Fruits are seed-bearing structures of flowering plants that are formed from the ovary after pollination. These usually have a sweet taste on them which is why tons of people enjoy eating them. There are numerous types of fruits, but tomatillos have recently been getting a lot of attention. These are from a plant that falls under the nightshade family. This fact alone helps in understanding how healthy the fruits grown on the plant are.
Though, you should note that tomatillos are also quite sweet and can be used to make different types of dishes. Tons of people grow these in their gardens and the fruit can be harvested several times throughout its bloom time. Though, there are also some issues that you can run into with the plant. People often question “Why are my tomatillos so small?”. If you have the same query in mind, then going through this article should help you in finding a viable answer for it along with ways that can be used to fix it.
Why Are My Tomatillos So Small?
- Variety Of Tomatillos
Tomatillos come in several varieties that people can choose from. While these share the same characteristics, it is important to understand that there are also some differences between them. Some types of tomatillos grow larger while others are quite smaller in comparison. The general size of the fruit is about the same as a golf ball, but this can be affected by several reasons.
If you notice that the tomatillos in your garden are quite small, then check what variety these are from. Several methods can be used to identify the type of fruit. This includes checking the shape of the leaves on your plant as well as observing its height. If you are still having trouble trying to identify the species, then you can also take the fruit to a specialist who will help you out.
This is a great way of confirming if the fruit is supposed to be small or if there is something wrong with it. In case the tomatillos are small due to their variety, people can simply remove them from their garden and replace them with another specie.
- Harvesting At the Wrong Time
In some cases, people simply harvest the fruit at the wrong time as they think that it is completely ripe. When it comes to this, you have to first learn how to harvest the fruits. Tomatillos can be checked by holding the fruit and then getting a feel of its husk.
The fruits grow inside the husk and eventually fill up its insides. Considering this, the moment you notice the husk on your fruit cracking is when it should be harvested. If you are taking off the tomatillos before this, then that might be the reason why these are so small.
Keep in mind that getting a small fruit is not the only problem that you run into when harvesting these too early. The taste of the tomatillos is also not developed, and it can be bitter in some cases. People also get less pulp as the fruit has not completely formed. This is why you should learn when to harvest the fruit as it can help in preventing numerous issues.
- Humidity Levels Increasing
Most people already know that the weather conditions play a huge role in how your fruits will grow out. Hence, if you notice that your tomatillos have started growing out with a smaller size then the levels of humidity might be to blame. These can be easily checked by taking a look at the forecast.
The main issue with humidity increasing is that it prevents pollination which is essential for fruit like this. With time the humidity will keep on increasing and it can even cause the plant to stop growing new fruits. This can be quite annoying to deal with but keep in mind that the problem is temporary.
As long as you remain patient, the humidity should start decreasing on its own and new fruits will start growing. The only thing that you have to do is keep your plant healthy throughout the season. This helps in ensuring that the new tomatillo fruits that grow out are larger and also taste sweet.