[Beetroot queen]

I picked up one of these today from the GC and the lady said "oh thats one of those plants that does the nice fruit you get on posh puds" her words not mine.

So I came home thinging great its a cape gooseberry, but I then found a packet of seeds and the picture looks nothing like my plant

So are they the same, do they spread as the lady seemed to think they did. They look similiar to bamboo canes very strange plant.

And if it is a cape gooseberry what do I need to keep it healthy and active, it was an impulse buy I actually went for an apple tree

[DavidT]

Physalis IS Cape Gooseberry. In this country it`s treated as a half hardy annual. It is grown the same way as a Tomatoes, but it will take up much more space than Toms.

[sunshineband]

A few years back I grew physalis in nthe greenhouse in the border soil. They ended up as a sort of thicket about four to five feet tall. Absolutely masses of fruit, which kept for ages. We had jam, fondant dipped ones (open up the papery shell first  ) chocolate dipped, had them in curries, gave them away by the bagful................... and have never grown them again as they are so prolific I ran out of ideas what to do with them all.

[Beetroot queen]

Being thick now

Half hardy annual does that mean its better in the poly tunnel, is it a one year plant. I know I am being blonde but I am only learning

[DavidT]

You are not being thick at all BQ, An annual is a plant which flowers and fruits in the first year, a half hardy annual does the same but needs warmth and protection at the early part of the season. They also prefer to be grown under glass ( greenhouse ) or polythene (polytunnel ).

[Beetroot queen]

You are not being thick at all BQ, An annual is a plant which flowers and fruits in the first year, a half hardy annual does the same but needs warmth and protection at the early part of the season. They also prefer to be grown under glass ( greenhouse ) or polythene (polytunnel ).

They were outside at the GC which confused me, I will find space in the poly, thank you for the help. One day I wont ask such basic questions  :blink:

[DavidT]

BQ, if you dont ask the basics, you will never be a gardener. Keep talking.

[SnooziSuzi]

I am growing these in the gh border this year.  Mine are very soft and have a downy fur all over them.  No signs of them growing into thickets of growth though! 

I'm hoping they grow some more soon as I can't wait to try my own.  I want to be able to put some on the Christmas puds this year just to show off that I grew them!  :happy:

[Beetroot queen]

I am growing these in the gh border this year.  Mine are very soft and have a downy fur all over them.  No signs of them growing into thickets of growth though! 

I'm hoping they grow some more soon as I can't wait to try my own.  I want to be able to put some on the Christmas puds this year just to show off that I grew them!  :happy:

Thats why I am having a go, how posh 

[Kate and her Ducks]

I grew some from seed this year and it is huge already, about 4' tall so far and still seems to be growing. Mine is outside and doing well. It's got loads of fruit on it but nothing ripe yet.

[sunshineband]

So I've missed my chance to be posh then  with that bumper crop