[Goosegirl]

I believe that Pysalis can be very invasive so a bucket sounds a good idea!

You are thinking of the ornamental one GG - Physalis alkekengi.  That is a hardy perennial and does spread a bit.  I've grown it before.

The ones LottieLouis is talking about are killed off by winter frosts 

Thanks Lottie L - didn't know there were different varieties.

[Snoop]

Crikey - I think I shall start calling it 'The Marmite Plant'...You either love it or...you know!
I think I'll give it a go - what is there to lose? If it turns out to be really tart - I'll jam it!   

I grew them once but didn't really like them. Perhaps I didn't leave them late enough, but even the ones that dropped off didn't do much for me. However, as I saw the thread title, it occurred to me that they might make a nice flavoured jelly (mine had a lot of seeds inside). A lot of effort though if you decide they're not for you.

[LottyLouis]

Ooh, I don't know - just chuck 'em in and see what happens, which is pretty much my general gardening philosophy. She who dares wins....

[Snoop]

Ooh, I don't know - just chuck 'em in and see what happens, which is pretty much my general gardening philosophy. She who dares wins....

That's a good approach to life.

[LotuSeed]

I tried them for the first time last year. They were sweet and had the consistency of a tomato.  I thought it was gross and didn't even finish eating it lol. The plants can be invasive so if you don't want volunteers popping up everywhere, try to remove uneaten/unused fruit from the ground. And I agree with what Headgardener said, wait until the fruit falls to harvest.