Tomatoes and Potatoes in One Tree

It sounds like something from a science fiction film or perhaps as early discovery of hybrid motorcycles, but a plant which produces both potatoes and tomatoes has been launched in the UK. The Horticultural mail order company, Thompson & Morgan developed a unique plant called TomTato which is an abbreviation of the tomatoes and potatoes.

The TomTato consists of the top of a cherry tomato plant and the bottom of a white potato plant, that have been grafted together at the stem. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

As reported by Gizmag, the hybrid plants are not a product of genetic engineering, but are each individually hand-grafted. Like potatoes, tomatoes are members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which makes them compatible for grafting.

Horticultural director of Thompson & Morgan, Paul Hansord said, that tomatoes are produced from these trees are sweeter than other tomatoes. TomTato could produce more than 500 sweet cherry tomatoes with slightly pungent flavor and 2 kg (4.4 lb) of potatoes in one season.

One TomTato plant can reportedly produce up to 500 tomatoes and 2 kg (4.4 lb) of potatoes in one season. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

However, the age of the plant is only one season. According Hansord, TomTato has been tested for several years. "The final result is far superior than I expected, full cluster tomatoes that taste defeat tomatoes in supermarkets, as well as the many potato crops," he said.

Was not easy to create tomato and potato plants with the best results. Stem tomatoes and potatoes should have the same thickness in order to connect successful techniques. "It is a very highly-skilled operation," said Hansord and the company is selling the plants for £14.99 each, described their new product as a "veg plot in a pot". *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THOMPSON & MORGAN | TELEGRAPH | GIZMAG | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 10102013]

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