Name: Physalis peruviana
Brand: Les jardins de l'écoumène
SKU: ECOU-SEMENCES
Price: 4.49 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

Cerise de terre géante. Fruits jaunes de physalis dans leurs enveloppes sèches ouvertes. Le cadrage permet de voir les formes, les couleurs et les détails du sujet représenté. Les contours se détachent du fond de l’image, avec des différences de teinte et de texture visibles sur les surfaces. Cette vue accompagne la présentation du produit dans la boutique.

Fruit Nightshades

Organic seeds

Les jardins de l'écoumène

From seed to harvest

Open-pollinated

Common nameCape Gooseberry; goldenberry

FamilyNightshades

GenusPhysalis

SpeciesPeruvian

TypeFruit

Botanical namePhysalis peruviana

Reproducible seedsYes

Quantity per packet25 seeds

Physalis peruviana — Cape Gooseberry. Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. Grown as an annual in this climate, this tender perennial appreciates heat and full sun, developing a broad, productive habit that immediately draws attention in the garden. Its vigorous growth suits vegetable gardens devoted to interesting food crops, generously sized containers and ornamental plantings where the harvest also has a place in the kitchen. Its small, unobtrusive flowers bring activity to the summer garden and attract pollinating insects, helping the developing fruit progress through the growing season.

Sowing fruit seeds: February to April. The depth to be respected is 0.5 cm (0.2 in.). Seedlings generally emerge within 7 to 14 days. For germination, keep the soil at 21 to 26°C (70 to 79°F). Handle young fruit plants gently without crushing their crowns. Give them enough light so that the leaves remain well developed and the stems do not lengthen unnecessarily. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors before planting into the garden. Set the root balls into prepared soil, then water around the roots to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil.

As the papery husks expand and dry, watching the harvest develop becomes part of its appeal: each fully ripe fruit offers a bite that is sweet, fruity and slightly tart. Choose a growing position where you can easily reach the small fruits when they are ready to harvest. Make sure neighbouring plants do not cover the foliage or hide the fruit when it is time to pick it. Leave a path or one side of the bed open so that you can tend the plants without stepping close to their roots. Keeping the planting clearly visible lets you check the colour of the fruit and promptly remove any that are damaged after rain.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun
Life cycle: Tender perennial grown as an annual in Quebec

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

0.5 cm (0.2 in)

Germination temperature

21 to 26°C (70 to 79°F)

Germination time

7 to 14 days

Sowing period

February to April

Propagation

From seed

Growing method

Recommended planting period: February to April. The depth to be respected is 0.5 cm (0.2 in.). Seedlings generally emerge within 7 to 14 days. For germination, keep the soil at 21 to 26°C (70 to 79°F). Handle young fruit plants gently without crushing their crowns. Give them enough light so that the leaves remain well developed and the stems do not lengthen unnecessarily. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors before planting into the garden. Set the root balls into prepared soil, then water around the roots to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil. Wait for the foliage to recover before multiplying the interventions. Watch the flowers and then the young fruit as they develop, following the crop’s progress towards harvest. Pick the fruit when it is ripe and remove damaged pieces to help keep the remaining harvest clean. Avoid leaving the parts harvested for a long time in a warm container in the sun. In the garden, protection under the fruit limits contact with a moist soil. Keep the healthy leaves that feed the plant and facilitate access to successive harvests. Earth cherries are harvested when their fruits have reached full maturity. Regular harvesting allows for the removal of damaged fruit and the monitoring of production.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Moisture

Keep the growing mix moist during germination, without standing water; then adjust to the crop

Watering

Water at the base of the plant when the surface of the ground begins to dry, wetting the root zone. Keep regular applications during flowering and fruit development, without keeping the roots in saturated soil. Avoid repeated splashes on the foliage and let the excess drain containers. A mulch can reduce evaporation around established plants. Adapt the frequency to the available rain, wind, heat and earth volume.

Soil type

Prepare well-drained soil for planting. Handle young fruit plants gently without crushing their crowns. Give them enough light so that the leaves remain well developed and the stems do not lengthen unnecessarily. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors before planting into the garden. Set the root balls into prepared soil, then water around the roots to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil.

Fertilization

Fertilization supports growth and should take into account the nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suitable for the crop, following the recommended application rate. Avoid combining too many products, especially in a container where the roots have a limited volume of growing medium. Water as needed after applying nutrients, and observe foliage growth before deciding whether another fertilizer application is necessary.

Seasonal care

As the papery husks expand and dry, watching the harvest develop becomes part of its appeal: each fully ripe fruit offers a bite that is sweet, fruity and slightly tart. Handle young fruit plants gently without crushing their crowns. Give them enough light so that the leaves remain well developed and the stems do not lengthen unnecessarily. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors before planting into the garden. Set the root balls into prepared soil, then water around the roots to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil. Wait for the foliage to recover before multiplying the interventions. Watch the flowers and then the young fruit as they develop, following the crop’s progress towards harvest. Pick the fruit when it is ripe and remove damaged pieces to help keep the remaining harvest clean. Avoid leaving the parts harvested for a long time in a warm container in the sun. In the garden, protection under the fruit limits contact with a moist soil. Keep the healthy leaves that feed the plant and facilitate access to successive harvests. Earth cherries are harvested when their fruits have reached full maturity. Regular harvesting allows for the removal of damaged fruit and the monitoring of production. Green fruits and vegetative parts are kept away from food preparation. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it thoroughly before a short stay in the refrigerator. Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Suitable for containers

Yes

Recommended pot size

A stable container with drainage holes, enough width for the plant’s spread and sufficient depth for its roots

Choose a location in full sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 60 to 80 cm (2 to 3 ft). A fruit container must remain stable when the foliage and the harvest take up volume. Choose a well-rooted root ball and a pot that leaves room for its development. Check drainage prior to planting, then monitor moisture during flowering and fruit development. Pots close to an entrance facilitate small gatherings. Turn them only if the support and rods can follow the movement without damage. Its vigorous growth suits vegetable gardens devoted to interesting food crops, generously sized containers and ornamental plantings where the harvest also has a place in the kitchen. Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. Grown as an annual in this climate, this tender perennial appreciates heat and full sun, developing a broad, productive habit that immediately draws attention in the garden. Its small, unobtrusive flowers bring activity to the summer garden and attract pollinating insects, helping the developing fruit progress through the growing season.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

1 m (3 ft)

Width / spread

60 to 80 cm (2 to 3 ft)

Foliage type

Seasonal foliage

Edible parts

Mature fruit

Bloom period

Flowering usually occurs in this period: summer. Its small, unobtrusive flowers bring activity to the summer garden and attract pollinating insects, helping the developing fruit progress through the growing season. Leave the flowers and developing young fruit on the plants when your aim is to bring the crop through to harvest. The actual flowering date varies with the time of sowing, the warmth available and how well the plants have become established. Maintain regular moisture at the base of the plant without soaking the soil, then observe the fruit formation before intervening.

Fruiting

Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. As the papery husks expand and dry, watching the harvest develop becomes part of its appeal: each fully ripe fruit offers a bite that is sweet, fruity and slightly tart.

Harvest

70 to 80 days after sowing

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

In a mixed planting, you can reserve sections close to these plants: basil, tomato, pepper. The association is used here to organize space and crops. Allow for the height, light requirements and water needs of each plant, leaving enough room between the foliage. Keep a path clear for watering and harvesting, then remove finished crops to make room for the next planting. This arrangement makes maintenance easier without promising protection against garden pests. Choose a growing position where you can easily reach the small fruits when they are ready to harvest.

Garden use

Choose a growing position where you can easily reach the small fruits when they are ready to harvest. Make sure neighbouring plants do not cover the foliage or hide the fruit when it is time to pick it. Leave a path or one side of the bed open so that you can tend the plants without stepping close to their roots. Keeping the planting clearly visible lets you check the colour of the fruit and promptly remove any that are damaged after rain. Put the supports in place before the developing stems begin to need them. Its vigorous growth suits vegetable gardens devoted to interesting food crops, generously sized containers and ornamental plantings where the harvest also has a place in the kitchen. Cultivating the giant cherries of earth means bringing into the vegetable garden a warm, productive and charming plant, which unites exoticism, abundance and gourmet pleasure. Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. Grown as an annual in this climate, this tender perennial appreciates heat and full sun, developing a broad, productive habit that immediately draws attention in the garden. Its small, unobtrusive flowers bring activity to the summer garden and attract pollinating insects, helping the developing fruit progress through the growing season.

Recipe and storage

Recipe idea

From garden to table

Recipe idea using Cape Gooseberry: fruit compote for four servings. Prepare 400 g of perfectly ripe fruit, with the stems and husks removed, 30 g of sugar and 30 ml of water. Heat gently in a saucepan for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring, until the fruit softens. Taste and adjust the sugar according to the acidity of the harvest. Allow the mixture to cool, then serve it with plain yogurt. For ground cherries, discard unripe green fruit and all non-fruit parts; keep only healthy, fully ripe fruit. Prepare the ingredients with clean utensils and adapt the cut to the size of your harvest. This recipe highlights freshly picked parts: remove damaged pieces before preparation. If you double the quantities, keep enough space in the dish to mix or cook evenly. Quickly place leftovers in the refrigerator in a closed container and consume them within two days. For a two-person meal, simply divide all quantities by two.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Cape Gooseberry from seed?

Recommended planting period: February to April. The depth to be respected is 0.5 cm (0.2 in.). Seedlings generally emerge within 7 to 14 days. For germination, keep the soil at 21 to 26°C (70 to 79°F). Handle young fruit plants gently without crushing their crowns. Give them enough light so that the leaves remain well developed and the stems do not lengthen unnecessarily. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors before planting into the garden. Set the root balls into prepared soil, then water around the roots to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil. Wait for the foliage to recover before multiplying the interventions.

Can I grow Cape Gooseberry in a container?

Choose a location in full sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 60 to 80 cm (2 to 3 ft). A fruit container must remain stable when the foliage and the harvest take up volume. Choose a well-rooted root ball and a pot that leaves room for its development. Check drainage prior to planting, then monitor moisture during flowering and fruit development. Pots close to an entrance facilitate small gatherings. Turn them only if the support and rods can follow the movement without damage. Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen.

When can I harvest Cape Gooseberry?

Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. As the papery husks expand and dry, watching the harvest develop becomes part of its appeal: each fully ripe fruit offers a bite that is sweet, fruity and slightly tart. Easy to integrate near tomatoes and herbs, it offers a regular harvest that extends the pleasure of the garden to jams and homemade desserts. Earth cherries are harvested when their fruits have reached full maturity. Regular harvesting allows for the removal of damaged fruit and the monitoring of production.

What makes Cape Gooseberry distinctive in the garden?

Inside the delicate husks that resemble small lanterns, rounded fruits slowly ripen to a deep orange colour, gradually developing the intense, complex flavour for which the mature harvest is valued in the kitchen. Grown as an annual in this climate, this tender perennial appreciates heat and full sun, developing a broad, productive habit that immediately draws attention in the garden. Its vigorous growth suits vegetable gardens devoted to interesting food crops, generously sized containers and ornamental plantings where the harvest also has a place in the kitchen. Its small, unobtrusive flowers bring activity to the summer garden and attract pollinating insects, helping the developing fruit progress through the growing season.

How do I arrange a planting of Cape Gooseberry?

Choose a growing position where you can easily reach the small fruits when they are ready to harvest. Make sure neighbouring plants do not cover the foliage or hide the fruit when it is time to pick it. Leave a path or one side of the bed open so that you can tend the plants without stepping close to their roots. Keeping the planting clearly visible lets you check the colour of the fruit and promptly remove any that are damaged after rain. Put the supports in place before the developing stems begin to need them. Watch the flowers and then the young fruit as they develop, following the crop’s progress towards harvest. Pick the fruit when it is ripe and remove damaged pieces to help keep the remaining harvest clean.