Cape Gooseberries (again)

[Georgie]

Hi.  I know there are a few of us trying these for the first time this year.  I had planned to grow mine in the mini greenhouse but they got too tall so now they will have to take their chance outside.  Got the first buds forming, so all we need now is lots of sunshine.   :)

G xx

[Georgie]

[Aussie Chick]

I have one big plant, and about 15 small ones. All are in the GH. The big one has two developing husks!! I can't wait. I feel it should go into a bigger pit as it dries out very fast, but i don't want to disturb it while in flower.

I use to grow it back home and got gooseberries off the plant for years, so take care of them, don't throw them out at the end of the season. 

AC

[Georgie]

Hi Aussie Chick.  I'd heard they are perenniels so thanks for confirming that.  Do you cut them back once they have fruited and if so, when and how hard?  And do they need to be over-wintered in a frost free place?

Sorry to bombard you with questions!

G xx

[Aussie Chick]

To be honest, we never use to do anything. They were definitely kept frost free as Winter at home (Brisbane) only goes down to about 10 degrees C at night in Winter. But no pruning. I'm going back to Brissie on the 18th July for a few weeks and my Nan has lots of plants ( enough to make Gooseberry jam, sooo delicious). I will ask her and forward on the info to you.

Until then lets hope we get a handfull of edibles!

AC

[Georgie]

Awww, thanks AC.   :)

G xx

[Aussie Chick]

Georgie, this site is quite useful.
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/cape-gooseberry.html
AC

[Anne Robertson]

I've tried to grow these for the last 3 years, only once did we have a decent enough summer to ripen the fruits :(.
Each year I have had to start new plants off as the winter has killed them despite covering.
I think this year I will put them in a pot in Autumn and store them inside so that at least I don't have to start from scratch next year again.
At the moment mine are only 2" high, yours look great.

[Georgie]

Thanks for that website, AC, very informative.

Hi ani and thanks.  According to the website, these plants are not hardy in our climate so I think bringing them indoors over winter is a good idea.  I'm concerned about the fruit ripening too - everything in my garden is about three weeks behind this year.   :(

G xx

[jennym]

I've grown Primula edulis (cape gooseberry) ifor 3 years now. If the plants are full of fruit at the end of the season, but they aren't ripe, you can dig them up, pot them and if you've got somewhere to keep them under cover the fruits will ripen.