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
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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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26 Oct 10, Jon (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some seeds in a mini hothouse three weeks ago and they are yet to germinate. Are they slow or do I have a dud seed packet?
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27 Sep 10, Don (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can anyone offer advice on growing cape gooseberries on the Gulf Coast? I have seeds and I'm curious about when to plant them.
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19 Nov 10, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Don, you should be able to grow cape gooseberries most of the year on the Gulf Coast. Frost or drought will affect them but otherwise they like warm, humid weather.
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26 May 10, David Window (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Would like to contact someone SE Qld, northern NSW who is growing commercially to purchase 15 - 20 kg of berries, still in the husk, per week while in season. Thanks David Window
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26 Apr 11, liz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi David I expect to have some vines flowering very soon which means ripe fruit in the next couple of months. let me know if you still need supplier. Liz, Byron Bay
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21 Mar 14, Carlene Lillford (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Liz I am also interested in growing gooseberries commercially on Mid North Coast NSW I have had some growing in the garden & doing well but would like more information on the possibility of growing them commercially. Can you help?
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04 Aug 10, vicky ashenden (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi david did you find anyone that grows cape gooseberry or any dried ones please let me know thanks
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I've never staked them, but I suppose tying up the stems might help like staking tomatoes to keep the fruit off the ground. You could try putting wire mesh around the plants so the stems grow through the mesh for support.

- Anonymous

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