Casana |
Cyphomandra casana |
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(Note: This plant is no longer produced by incredible edibles®.)
The Casana comes from Equador a close relative of the Tamarillo.
Landscape Value
Umbrella shaped plant excellent as a small canopy tree, creating an exotic appearance to a corner of your backyard.
Nutritional Value
Unknown
How to Eat
The fruit are sweet and juicy; eaten raw, cooked, in a pudding, crumble or as a sauce/chutney.
Expected Yield
Large yields, but plants only live 7 years.
Generic Fruiting Time
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
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Growing
Sun
Succeeds in a sunny position but protect from the strong afternoon sun.
Wind
Plants are very prone to wind damage so protect from the wind.
Climate
It cannot grow in full shade, but thrives in warm temperatures.
Soil
The plant can grow in light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils but requires well-drained soil. Incorporate organic matter and plenty of moisture.
Planting
The unripe fruit is slightly toxic.
Fertiliser
Incorporate blood and bone at planting time. Use a low nitrogen NPK fertiliser during the season, by applying in three applications one before pruning, the next one month later and the last in February to help fruit development.
Pruning
To encourage strong growth and branching, remove the central growing tip, when 1 metre high and then repeat the process when laterals have reached 60cm. Prune early for early crop (April), prune later for later crop (July) by removing old, dead and crowded wood to promote strong growth and maintain shape.
Pests
White Fly can be controlled with any general insecticide. The key to control is regular spraying until the population of flies is down. White Fly has a 3-4 day life cycle in the warmer months. Birds like the fruit even when unripe.
Hardiness
-1.5°C
Special Conditions
Plant in a warm sheltered place, but not in full shade.