View the Cape Gooseberry page

01 Sep 16 Suzanne (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Phil, I have the same problem, Ive been growing Physalis Cape Gooseberry for 3 years in full sun in a pot in the Hills District of Sydney and they never ripen. I feed the soil in the pot and give away lots of seedings that perform a lot better. My grandmother had a huge bush and we had absolutely amazing cape gooseberry jam - also in Northern Italy they pull back the husks to look like wings leaving a long stalk on the ripe berry and dip the berry to half cover in chocolate and they are very expensive to buy and taste delicious... I too would love to have a solution to the half-ripening and still small when they drop off, berries. Let me know if you have an answer.

Reply

11 Oct 16 James (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Suzanne, I am by no means an experienced Cape Gooseberry grower, but I have had more success with ripening by treating the plant a little meaner. Don't feed your plant, too much nitrogen makes it grow leaves and the leaves prevent ripening I have found. James

Reply