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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23 Feb 11, Shayne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi can anyone tell me if I can buy these seeds from any shops in the Brisbane - preferably south Brisbane? Thanks Shayne
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24 Feb 11, Ken (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Shayne, Do a search for Eden Seeds, Their at Lower Beechmont Cheers
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02 Feb 11, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is there anyone in the Gladstone, QLD region who has seedlings that I could purchase? Thanks, Andrew
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23 Feb 11, Ken (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Andrew, If your interested in some seeds, I've got some here in Rocky. Send a self addressed envelope to KjW 375 East St R'ton and I'll send you a dozen or so. Rgards KjW
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07 May 19, Al (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Ken, Do you still have some cape gooseberry seed still available. I am on the coast 40km away and would like to try growing them. This in advance, Al
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04 Jan 11, Melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Queensland- Brisbane northside and would like to get hold of some seeds or a seedling. Does anyone know where I can locate some close-by?? Thanks, Mel.
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11 Jan 11, jamie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there Melody, i live in petrie..and have some seedlings of the golden gooseberry.
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01 Jun 11, geoffrey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i would like to try and grow some do you have address where we can contact supplier or post seed po box 243 gayndah qld 4625 thanks in advance and we will reinbust you
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01 Feb 11, Melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Great, Jamie am I able to have some please?! If so where from in Petrie? I remember eating these on my grandparents farm in WA.
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26 Oct 10, Jon (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some seeds in a mini hothouse three weeks ago and they are yet to germinate. Are they slow or do I have a dud seed packet?
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Hi Carol, My guess is your plant isn't getting enough water and/ or manure. My cape gooseberry which is now in the green house has gone wild, it's taken over the greenhouse. Not that I mind because it is loaded with fruit. Occasionally I squeeze the green husks to feel how the fruits are developing. The husks that developed in early December has fruits the size of a marble. I don't think they are going to get much bigger than that. New side shoots are still emerging just like the tomato plants and new fruit are developing with these new shoots. How I look after my goose berry is I try to get keep the soil around the plant moist but not damp if you know what i mean. Occasionally I let the soil to almost dry out but never completely dry so the root system can breathe. If you see the leaves starting to wilt from dry soil this will affect the berries in the pods. Try putting dry leaves around the base of the tree to preserve moisture. I don't need to mulch mine because the plant is so bushy it's shading the base itself!! I feed the plant with horse manure. How i do it is, I have a plastic bin about 40 litres with a cover. I put about a supermarket size bag of raw horse manure in the bin then filled it up with water, put the lit on and let it sit for about 2 weeks. I then scoop 4 or 5 cups of this mixture including the grassy bits of the manure from the bin and put into a 10 litre bucket. Fill the bucket up with fresh water, stir them together and water the plants. I feed the plants once every 2 weeks. simple as that..

- Canh

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