Tomatillo flowers are a significant component of the plant’s life cycle, serving as the essential precursor to the tomatillo fruit. Understanding their characteristics and needs is fundamental for a successful harvest. Their presence indicates the plant is progressing toward fruit production.
Appearance of Tomatillo Flowers
Tomatillo flowers are small and bell-shaped, typically featuring five fused petals. Their color is predominantly vibrant yellow or gold, often with dark splotches, usually purple or dark blue, at the base of the petals inside the flower. Flowers emerge in the leaf axils, where a leaf meets the stem. A notable feature is the papery calyx, a modest green base on the open flower, which later transforms to enclose the developing fruit.
Pollination and Fruit Development
Tomatillos exhibit self-incompatibility, meaning a single plant’s flowers cannot effectively self-pollinate to produce fruit. For successful fruit set, cross-pollination between at least two genetically distinct tomatillo plants is necessary. These plants can be of the same variety, provided they originate from separate seeds. Bees and other insects play a crucial role as pollinators, transferring pollen between flowers of different plants.
When pollination is successful, the flower begins its transformation into the fruit. The petals wither and fall away. The papery calyx undergoes rapid growth, inflating into the familiar lantern-like husk that completely envelops the developing tomatillo fruit. The fruit matures inside this protective husk.
Troubleshooting Flowering Issues
Gardeners sometimes encounter issues where tomatillo plants produce many flowers but yield little fruit, or flowers drop off. A primary cause for this problem is insufficient cross-pollination, often occurring when only a single tomatillo plant is grown. Without pollen from a different plant, a healthy, flowering tomatillo will not produce fruit.
A lack of active pollinators, such as bees, can also hinder fruit development, as these insects are essential for transferring pollen between plants. Extreme temperatures, both too hot or too cold, can negatively impact flower fertilization and lead to blossom drop. Additionally, nutrient imbalances, particularly an excess of nitrogen, can promote lush leafy growth at the expense of flower and fruit production.
Promoting Abundant Flowers
Encouraging abundant tomatillo flowers begins with providing optimal growing conditions. Tomatillo plants thrive in full sun exposure, requiring six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for robust flowering. Consistent watering is important, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages, with plants needing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Well-draining soil is crucial to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy root development.
Fertilization practices influence flowering. Amend the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer before planting. Once flowering begins, avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers. Instead, consider a fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium content to support flower and fruit development. Attracting natural pollinators, such as bees, to the garden ensures these abundant flowers successfully develop into fruit.