Your comments and tips

01 Aug 17, Carol (Australia - tropical climate)

Lack of flowers usually means the plant is short on potassium. A foliar spray every two weeks will make a huge difference. I have them growing in Australia in the wet tropics (winter 15 to 27C) now in part shade, in the summer they will be better in some shade and make sure they are moist all the time with good drainage

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10 Sep 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Carole Try Phosphorus for flowers or extra flowers and when the flowers appear then Potassium for better flowers and sweeter fruit - I have been doing it that way for 35 years with various common and odd fruit. I do this with all vegetables and fruit which form from flowers such as tomatoes, cucumbers passionfruit etc

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31 Jul 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

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.

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16 Jul 17, Elisha (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have recently acquired several very healthy cape gooseberry plants that were grown about 40mins drive away. However our weather is much harsher (cold and snow several times a year). Do they stand a chance out in the weather or should I find a home for them in the greenhouse?

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17 Jul 17, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

They're frost sensitive and will die over winter unless you keep them in a greenhouse.

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28 Jun 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Growing up during the Forties gooseberries along with tomatoes grew wild in scrub country just off the road near our town. Did not seem to have pests in those days. My mother used to make jam and gooseberry pie. The pie was my favourite, absolutely delicious. I am having another go at growing again with one plant in the ground and another in a pot. Will have to protect from frosts and insects.

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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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