Tomatillo question

[Chuck]

I have 2 tomatillo plants each growing in 10 gallon fabric containers. Both plants came from the same package of seeds. Both were grown identically. They are growing intermingled. One plant is short and bushy. The other is opposite. One has small leaves the other large leaves and is 4 times taller. The shorter plant has many fruits, the other larger plant has none and has never set the first fruit. My research has said that a tomatillo plant is both sexes but needs another nearby plant for pollinating. So why doesn't the large plant set fruit?

 

[Meadowlark]

That's one of those head scratchers to me. Even though they have "perfect flowers" at least two plants are needed because they are poor self-pollinators...and you have that. Strange.

I have four plants that are just setting fruits now. I grow them every year but never experienced that one.

 

[Chuck]

That's one of those head scratchers to me. Even though they have "perfect flowers" at least two plants are needed because they are poor self-pollinators...and you have that. Strange.

I have four plants that are just setting fruits now. I grow them every year but never experienced that one.

Do your plants appear to look the same? On my plants there is a stark difference between the two. The only thing that looks the same are the flowers. The growth habits are totally opposite. One appears to be extremely leggy while the other looks like a low growing mass of limbs. Both are covered in flowers.

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, they look the same.



I was wondering if being in the same container somehow might be the culprit?

 

[Chuck]

Yes, they look the same.

View attachment 109083

I was wondering if being in the same container somehow might be the culprit?

They are not in the same container. Each has its own 10 gallon pot. The pots are close together to ensure pollination. Before the plants had grown enough to become entangled and intertwined with each other the smaller plant had already set 3 or 4 fruits. The plant in the picture looks like my larger plant except not as tall.

 

[Meadowlark]

They are not in the same container. .

High nitrogen in the tall plant container...

 

[PaulBones]

Sounds like classic high nitrogen imbalance.

 

[Chuck]

High nitrogen in the tall plant container...

Both have had exactly the same. 1/4 cup of 3-2-3 at planting and another 1/4 cup at blooming.
Could high nitrogen affect both plants with opposite growth patterns? I can see it affecting one plant but affecting two plants with opposite symptoms???? And while I really don't know which of the two is affected, I think I will flush both containers with water to rid any excess nitrogen if that is even possible. Tomatillos aren't my favorite vegetable so if I kill them both I guess my Pico de Gallo might be a tad bland this year.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

What are Tomatillos?

 

[Meadowlark]

They are a member of the nightshade family which includes tomatoes. Some call them Mexican husk tomatoes. They are common in Mexico and Central America.

Ever have green salsa verde?

One of the principal ingredients is the tomatillo. I love that stuff ...and have a distant neighbor who makes the best ever!! In return for tomatillos, she provides us fantastic salsa verde.

They are relatively easy (and fun) to grow...much like growing tomatoes. I try to harvest mine green when the husk begins to split apart as that is when they are at peak flavor.