Nika's Tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica

General Information for Tomatillo

The details below are the general care instructions for Tomatillo plants - so feel free to update the details below so that everyone can benefit! s

• Lifecycle The lifecycle that this plant exhibits. Annual Category The basic category that this plant belongs to. Fruit
• Hardiness How frost hardy this plant is. Tender Country of Origin Where this plant originated from. Mexico
• Mature Height How tall the plant will be when it grows up. 120.0 cm / 46.8" Mature Spread How wide the plant will be when it grows up. 65.0 cm / 25.35"
• Bloom Time When this plant usually blooms. Late Spring Harvest Time When this plant is usually harvested. Late Summer

How to keep this plant happy

Tomatillos are almost completely self-incompatible and require at least two plants to normally produce fruit. As plant is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, all other parts of the tomatillo besides the fruit are inedible. There are a large variety of tomatillo species, but many are poisonous. While full sun is best for this plant, light shade is also well tolerated.

• USDA Zone Range The zones that this plant is recommended to grow best in. 5 - 11 pH Range The level of acidity that this plant thrives in. 6.0 - 7.0
• Water Requirements The amount of water that this plant likes to drink. High Nitrogen Requirements The amount of nitrogen that should be present in the soil. Medium
• Soil The type of soil that this plant likes to live in.
  Combination Potting Mix
  Sun The type of light that this plant likes to sunbake in.
  Full Sun Partial Sun
• Min. Air Temperature The lowest air temp that this plant will be happy in. 75°C / 167°F Max. Air Temperature The highest air temp that this plant will be happy in. 90°C / 194°F

Sowing and Germinating Instructions

Germination inside is the easiest and will ensure that your seedlings aren't frost damaged. An optimum soil temp for germination is 27°C, however they will germinate at lower temperatures, albeit more slowly - the soil should be at least 20°C.

• Can Sow Direct? Can seeds be sown directly in situ? ? Sowing Depth Seeds should be sown at this depth. 1.5 cm / 0.39"
• Sowing Distance Apart This plant should be sown at least this distance apart 76.0 cm / 29.64" Sowing Row Distance Apart This plant should be sown in rows at least this distance apart 60.0 cm / 23.4"
• Min. Germination Temperature The lowest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 24°C / 75°F Max. Germination Temperature The highest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 32°C / 90°F

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Planting Out / Transplanting Instructions

Hardening off is extremely important before transplanting outside. A span of a two-week harden should suffice. Like tomatoes, you can bury tomatillos quite deeply, leaving only about 4" of the whole plant above soil.

• Planting Distance Apart Seedlings should be planted this far apart. 76.0 cm / 29.64" Planting Row Distance Apart Rows between plantings should be at least this far apart. 60.0 cm / 23.4"

How long does it approximately take to grow?

• Days to Germination From seed to seedling 10 days Average 10 days | Min days | Max days (0)
• Days to Transplant From seedling to transplant / planting out + days
• Days to Maturity From transplant to harvest / maturity of plant + days Total Growing Days From seed to maturity = days

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When should I start sowing and growing?

• When to sow The number of days to sow before or after your last frost date. ? When to plant out The number of days to plant out before or after your last frost date. ?