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 S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P P         P P P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - sub-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

01 Dec 13, Slice Of Eden (Australia - temperate climate)
One thing that can cause this is over watering as the fruit develops as it swells the fruit too quickly compared with the rate the skin grows. Try reducing watering if you may have been a little heavy-handed with the hose. It can happen with tomatoes also.
05 Nov 13, BARBARA SKELTON (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The leaves of my goosberry bush are turning yellow. Does this mean we need to fertilise more often?
30 Aug 14, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I have observed my leaves turning yellow also, but what I have noticed is that as they turn yellow, there are new young green leaves [new growth] appearing right next to yellow leaves.these are just old leaves dying off as new leaves appear. Hope this helps. SUE
30 Oct 13, Henry Phaltas (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear sirs, I love to have GOODBERRY........IS THIS INCA BERRY,.......ALSO MACA......do you have BOTH SEEDS. I live in SYDNEY.......High regards Henry
26 Oct 13, Henry (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear Sirs, Kindlt advise how I buy the seeds of incaberry. Regards Henry
08 Sep 13, Kay Bodman (Australia - temperate climate)
My bush is covered in 'fruit' - they stay green, very few ripen. if they do they are only half recipe. Many do not form. The bush is in full sun, very drained, and fed. Any clues. I am lucky to get 25 pods per week. Thak you
04 Sep 13, Kay White (Australia - tropical climate)
Bunnings sell cape gooseberry plants in Queensland
03 Sep 13, Kaye (Australia - tropical climate)
I have very vigourous looking plants with a few pods but nothing in them. What am I doing wrong? Ihave a friend nearby who gets heaps or fruit so it,s not my zone.
15 Aug 13, John (Australia - arid climate)
Hello - 4 stakes on the ground in a square around the bush - each stake about 450mm - 600mm apart and wind some cord (not string) around it to form a "cage" will do the trick - with about 250mm between each horizontal cord so you can reach into the plant. Any stems that protrude can be pushed back in.
15 Aug 13, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I live near Brisbane Qld Each year after all the gooseberries are picked I cut them down to about 50-100mm high. They regrow from this fairly quickly. If they seem to be getting high and straggley you can cut them back by about half (about 30mm high) and end up with a shorter but thicker bush ( and more gooseberries ) Plenty and regular water but not waterlogged and a frequent dose 10-3-6 fertilizer
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