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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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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30 Jul 16, Glenn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in North Lakes, Brisbane and would like to get hold of some seeds or seedlings or a plant. Does anyone know where I can get them from
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18 Nov 16, Simone (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Glenn Ebay has seed supplier in SA. Littlebee*2010 Simone
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20 Nov 16, Amy Robertson (Australia - temperate climate)
Also try Greenpatch seeds, they'll post a small plant, mine are doing great from them.
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25 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Glenn, Cape Gooseberry seeds are readily available in Tasmania. If you provide details, I will send you a packet. Regards.
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30 May 18, Sue (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Could you let me know where I could buy some seeds?
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13 Mar 18, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
If you have any cape gooseberry seeds left. Or you can tell me where I could get some. Would like to try growing some.
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23 Oct 16, Amber (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought a seedling at Bunnings today for just $6 for a 20cm or so plant.
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30 Aug 16, Maria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just order Cape Gooseberries seeds from Australia Gardener-Beataricals packet of 30 seeds for $3.50
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22 Aug 16, Mary-Ann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
green harvest Maleny has them ! have you tried their very tasty close relation Cossack pineapple also at green harvest - we are Dayboro so climate similar
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Have a cape gooseberry going on 3 summers now. Not much fruit in first year, bucket load in 2nd summer, now bucket loads in 3rd summer. Red spider mites would attack it from about March through to start of winter, but we just cut it back to about 20cm from base and the spider mites disappear heading into the winter. Noticed about a month ago after the hot weather hit, that alot of new flowers would just fall off at the slightest touch. Put this down to lack of water, so we placed sugar cane mulch to about 6 inches thick and out to a radius of about a meter, then stretched shade cloth over the mulch and pegged down (to keep the blackbirds from destroying the mulch). Under the mulch cover we also placed weaper hose and had this going for a few hours each day, and problem soon resolved with loads more flowers and setting fruit.

- Brad

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