What is causing my Cape Goose Berry to wilt and wither???? I have planted in three distinct micro climates which are slightly different, more sun, some shade, less heat... I have lost all in the shade with high heat , now I am losing one in the sunny but not hot all day zone, so far the high heat and sunny zone is fairing well.... what are it's requisite needs for fruiting with success? All have excellent drainage and soil conditions....and I mean not to sound rhetorical...
Hello, It is so very difficult to diagnose the problem. Here is a link which describes the many problems associated with cape gooseberry (listed under pests and disease). It is also important to consider the environmental conditions which may be causing the plants to decline. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the plant, however, I found two sources which indicated that the plants go dormant due to drought. Were you providing irrigation during dry weather? If not, it is possible that you plants are dormant. Scratch the bark and look for live green wood. If you were not providing water the newly planted plants simply may have dried up and died as a result of lack of water. They may have been planted too deeply. There are so many factors to consider especially for newly planted plants. I am sorry that I cannot be more specific. I assume that you are growing the plant as an annual, as the cape gooseberry can not tolerate frost. Raakel
I'm growing several this year, oddly enough in three distinctly separate situations as well: a part shaded greenhouse, amongst the tomatoes in the garden, and in a shady outdoor bed. The ones in the greenhouse are presently flowering, the others are behind, but thriving. I haven't treated them any differently than a tomato/tomatillo as far as culture goes: perhaps if you're growing tomatoes, eggplant, etc. as well you can compare: is the problem confined to the physalis, or more broadly apparent? Have they been well irrigated, or is it possible that they simply dried up in the recent spell of hot weather?
Thankyou both for your very informative site, and replies. I think the Physalis had its day of neglect, but only by one day....the heat was too intense up against the southern exposed wall of the house... I have a few specimens over 3 feet, plenty of single blossoms...I never knew that the plant produces a single fruit , and at every repeated bifurcation and spreads equally wide. I can't wait for my first harvest...in October???? The soil varies from sandy to loamy mixed with remnant fireplace ashes....
