Tomoffel: Mix of tomato and potato plants

Tomoffel? That's right: the mix of potatoes and tomatoes not only yields double harvests but can also be wholeeasy to grow at home.

Tomatoes and potatoes are probably among the most popular plants in German gardens. However, the two nightshade plants do not get along well and should be as far apart as possible in the bed. Wouldn't it be great if you could grow both plants with limited space? No problem with the Tomoffel: The clever mix of plants has delicious tomatoes on top, but the popular tubers can be found at its roots.

The Tomoffel is not made from genetic engineering, but is based on the principle of refinement that many are already familiar with from fruit trees. It also thrives in pots and can therefore easily be grown in the smallest of spaces. We will show you how you can use the simplest means to refine a potato into a Tomoffel and harvest delicious potatoes and tomatoes from one and the same plant.

Tomoffel: shopping list

1. Two plastic planters (capacity 30 liters or more)
2. box cutter
3. Pencil and ruler
4. High quality potting soil
5. potatoes
6. Tomato seedlings
7. duct tape
8. hair clipper
9. Plant stick

Growing Tomoffel: Instructions

1. First of all, the right home for the Tomoffel has to be created. To do this, you need two plastic planters of the same size. A capacity of 30 liters or more is ideal so that the roots have enough space to expand. Three identical viewing windows are now cut into one of the pots with a carpet knife. It is best to draw this out beforehand with a pencil and ruler to get a good overview of the size and arrangement. Be careful not to accidentally injure yourself. Once the first pot has been prepared, you can simply put it in the second.
2. Now fill the pot about a third with soil. For example, ours is suitable for this Plantura tomato and vegetable soil. Then cut the potatoes in half and place them on the ground with the open cut surface facing down. The choice of which depends on the individual taste: those who like it particularly unusual can also go for colorful ones Potato varieties like the 'Violetta'. Now the rest of the pot is filled with earth and it is said: "Wait and drink tea."
   
3. After about 14 days, the potatoes should have developed strong shoots that protrude clearly from the ground. So far, so good, but where is the tomato?
4. Don't worry, the tomato also makes its grand entrance when it is grafted: with a slightly angled cut, cut the young tomato plant approximately in the middle. A place just above or below a sleeping eye, from which an urge to become curious later, is ideal. as Varieties of tomatoes Incidentally, cherry or cocktail tomatoes are best.
   

   

   

   

5. The potato, on the other hand, is shortened three to four centimeters above the ground with a straight, clean cut. Then the potato plant is split about an inch deep and in the middle. Remember to use a clean, sharp knife for all cuts.
6. Now the tomato cutting can be carefully inserted into the cut of the potato plant. A simple strip of adhesive tape fixes the two parts of the plant together until they can grow together.
7. With a hair clip you can also fix the Tomoffel to a plant stick - this ensures that the The above-ground tomato part of the plant grows nicely upright and is not pressed down by its own weight will.

Tomoffel caren

From now on, the Tomoffel actually only needs regular care and attention: fertilize the plant regularly, pay attention however, on a balanced nitrogen balance, otherwise the Tomoffel tends to overgrowth during the fruit wither away. Regular watering is also important, especially since the plant in the pot needs more water than its sisters in the bed due to higher evaporation. However, waterlogging should not occur either, as the Tomoffel cannot tolerate this particularly well. Otherwise you should give the tomoffel the same care that a normal potato or tomato needs. How one Fertilize tomatoes properly, you can find out in our special article.

If you pay attention to these points, you can look forward to a rich harvest soon. The potatoes can be harvested particularly easily and as required by removing the inner pot and simply removing the ripe potatoes through the viewing window. This not only saves time, but also avoids soiling the apartment with potting soil.

Tomoffel in the pot: short version:

• Cut three viewing windows into a planter.
• Put the planters into each other and fill a third with soil.
• Halve the potatoes, place them in the pot with the cut side facing down and cover with soil.
• Wait about 14 days until strong shoots have formed.
• Cut horizontally about 4 cm above the ground, then split about 1 cm vertically in the middle.
• Separate the upper part of the tomato seedlings with an oblique cut.
• Graft the tomato cuttings into the gap in the potato plant.
• Fix the connection point with adhesive tape.
• Tie shoots to plant sticks with bobby pins.
• Water and fertilize regularly.
• Harvest (potatoes through viewing window) and enjoy.