harveyc

I shared your problem with some folks that have grown quite a bit of cape gooseberry and received the following suggestion:

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lkailburn

Thanks for the tip!

-Luke

sunfish

For some reason Ground Cherry does not sound appetizing.

venturabananas

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!

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harveyc

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.

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Illia

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

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

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.

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Brian

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

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

Lots of fruit set on this Cape Gooseberry. Getting impatient for them to ripen!

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harveyc

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.

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sunfish

I grow the purple ones they're the best

harveyc

Mine are better

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venturabananas

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! 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.

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sunfish

Mine have a hint of blueberry and acid.

venturabananas

You were hit by blueberries on acid? Gotta watch out for fruits on drugs.

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sunfish

But those are the best

harveyc

Send them here on vacation. Supposed to get back up to 100F by Sunday!

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venturabananas

If I could afford the airfare, I would! But they might decide to stay and never come home.

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