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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16 Jul 22, Dave (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Carol. Sorry to say in my experience possums can do that and if they don't rats will. Where we live I have mine planted in a hut made of chicken wire and stops all those problems. I think you'll have to protect yours better as well
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07 Aug 22, Adrie (Australia - temperate climate)
We’re in regional Victoria and I have a cape gooseberry between a couple of roses. Nothing eats it. Not possums, rats, snails… It’s still flowering & fruiting prolifically in midwinter which I think is very odd. We had lots self down in a flower garden as a child and they fruited mid to late summer.
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02 Jul 22, Carol (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We had a lovely Cape gooseberry plant growing in a pot and doing really well. Something over a week at nights has proceeded to demolish it first just the leaves then the unripe fruit then last night it has broken the whole plant and destroyed it...can you tell me if it would be possums or a rabbit maybe?
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05 May 22, Mati (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello. I need a few information regarding something I have no knowledge. I've been asked to write a report on Cape Gooseberries (golden berries) and regular Gooseberry plant, how they differ from each other, and whether or not they're compatible with each other; as in if these two plants can be grown side by side. Now as I have zero idea on gardening, I'm having to fully rely on the internet. I've found most of what I need to know. Except for if these two plants can be grown in close proximity in a garden. Can someone kindly provide me with a detailed answer to this?
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06 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Both gooseberries and ground cherries are very unique and distinctive fruits. Due to their different needs, they usually won’t be found together on the same plantation or state.(I don't know what the differences are but could be climate, temperatures etc). Taken from - https://foodiosity.com/gooseberries-vs-ground-cherries/
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16 Sep 21, Kay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Libby: I moved to Katoomba about 33 years ago and also had a lovely bed of these gooseberries. They were doing really well out back although I often wonder if it was sunnier back then. Lost them with landscaping etc and am going to try again. Good Luck! Kay
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29 Apr 21, Libby horth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
30 years ago when we first moved here we had some gooseberries growing and I would like to have them growing again - where can I get some seeds - I live in the blue mountains in NSW
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05 Nov 21, Darren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had purchased some seeds from Bunnings this year and the plants are all doing well, with tiny fruit forming on everyone.
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02 Oct 21, Romano (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought some from ebay. Growing for few months. They are about 60-70cm tall but no fruit yet.
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27 Feb 21, Tony Duffy (Australia - temperate climate)
I've had a gooseberry bush for about 4 years and it has never fruited. It's very healthy with lots of new growth each year but never fruit. I live on the plains in Adelaide.
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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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