Physalis peruviana L (Giant Cape Gooseberry) http://huupo.notlong.com/ 18 March 2008 Physalis peruviana L (Giant Cape Gooseberry). This is the first year for this Giant Cape Gooseberry. It is similar to the Aunt Molly Ground Cherry, but the cultivar is taller. The plant is a perennial, but will be treated as an annual in my Zone 5. Four cultivars will be planted. Germination was 12 days using the high humidity enclosed pot method. http://iushi.notlong.com/ Information about Physalis peruviana L
Very interesting to see who all up in the frozen north is planting South American cultivars this year! I'm a big fan of Uvillas (common name here and Peru) or Uchuvas (Colombia) and I wish you the best of luck, Durgan. I'm guessing you started from seed? Also, what's your elevation? They seem to throw more fruit at or above 1200m.
Hey Durgan, Physalis are one of my favourite plants. I have this species and have found that it is easy to take cuttings and keep small plants overwinter indoors. This can give an earlier start for the plants. Unfortunately they fruit poorly in Vancouver. Our summers are usually too cool. Should do better in Ontario. I find the flavour of this berry to be superior to the Aunt Molly type, although not as sweet. They are richer and tangier.
Physalis pruinosa (Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry) This is the 2007 effort of three plants. http://groundc.notlong.com/ 31 May 2007 http://meino.notlong.com/ 25 July 2007 Physalis pruinosa (Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry) This is the first picking of the fruit. http://aicah.notlong.com/ 25 August 2007 Main picking of the harvest. Imported from Chilli (?) the fruit cost 13 cents each in the Supermarket. The Aunt Molly (Physalis pruinosa) grew so well last year that I decided to branch out with the Physalis peruviana. This year I will have eight plants, four of each. I enjoyed the fruit very much. Elevation is about 600 feet above sea level.
Wow, 13 cents each. Costoso! I buy by the pound at the farmers market for about 80 cents, and I used to trade my next-door neighbors figs for uvillas. I think you'll really like the P. peruviana - the fruit, as Daniel mentioned, is quite a bit more robust and a bit tangier. Around here, there's even a hint of a piney flavour mixed in. I like to put mine in salads; for some reason I have an aversion to tomatoes, but their cousins don't cause me any problem.
http://aikaith.notlong.com/ 3 July 2008 Giant Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L) There are two plants in the garden, and both are thriving.