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                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 5a 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 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 - 59 inches 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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20 Jun 20, Harvey Youssef (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Will the plants survive the winter in Virginia (zone 7)?
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28 May 20, Reda Soliman (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Can I plant golden gooseberry fruit at Illinois ZIP Code 60007
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28 May 20, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Have a look at this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Cape Gooseberry?zone=14
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01 May 20, Wilma (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have been successful with planting my own gooseberry plant from seeds. Mind however not a bush but long stem which need support. How can I "train" or prune it into a bush.
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14 Apr 20, Tina Christopher (Australia - temperate climate)
While leaning over the gooseberry plant , I started coughing And difficult in breathing , can you get a reaction of this plant
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08 Apr 20, Hugh Thenasia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
50cm between plants is not even close to sufficient IMHO. I have 2.5m between plants and can only just harvest comfortably...
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09 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Never grown them but 50cm sounds far too close. If like tomatoes then 90-100 cm should be sufficient. The further apart the more soil the plant has to draw nutrient from and then the bigger the plant in size. I have zucchini plants approx 1.2m across, nothing growing near them.
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07 Apr 20, Charlene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, Do they prefer sunlight, shade or semi shade?
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08 Apr 20, Hugh Thenasia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Bright sunlight is best and no need to water heavily. ;-)
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08 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Most vegetables need a fair amount of sunlight, that is one of the main ingredients for them to grow. Some only need 4-6 hrs, some 6-8 hrs. Try growing something in shade and see how it grows. Read up on the internet how many hours of sun plants need.
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Showing 81 - 90 of 558 comments
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I have a cape gooseberry, and I love the fruit. BUT so does some grub. It makes a hole in the papery case (even when the fruit is just developing). What is this grub, and how can I prevent it from having more fruit that I do? I check the plant daily, and try to remove any affected fruit, to prevent them dropping and perpetuating the life cycle, BUT they are more tricky than I. I have bees and grow every thing organically.

- Dorothy Kerby

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