Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

VeggieVirgin · « **on:** March 24, 2011, 12:17 »

I sowed cape gooseberry seeds on 4 March, and have been keeping them moist on the kitchen windowsill but there's no signs of life yet.

Should they take that long to germinate?

Puenktchen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2011, 12:21 »

I have done the same, only last year. The seeds never germinated and I dont know why. So I am of no help but it would be interesting to hear from someone who succeeded in germinating the seeds.

Nicki85 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2011, 13:17 »

Hi,

I grew them last year. Germinated fine in a very warm heated propogator. I'm not sure which type you have but mine produced really small fruit (but loads of it) and they were just a hassle and a mess! But saying that my nan loved the plant I gave her as she could pick at the fruits... I think she has more patience than me lol.

As I said I didn't find germination a problem but they were very spindly seedlings and looked like they would be keen to dampen off. How deep did you sow? Mine did not have any covering...

Once they get established they are very easy to look after. Mine dried out and wilted on a regular basis and still produced masses of tiny fruits!

Lardman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2011, 16:15 »

I've done them for the last couple of years.

Mine germinated in about a week, If you've not got anything yet Id be tempted to sow again. I sow individually into modules of damp compost and then cover with cling film. You shouldn't need to water the compost again if you keep it covered.

VeggieVirgin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2011, 16:40 »

The seeds were Unwins, the variety Little Lanterns. I sowed them in a quarter-size seed tray (there were only about 10 seeds in the packet, and they were tiny) and covered them with a sprinkling of compost. Until today, I've kept them on the kitchen windowsill. I've kept the surface of the compost damp. I put them in the greenhouse today, to see if an injection of warmth will spur them into activity.

viettaclark · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2011, 18:06 »

I've just ordered a pack of 2 types from T&M (reduced AND free postage til Saturday 12 o'clock) mainly because big kids love them and hassled me. Didn't realise you could grow them here.
Both types are fairly compact so no support necessary and they'll grow in a sunny sheltered part of the patio after starting off inside. Fruit from July to November and conflicting info on hardiness but should survive if protected and mulched?
Bit disappointed that the fruit will be so small but, hey, got to give it a go.....
That's another bunch of pots to find.....

Nige2Plots · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2011, 18:42 »

I sowed mine in unheated propogators in the 1st week of March next to the French doors which face South. As last year we have had a very succesful Germination rate.
The seedlings are now about an Inch in height and are ready to be planted on into 3 inch pots and then back into the propogators.
The seeds are Suttons.

Babstreefern · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2011, 19:21 »

I grew them last year as well

. Started them off in seed-trays in the good old conservatory, and they came up a treat

. I then moved them to the greenhouse and had some nice fruit off them

. I tried a couple of the bushes outside in a sheltered area, and though they grew, the fruit didn't ripen

viettaclark · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2011, 23:23 »

I haven't got a greenhouse!

Could I do what I did with chillies and toms and ripen on the window sill?

kari · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:55 »

mine were sown on the 13th March and they are just starting to come up, they were sown in modules of multi purpose and kept in a warm place with nothing over them, going to move them onto the windowsill today

Lardman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2011, 09:16 »

Quote from: viettaclark on March 24, 2011, 23:23

I haven't got a greenhouse! Could I do what I did with chillies and toms and ripen on the window sill?

Sunny / sheltered patio ? You'll be ok(ish) if we actually get a summer this year. They're a bit too big and messy to keep inside.

viettaclark · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:43 »

Brill...give it a go then...

slow_worm · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2011, 15:33 »

Yes - huge crops - but the snails and slugs love them too!

stompy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2011, 15:34 »

Im going to grow the pinaple tasting ones this year.

viettaclark · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2011, 23:52 »

Has anyone tried to overwinter them?
I understand they die right back but with a deep mulch and kept out of frost they should go through?

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Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

VeggieVirgin

Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Puenktchen

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Nicki85

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Lardman

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

VeggieVirgin

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

viettaclark

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Nige2Plots

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Babstreefern

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

viettaclark

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

kari

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

Lardman

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

viettaclark

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

slow_worm

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

stompy

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

viettaclark

Re: Anybody grown cape gooseberries from seed?

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