Laird's Large

Laird's Large is a red tamarillo variety developed by NZ grower Allan Laird over a number of years and generously shared within the tamarillo-growing community, making it a genuinely locally developed cultivar. It produces large, deep purple-red fruit with a tangy, acidic flavour similar to Ted's Red, and is known as a particularly heavy cropper, capable of yielding up to 15 to 20 kilograms per tree when well established. The flavour is considered by some growers to be lower in acid and sweeter than other red varieties when trees are well fertilised. A fast-growing tree reaching around 3 metres, Laird's Large is frost tender and requires a warm, sheltered position with protection from heavy frosts and strong winds. Clusters of fragrant pink flowers appear in spring, with fruit ripening May to July. Self-fertile. Apply fertiliser three times during the growing season for best results.