Solanum Torvum - perennial or biennial? (forum)

davewastech starts with ...
Hi gardeners,
Solanum Torvum aka Thai Pea Eggplant aka Turkey Berry.
My plants are in a frost-free area of Sydney, 13 months old, and currently fruiting.
I've been trawling the net searching for the answer to the above question. Some people say perennial, some say biennial. Wikipedia effectively says both in the same article! I suspect it may depend on one's climate, but not sure. So does anybody know the answer? - in particular for areas of comparable climate.
I've also been trying unsuccessfully to grow some more plants from seeds - it's not called the Devil's Fig for nothing - But in a curry they taste wonderful :)
Thanks for any help,
Dave

Time: 28th December 2019 4:34pm

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Dave

Most of the info about solanum torvum pointed it as being perennial or short lived perennial meaning its like capsicum or chilli pepper which live for a few years and then fade away. Its relative solanum capsicoides is perennial as far as Melbourne which is/was grown and reported by one user.
Happy gardening 😎

Time: 2nd January 2020 10:21pm

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Original Post was last edited: 2nd January 2020 10:57pm

About the Author Fruitylicious1
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davewastech says...
Thanks Fruitylicious1,

I wonder if it's perennial if I'm lucky and just biennial if I'm less lucky(?) or just not to expect it to deliver much past 2 years.

(I'm defining perennial here as more than 2 years)

Time: 3rd January 2020 11:58am

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Dave

Anywhere above 2 years can be called perennial whether short or long. You'll be surprised some of this short perennial can live up to 5 years like my ex capsicum and chilli pepper that live and produced for 5 years here in Melbourne before they turned upside down 😁 Good luck on your Turkey berry endeavor 😀

Time: 3rd January 2020 2:55pm

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Manfred says...
In a warm climate it grows as a shrub, which is why it is used as a rootstock for annuals like ordinary eggplants, chillis and tomatoes. It just goes on growing, which is why it is such a weed.

At GRF in innisfail they have a green eggplant on one in their yard which has a woody trunk about 80 -100mm across at the base and is always loaded with fruit.

Time: 3rd January 2020 9:14pm

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davewastech1 says...
To answer my own question - I have found sometimes it survives Sydney winter. I have one now that is doing its second crop and it looks quite healthy. It's in about 70% shade. Protection from winter winds seems to be key.

Time: 16th December 2022 8:04pm

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