Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)

There are plants that, to be able to enjoy them, you must put them yes or yes in the ground, but there are others such as Peruvian physalis that also grow perfect in pots. The most interesting thing about this species is that it serves both as ornamental and edible, so it is undoubtedly one of those that you cannot miss.

The care you need is not complicated; in fact, it will not be difficult for you to keep it in good health.

Origin and characteristics

It is a shrubby herbaceous plant known as aguaymanto, cape gooseberry, uvilla or ushun that belongs to the Solanaceae botanical family. It is originally from South America, especially from Peru, which is where the surname (Peruvian) comes from; However, today it is also cultivated in Africa, Asia, and in any area that enjoys a temperate and / or warm climate.

It reaches a height of up to 1 meter, with highly branched branches from which green leaves sprout. Its flowers are bell-shaped, yellow, and appear in spring. The fruit is a drupe of about 1,20 to 2cm in diameter, yellow-orange and with a sweet flavor.

What are their cares?

Would you like to have a copy of Peruvian physalis? Then we recommend that you provide the following care:

Location

It is a plant that it has to be outside, either in full sun or in semi-shade. It does not have invasive roots, so you can plant it near other plants, but if you are going to grow it in a pot it is preferable that you have it alone.

Earth

• the garden: naturally grows in soils with a pH between 5,6 and 6,9; which means that it lives well both in acids and in those that are slightly limestone. Anyway, you should know that if the one you have is “pure” limestone, that is, with a pH between 7 and 8, you will not have to worry too much since watering with a liter of water mixed with the -natural- lemon juice on a regular basis it will produce its fruits normally.
• Flower pot: from what has been said before, you can fill it with a growing medium for acidic plants (for sale here!), or universal substrate (for sale here!) mixed with 30% blond peat (on sale here!).

Irrigation

If in your area the annual rainfall is between 1000 and 2000, and relative humidity is between 70 and 80%, you will not have to water 🙂. Otherwise, it is important that you know that it requires frequent watering and high humidity. But beware, you don’t have to treat it as if it were an aquatic plant; in fact, if it were done that way, its roots would rot quickly.

For this reason, and to avoid problems, I recommend watering it about 3 or 4 times a week in summer, and about two weekly the rest of the year. Always use rainwater, without lime, or mixed with natural lemon juice or with a little – a tablespoon per 5l of water – of vinegar.

Subscriber

During all the warm months of the year it is advisable to pay with organic fertilizerssince these are not toxic neither for the plant nor for the humans (nor for anybody, really). Just keep in mind that if you use guano, or any bird manure (marine or terrestrial) it is very, very important to follow the instructions exactly, since it is so concentrated that there may be a risk of overdose.

Multiplication

Seeds

The Peruvian physalis multiplies by seeds in springfollowing this step by step:

1. The first thing you have to do is fill a seedling tray with substrate for acidic plants, and water it thoroughly.
2. Then, place a maximum of two seeds in each socket, and cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
3. Then water again, this time with a sprayer.
4. Finally, place the seedling tray inside another, wider tray that does not have holes (like this one they sell here! for example), and is abroad.

Keeping the substrate moist, the seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks.

Cuttings

If the weather is warm and frost-free, too can be multiplied by cuttings in spring. To do this, what is done is to cut a branch, impregnate the base with homemade rooting agents and finally plant it in a pot with vermiculite (for sale here!).

Keeping the substrate moist and placed outside, in semi-shade, it will emit its own roots in about 3 or 4 weeks.

Planting or transplanting time

The Peruvian physalis it is planted in the garden or moved to a larger pot in spring, when the risk of frost has passed.

Pruning

With scissors previously disinfected with alcohol, dry, diseased, weak or broken branches must be removed. It can also be used to cut the others, in order to get a more compact plant.

Rusticity

Resists cold and weak frosts of up to -2ºC provided they are short-lived.

What uses does it have?

Ornamental

It is a very decorative plant, especially when it has produced its fruits. It is perfect for growing in pots, in planters, in recycled buckets with holes in the base, … and of course in the orchard or garden.

Edible

The fruits can be eaten fresh, just picked from the plant, but they are also used to make jams, yogurts, sweets, ice creams, preserves and even liqueurs.

Medicinal

It is believed to help prevent or relieve symptoms of asthma, rheumatism, depression, menopause, injuries, diabetes, or sinusitis.

What did you think of Peruvian physalis?