate wet feet, try grafting them onto wild tobacco, Solanum mauritianum.

Time: 6th July 2019 9:41am

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allybanana says...
Interesting you mention that, I have been picking fruit of wild tobacco, Solanum mauritianum to grow it for tamarillo rootstock. Wild tobacco is growing wild in the area it should have reasonable cold tolerance.

Time: 26th July 2019 11:52pm

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Simo says...
Three year old Tamarillo red had a bumper crop last year ,waiting for signs of regrowth this year tree seven foot good spread of branches overhead lost a couple of branches getting excited grabbing fruit off but tree looks heathy fingers crossed please be just late any think I should know about tamarillo guys thanks from a novice


Time: 13th October 2019 5:07pm

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