View Full Version : Physalis: ground cherry and Cape gooseberry
venturabananas
01-01-2012, 09:38 PM
Anyone have experience growing ground cherries (Physalis pruinosa) or Cape Gooseberries (Physalis peruviana)? I read up on them and they sounded pretty easy to grow, and I've tasted Cape Gooseberries and liked them, so I bought some seeds of both. But I'd like to hear from anyone who has personal experience growing them.
sunfish
01-01-2012, 09:45 PM
Anyone have experience growing ground cherries (Physalis pruinosa) or Cape Gooseberries (Physalis peruviana)? I read up on them and they sounded pretty easy to grow, and I've tasted Cape Gooseberries and liked them, so I bought some seeds of both. But I'd like to hear from anyone who has personal experience growing them.
I've grown plenty of tomatillo pretty much the same ?
venturabananas
01-01-2012, 09:50 PM
Good question. Tomatillo are the same genus and I think growing them is pretty much the same. But normally tomatillo are harvested green, before ripe, at least when used in salsa. Ground cherries and Cape Gooseberry are harvested ripe and are sweet, though I read that tomatillo get pretty sweet if you let them ripen rather than harvest them green.
momoese
01-01-2012, 10:30 PM
though I read that tomatillo get pretty sweet if you let them ripen rather than harvest them green.
That's an interesting bit. The possibilities!
Richard
01-01-2012, 10:48 PM
Anyone have experience growing ground cherries (Physalis pruinosa) or Cape Gooseberries (Physalis peruviana)? I read up on them and they sounded pretty easy to grow, and I've tasted Cape Gooseberries and liked them, so I bought some seeds of both. But I'd like to hear from anyone who has personal experience growing them.
Interesting what names sellers of seeds come up with!
Husk Tomato = Physalis pruinosa (http://www.bioversityinternational.org/databases/new_world_fruits_database/detail.html?tx_wfqbe_pi1[species_id]=1167).
I don't believe I've ever seen this plant.
Peruvian Groundcherry, Cape Gooseberry = Physalis peruviana.
A favorite around here.
Tomatillo, Cutleaf Groundcherry, Mexican Husk Tomato = Physalis angulata.
venturabananas
01-01-2012, 11:26 PM
Tony and Richard, any hints on growing tomatillos / Cape Gooseberries? I read that they don't need much: just a little fert and nothing else special. Treat them like tomatoes and they'll be happy.
Richard
01-02-2012, 12:02 AM
Tony and Richard, any hints on growing tomatillos / Cape Gooseberries? I read that they don't need much: just a little fert and nothing else special. Treat them like tomatoes and they'll be happy.
Exactly.
Tomatillos are fast growing and often spindly. If you are using 1-foot square tomato cages, plant two per cage.
Peruvian groundcherry definitely trails. I grow them in 14" pots and let them trail over the side.
Avoid fertilizers with proportionally high nitrogen. For example, I wouldn't use fish emulsion.
harveyc
01-02-2012, 12:28 AM
Mark, I have some seeds of them that I should get planted now that you reminded me.
I saw Alex Silber had them growing at his and his father's nursery in Woodland Hills (Papaya Tree Nursery). I've heard that my season might be a little short to grow them well here but I'll try to give them a try.
venturabananas
01-02-2012, 12:38 AM
Thanks Harvey. I also saw the ones that Alex was growing. They're supposed to be easy to grow from seed, which is good because I usually can't justify paying Alex's prices -- only when I save my pennies for something I can't get elsewhere!
harveyc
01-02-2012, 01:15 AM
Haha, I bought a plant from Alex once. I committed to buying a plant without a price tag on it. Last time I'll make that mistake!
I'd also like to get one of his grafted Santa Fe carob trees but not for $125!!!!!
venturabananas
01-02-2012, 01:30 AM
Yes, not putting prices on your plants is a good way of suckering someone (like me) into buying a hard to get plant. I've bought several plants from Alex, but only a couple with prices that really made me think twice. I've had to walk away from several after hearing the price!
harveyc
02-16-2012, 02:13 PM
Okay, here's a photo of the ones I got my seed from.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=47943 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=47920&ppuser=775)
lkailburn
02-16-2012, 02:51 PM
I've only grown it one year, was easy to grow, only trouble i seemed to have was getting the plant to consistantly ripen the fruit fully before dropping them. Most seemed to drop around 75% ripe. Still edible, but not as good as when they are that nice dark orange
-Luke
Dalmatiansoap
02-16-2012, 04:21 PM
How hardy they are?
harveyc
02-16-2012, 04:25 PM
I've heard they're sensitive to frost as well as very hot weather and require a long growing season, that's why I've started them indoors early.
Richard
02-16-2012, 04:45 PM
I've heard they're sensitive to frost as well as very hot weather and require a long growing season, that's why I've started them indoors early.
My experience is that they are sensitive to temperatures below 45 F. But for the growing season, I would say it does not require a long season in my temperate climate -- instead it has a long productive season and out-performs its relative the tomatillo.
harveyc
02-16-2012, 07:35 PM
My experience is that they are sensitive to temperatures below 45 F. But for the growing season, I would say it does not require a long season in my temperate climate -- instead it has a long productive season and out-performs its relative the tomatillo.
I think for up here folks have had a hard time getting them in the ground early enough to fruit so they need a longer season than tomatoes, I guess or maybe folks just have been more used to buying tomato transplants and don't get started with their cape gooseberry soon enough. Mine were planted 2-3 weeks ago and should do okay, I hope.
Richard
02-16-2012, 08:29 PM
I think for up here folks have had a hard time getting them in the ground early enough to fruit so they need a longer season than tomatoes, I guess or maybe folks just have been more used to buying tomato transplants and don't get started with their cape gooseberry soon enough. Mine were planted 2-3 weeks ago and should do okay, I hope.
A 16" to 17" pot works great.
harveyc
02-16-2012, 09:33 PM
A 16" to 17" pot works great.
I might do that if I really like them but that's pretty heavy to move around much.
Richard
02-16-2012, 10:23 PM
I might do that if I really like them but that's pretty heavy to move around much.
Oh I won't move it, just performs better than putting it in the ground.
harveyc
02-19-2012, 11:39 AM
I've only grown it one year, was easy to grow, only trouble i seemed to have was getting the plant to consistantly ripen the fruit fully before dropping them. Most seemed to drop around 75% ripe. Still edible, but not as good as when they are that nice dark orange
-Luke
I shared your problem with some folks that have grown quite a bit of cape gooseberry and received the following suggestion:
There are many possible causes: nutrition, "wet feet", weather, abortion due to pest attack e.g. white flies etc. For a remedy I would try adding calcium first, e.g. burnt egg shells or dolomite. If calcium does not help then try kinetin, e.g. burnt crab/shrimp shells, seaweed, or commercial preparations such as "Bonide Tomato and Blossom Set Spray".
lkailburn
02-20-2012, 10:48 AM
Thanks for the tip!
-Luke
sunfish
02-20-2012, 12:30 PM
For some reason Ground Cherry does not sound appetizing. :08:
venturabananas
06-18-2012, 12:25 AM
Here's a photo of two Physalis, both grown from seed. Both are supposed to be "Cape Gooseberry" (Physalis peruviana), but I'm surprised by how different the foliage is. The flowers look the same and the newer leaves on the big-leafed one is starting to look more angular like the other. The one on the left is from seed from Harvey (thanks!) and the one on the right is from seed from Trade Winds.
They were slow to start, but once the get going the really crank. Root growth seemed to outpace leaf growth. They have been easy, enjoyable plants so far. I also have some "Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry" (Physalis pruinosa) that I started later, after the first round of seedlings croaked. I'll report on them, too, when the get further along.
I'm looking forward to sampling the fruit. It's been a while since I've had a "Cape Gooseberry". I noticed them for sale in a Whole Foods market for some ridiculous price, something like $6 for 4 ounces. I'm too cheap to pay that, or, let's be honest, to shop at Whole Foods!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49361&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=49361&ppuser=7760)
harveyc
06-18-2012, 12:58 AM
Thanks for the photo comparison, Mark. Mine are pretty big 4' tall plants now and I've had fruit set for maybe six weeks. Besides getting an earlier start than you we've also had some pretty warm weather up here (104.6F yesterday was pretty warm, eh?). I've not grown these before and am a bit surprised that a plant with such big foliage develops the fruit so slowly. The fruits inside the husks are still pretty small, maybe 1/2" in diameter.
Illia
06-18-2012, 01:00 AM
I grow loads of P. pruinosa in my greenhouse every year, well, as long as I've had this greenhouse at least. Never had P. peruviana, but I love the original Ground Cherry. One of mine is also the Aunt Molly's. Some say they have a sweet nutty flavor, I say they have a cherry-pineapple-tomato flavor. They're really delicious and this year I hope to grow enough to make plenty preserves and desserts with. One thing is for sure - They produce a lot and quite early!
The plant on the right there looks kinda like P. pruinosa.
Brian
06-18-2012, 03:27 AM
I've grown this. I have a few from different sources and I have got variation. The best ones I've tasted were grown in a garden in a neighbor to my grandmothers house in Albany, CA. They are next to the house and survive all year. They are huge and bare a lot of fruit. I like these particular plants because they seem to have a "tang" to them more so then others I've grown. I finally got some actual plants from that yard and will probably get rid of my others to keep the strain "pure".
While other plants I had had hints of the tang I like it wasn't as strong.
I obtained one from the CRFG Monterey Bay exchange this year as well as one I grew from some purchased seed so I will see how these stack up when they finally fruit.
I have noticed leaf differences in a few plants as well.
harveyc
06-19-2012, 01:08 AM
I noticed a husk drying up this morning and I was impatient so I picked the fruit and ate it. It wasn't fully ripe yet but it was pretty good. :)
Brian
06-19-2012, 02:09 PM
The best ones I've had have been on the ground. Don't think I've ever had a stellar one off the plant. That said I had to let the plant get big enough that some fell on the ground because I didn't have enough self control to let them ripen all the way.
Illia
06-19-2012, 11:47 PM
Agreed, and that goes for both species. The fun thing is, they truly do litter the ground with treats. Even better is that they reseed themselves (if in the right environment) really, really well. My greenhouse "weeds" are actually patches of Ground Cherry starts from last year's dropped fruit. I usually pull them up by the patch and separate them carefully by hand, giving plenty water to break up the root-mass.
venturabananas
07-18-2012, 01:55 PM
Lots of fruit set on this Cape Gooseberry. Getting impatient for them to ripen!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49770&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=49770&ppuser=7760)
harveyc
07-18-2012, 03:24 PM
Mark, is that from the seeds I sent you? I've been picking some for a few weeks. Yesterday a very well-traveled friend came by and picked about 20 and he said that they are possibly his favorite fruit in the world. He said the size of mine were very good. I like them pretty well but my wife thinks they're somewhat weird.
sunfish
07-18-2012, 04:28 PM
I grow the purple ones they're the best
harveyc
07-18-2012, 04:39 PM
Mine are better
venturabananas
07-18-2012, 04:43 PM
Mark, is that from the seeds I sent you? I've been picking some for a few weeks. Yesterday a very well-traveled friend came by and picked about 20 and he said that they are possibly his favorite fruit in the world. He said the size of mine were very good. I like them pretty well but my wife thinks they're somewhat weird.
No, that one is from seeds from Trade Winds. I have two of each kind going now (from you and Trade Winds). All are setting fruit, but the ones from you have set fewer fruit and have a taller, less sprawling, growth habit; and maybe somewhat bigger fruit (or the husks, anyway). It'll be interesting to see how the fruits compare. I'd just like to get to that point where I'm comparing fruit! :ha: Tropical fruits ripen slowly in our 60's - low 70's climate. For instance, there is a dwarf Cavendish plant in my neighborhood that has had a bunch of fruit hanging for over a year now. No sign of ripening.
sunfish
07-18-2012, 04:43 PM
Mine are better
Mine have a hint of blueberry and acid.:woohoonaner:
venturabananas
07-18-2012, 04:46 PM
Mine have a hint of blueberry and acid.:woohoonaner:
You were hit by blueberries on acid? Gotta watch out for fruits on drugs. :ha:
sunfish
07-18-2012, 06:15 PM
You were hit by blueberries on acid? Gotta watch out for fruits on drugs. :ha:
But those are the best :woohoonaner:
harveyc
07-18-2012, 06:34 PM
No, that one is from seeds from Trade Winds. I have two of each kind going now (from you and Trade Winds). All are setting fruit, but the ones from you have set fewer fruit and have a taller, less sprawling, growth habit; and maybe somewhat bigger fruit (or the husks, anyway). It'll be interesting to see how the fruits compare. I'd just like to get to that point where I'm comparing fruit! :ha: Tropical fruits ripen slowly in our 60's - low 70's climate. For instance, there is a dwarf Cavendish plant in my neighborhood that has had a bunch of fruit hanging for over a year now. No sign of ripening.
Send them here on vacation. Supposed to get back up to 100F by Sunday!
venturabananas
07-18-2012, 07:00 PM
Send them here on vacation. Supposed to get back up to 100F by Sunday!
If I could afford the airfare, I would! But they might decide to stay and never come home. :ha:
Illia
07-18-2012, 09:35 PM
If any of you have spare seeds of the Cape Gooseberry species this fall you're willing to share, I'd love some! Especially seeds from a plant with interesting flavored fruit (like the blueberry/acid, or something else neat)
I'm gonna try those next year, so, whichever comes first - buying or getting shared seed, I'm going for. I'm a huge nightshade fan and love the similar Ground Cherry.
venturabananas
11-15-2012, 03:05 AM
Here's a final rundown on how it went with the Physalis (ground cherries) I grew this year. I'd never grown any of these before and they are pretty wonderful, really. I grew two different varieties of Physalis peruviana (aka Cape Gooseberry, Poha, Golden Berry) and one variety of Physalis pruinosa (Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry).
From left to right: two P. peruviana from seeds from Harvey, two P. peruviana from Trade Winds seeds, and one P. pruinosa (Aunt Molly's).
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51340&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51340&ppuser=7760)
left: P. peruviana from Harvey; right: P. peruviana from Trade Winds
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51339&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51339&ppuser=7760)
In my 10'-long raised bed, on left P. peruviana from Trade Winds and on right P. peruviana from Harvey.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51341&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51341&ppuser=7760)
This photo was taken a few months ago, and these plants are now quite a bit bigger. The one on the left has about an 8' diameter now.
P. peruviana is a great plant. It seems immune to all the fungal diseases that make growing tomatoes in my cool, humid, coastal environment a pain in the neck. They don't seem to need any special care, except keeping an eye out for potato beetles and hornworms, both of which absolutely love them. The fruit have their own wrappers and are really tasty. I shared them with lots of my friends and have yet to find anyone who doesn't like them. They have a unique flavor with a nice combination of sweet and tart. My wife, who is picky, loves them.
Though the leaves and fruit are larger on the plants from the seeds that Harvey sent me than on the plants from the Trade Winds seeds, I don't detect any difference in the flavor. The bigger fruit on the "Harvey plants" are a plus, but they were a bit slower to produce than the Trade Winds plants and produced fewer fruit (though probably the same weight of fruit per plant). I'd prefer to have more but smaller fruit, so I'd probably choose the Trade Winds variety, but they are both great, and very similar.
The plants in my raised bed were slower to produce than the potted ones, I'm guessing because of lower soil temperatures, but they are much bigger, more productive, and produce bigger fruit on average. In the photo of the fruit, for the paired fruits of the same variety, the ones on the right are from potted plants. The two potted plants I have are in 5 and 7 gallon containers, and that is too small. I'd say 15 gallons is a minimum -- unless you want to water every day and fertilize a lot. I had to water pretty much every day or every other day during the middle of summer -- and that's in a cool, moist environment.
The Physalis pruinosa I grew didn't work out for me. This species was a pretty fast grower compared to P. peruviana, but was susceptible to some fungal disease that did it in (all 4 plants), and frankly, I didn't really like the flavor. It had a cheesy, slightly bitter taste on top of a more normal fruit flavor. And the fruit were small and tended to drop before getting ripe.
Next year I'll grow at least a few Physalis peruviana plants and I'm going to try Physalis pubescens, based on some rave reviews by Planetrj. But who knows, maybe the plants I still have going now will make it through winter and I won't have to start new ones. They were all easy to start from seeds, so don't pay the outrageous prices I've seen at nurseries near me for potted plants ($29-$46 for a plant in a 3-5 gallon pot). But keep in mind, they are slow to start producing fruit -- much slower that tomatoes.
Dalmatiansoap
11-15-2012, 07:44 AM
How hardy is it?
sunfish
11-15-2012, 08:14 AM
How hardy is it?
Physalis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis)
harveyc
11-15-2012, 11:43 AM
Thanks for the report, Mark.
I had 18 of the physallis plants planted amongst my tomato "garden" (270 plants) and those were very productive. I had another 2 plants planted next to my garage and prepared the soil with compost and those plants got larger but bore much less fruit. I don't really know why, but it was a pretty dramatic difference. The ones with the tomatoes probably got sun for about two more hours a day and were more sheltered from wind. I think there is probably some cultural practice that helps improve productivity. The striped potato beetles really did a number on the ones in the tomato garden and I first tried pyrethrin but then resorted to Sevin. Maybe removing most of the leaves would trigger the plant to flower more?
venturabananas
11-15-2012, 02:07 PM
How hardy is it?
Not sure. I think people in cold climates grow them as annuals, like tomatoes. Given their close relation to tomatoes (same family), I'm guessing they are about equally hardy, but I don't really know. I read somewhere that they will grow back from the roots after a short freeze. I know they can come back after drying out, since my potted ones dried out all the time.
Illia
11-16-2012, 07:29 PM
None of these are hardy at all. I believe people in CA can grow either species year-round, but light frosts will kill P. pruinosa. The only "annual" nightshade I can get to withstand frost is my Litchi Tomato. ( Solanum sisymbriifolium )
I grew a bunch of P. pruinosa again this year in my greenhouse, and as usual got great production, great fruit, and no disease/fungal issues. My plants with my experience did much, much better this year than last. We had our first hard freeze about a week or two ago, so it killed the mature plants but I "rescued" some volunteer starts/babies and they're now growing in my house as a winter experiment.
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