Propagation
Sow fresh seeds in flats 8-10 weeks prior to planting out and maintain a temperature of 16ş to 27ş C. (61ş to 81ş F). Seedlings should be pricked out and potted up when large enough to handle.

Plant out after the last frost and space the plants 450mm (18in) apart. In tropical regions seeds can be sown directly in the prepaired bed.

Botanic information
Leaf: The large thin leathery mid-green ovate leaves are up to 230 mm (9 in) long by 100 mm (4 in) long and have sinuate to lobed margins. The upper surface is finely pubescent and the underside has prominent venation. The apex is acute and the pubescent petiole is up to 76 mm (3in) long.

Flower: Theviolet-purple rotate hermaphrodite female flowers have 5-spreading acute lobes with ruffled margins, and yellow stamens. Below them a raceme of smaller male flowers may emerge but is commonly absent in cultivated forms. The flower colour fads to white-pink and appear solitary on a stout pubescent pedicle that is up to 75 mm () long. They appear during summer and are self or crossed pollinated by insects.

Fruit: The rounded berry has a fleshy texture and is 30mm (1? in) in diameter and contains small soft seeds that have a bitter taste. The cultivated varieties vary but the commonly grown dark purple fruit is elongated ovoid, up to 250mm (9in) long by 90mm (4in) wide. Some variations are white, bright pink and black and can weigh up to 1Kg (2.2 pounds).