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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 - 150 cm 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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01 Aug 16, Deon (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
hi do capegoose beries require full sun?
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01 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
In my experience, they grow fine in full sun, but they bear more fruit if they have a bit of shade. I plant mine in flowerbeds and sheltered behind taller trees/plants, so they get morning sun and then dappled shade for the rest of the day.
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24 Mar 16, Sandi Inch (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
would I be able to grow gooseberries on my window sill as I live in a flat. I have planted seeds and have a plant come up which is 3 - 4 cm in height....... will it survive?
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04 Feb 16, Mandrid (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Does anyone still have cape gooseberry seedlings available?
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25 Nov 15, omari (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have cape gooseberry seeds and seedlings ...if interested get back to me
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05 Feb 16, Mandrid Blignaut (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Omari Do you still have gooseberry seedlings available? We're looking for a large number.
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30 Dec 15, bian kaighin (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hope I am not too late, f not I would like about 6 plants please. I live west Durban so please advise price including delivery
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28 Aug 15, Beth Prins (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
What soil will gooseberries best grow in. I have managed to grow some from seed but they seem to wilt when they reach around 20/30 cm tall. I battle to get them to grow to full height and fruit.
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21 Jul 15, Kalidasan (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I need cape gooseberry seeds. Where its possible?
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10 Aug 15, Pam (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try Living Seeds and Organic Seeds. Both are online shops
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Showing 21 - 30 of 48 comments
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How I got my Cape Gooseberry to grow from a cutting..The cutting I managed to get was about 3cm long. It was the tip of one of the branches. When I got it home after a 30 minutes car drive, I let the cutting soak in cool tap water for a couple of hours. Then I put the cutting into a small pot with 3/4 of soil. I then put 3 small stakes about 15cm above the pot level wedged around the edge of the pot. Then I use a clear plastic bag and covered the pot. I made a small hole in the bag for ventilation and also for watering the pot without having to take the plastic bag off. keeping it moist but not damped I noticed the cutting was getting bigger and side shoots began to show. When it got to about 15cm tall I transplant the gooseberry into a glasshouse. about 3 months later the gooseberry plant is over 1.5metre tall and has dozens of side shoots over a meter tall. It's like going wild in my glasshouse. And yes, the tree is loaded with fruit but not riped to pick as yet. Since my cape gooseberry took off and produced many side shoots I've been making more cuttings. Now I don't know what the hell I am going to do with all the new plants I've made. So it is very easy to grow Cape Gooseberry from cuttings as long as the cutting has a tip or a nod/ bud where branches or new side shoots going to come out of. Anyone in the Canberra area wanting a cutting or small Gooseberry tree let me know.

- Canh

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