Growing Cape Gooseberry, also Golden Berry, Inca Berry

Physalis peruviana : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S            
    T T T T T T        
    P P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 - 150 cm apart
  • Harvest in 14-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Will happily grow in a flower border but tends to sprawl over other plants.

Your comments and tips

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10 Jun 17, James (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
After further research I have found that the husked plants I saw were "ground cherries" a close relative of the cape gooseberry that grows natively in Canada! The cultivated variety is "Aunt Mollys" and you can buy seeds from Veseys. Wild ones are considered a weed/pest by farmers. I have also read that if you eat them before ripe, they are poisonous.
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03 Jun 17, dogs1 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My gooseberry bushes are growing thick and with vigour The green envelopes some with no fruit or with small specks or green undeveloped fruit inside.What am i doing wrong.Ample water. could there be too much Raised garden bed.disapointment !
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09 Jun 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Undeveloped fruit is normally an indication of lack of pollination which is an increasing problem. Perhaps include as many flowering 'daisy' type plants to encourage bees and other pollinating insects.
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23 May 17, Anabela C. Tortorell (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I live in Georgia, USA and returned from a visit to Portugal in January, 2017 and one of my cousins who lives in the area of Arganil (North Portugal) gave me a few very ripe Cape Gooseberries to try. I planted the very ripe fruits in some potted soil once the weather was warm enough outside and kept it moist, and sure enough I have quite a few seedlings which are ready for transplant to my garden. So buy some Gooseberries, let them ripen, plant a few crushed fruits to release the seeds and be patient. So give it a try and good luck!!
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28 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Anabela, It's good to hear some successes and good results from gardeners. More food bearing trees and shrubs should be planted as it is fun to just go out and pick something that you've grown yourself. Keep it up!
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23 May 17, Marilize du Toit (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
When do I prune a gooseberry bush. We live in the southern Cape so winter rainfall area. bush has just become overgrown
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24 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
If you get frosts in your area it would be better to prune them after frosts have finished. Cutting them back now would promote some new growth which could be damaged by frosts.
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22 May 17, Wilgara (Australia - temperate climate)
At what time would you plant the seeds Johnno? I have a hot house. This plant was a gift to me and I just harvested the seeds from the last fruit which was about the size of a large pea. It is still in the pot. Many thanks. Wilgara
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24 May 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
You would normally plant the seeds from August through December but you could start them in June or July in a hot house ready for a good start in spring.
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13 May 17, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
In Nov 2016 I posted that I'd bought seeds of the Johnson World Kitchen brand. I sowed them straight into the ground. I am now (in May) harvesting big cape gooseberries which are great. Very easy to grow, I use composted horse manure/kitchen scraps and they seem to love it.
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Search -- edible.co.nz Full sun Shelter from winds and tolerates moderate salty marine conditions. Are frost tender and grows as an annual in colder regions. In warmer areas they will grow for several seasons producing seedlings to continue the plants. Frosts can burn the plants but will recover unless the frost was hard. Prune back after all frosts have passed. Cape Gooseberries will grow in a wide range of soils and pHs. Soil must be well draining. Plants will handle periods of drought but too much moisture could encourage fungal problems. Plant in early spring as this will help with an earlier fruit set, space 0.5-1.5 apart. In most situations Cape Gooseberries do not need any fertiliser. Unneeded fertiliser could result in lots of vegetation and little fruit. Pinch out new shoots to encourage bushy growth. Prune back hard in spring to encourage new growth for fruiting. Pests Very few problems unless the soil is too wet and causes fungal problems and rot. ------------------------------------------- if you are going to fertilise only put small amounts on. A 9L water can with a tablespoon or two of fertiliser - with a low N% with some P and K. Don't use the tomato fertiliser - far too much N. A suggestion - a little manure or compost mixed into the soil - compost or mulch around the plants will help cool the soil down in summer - also you will save water by doing this. With your high temperatures I would suggest you make a shade cover for summer - in Australia we have shade cloth - 50-70-90%. Find some cheap wood off cuts and make a frame - then nail the shade cloth to it. Or some black poly pipe about 25mm thick and make an arc over the plants. By the article the plants should only grow to a meter or so high.

- Mike

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