Tsifomandra

This rare perennial plant is still relatively uncommon in our region. Its fruits are plum-shaped and light orange in color, offering a pleasant sweet-tart flavor. Known as cifomandra, this plant thrives in warm conditions, which is why it’s typically grown in large pots that are brought indoors during the winter months. When grown from seeds, it will bear fruit in its third year, while a rooted cutting can produce fruit by the second year.

For seed germination, the ideal temperature is around 25°C (77°F). Growth halts at 9°C (48°F), and leaves will drop at 4°C (39°F), although it can withstand winter at this temperature. It cannot survive temperatures below -2°C (28°F).

Cifomandra can produce fruit for seven months of the year, and the harvested fruits have a long shelf life. In open ground, a mature tree can yield up to a thousand fruits annually, while in a room setting, it can produce around 44 pounds (20 kilograms). Currently, only a few enthusiasts are cultivating this “stranger,” but it would be worthwhile for many gardeners to grow this wonderful tree. After all, it can provide a family with fresh tomatoes all year round.