Hardy Tropicals UK

Anyone have any knowledge with these.....

I looked into a lot of these sorts of plants last year, there are quite a few tomato related exotic fruits. I'm going to have a go at them all eventually, I think.

I think Naranjilla is one that will require 2 good seasons to fruit in this country, and a heated greenhouse over winter at least. There are others such as the Pepino (melon pear) which may fruit in one good, long season (ie if you start them very early like chillis).

The best bet is probably Physalis peruviana, which is available in most supermarkets these days so you can get the seeds by sampling the fruits, which is what I did. It is the edible version of the 'chinese lanterns' that are relatively common but it is a much, much bigger and more vigorous plant, and not much less attractive. The tomatillo is yet another species of Physalis.

Yeh it more about the exotic look than the fruit..... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0863565328

I grew it from seed a few years ago. They are definately worth growing for the price of a packet of seed. You could probably get a decent size plant in the first season if germinated early enough, but mine didn't get planted out until the second season.

The leaves become larger when planted out and in full sun they take a nice red colour in the stem and veins.

Still potted


Planted out, bottom left


Seeds are usually available from Jungle Seeds.

and what about overwintering ???

Dig up, re-pot and store in greenhouse.

I bought some seed from Peter this year and it’s an easy plant to germinate.
Are those veins red they look purple to me… I’m colour blind though.

Palmer wrote:Are those veins red they look purple to me… I’m colour blind though.

So am I

simon wrote:

Palmer wrote:Are those veins red they look purple to me… I’m colour blind though.

So am I

its like the blind leading the blind

Those veins are 100% purple.

Yorkshire Kris wrote:Those veins are 100% purple.

Cheers Kris… it’s just green I can’t see then

I've got one of these, I forgot what it was called! lol

Mines roughly the same size as yours except some of the leaves are burnt, I just read up online as you gave me the name now. Its supposed to be in half shade..

*Swiftly moves it from full sun in greenhouse to shade*

Almost 30cm across!!




This isn't a Naranjilla but a Kiwi, love the foilage on it too

Awesome Scott, a partially edible jungle is the best kind of jungle for me!

Here is my seed grown Physalis, laden with fruit (though it didn't actually need those 10 canes in the end ).