Physalis question

**veggiechicken** · 30-04-2017, 04:40 PM

I'm growing them too! http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lis_92888.html
When ripe, they fall off the plant and are orange. You can keep them and they get riper still.
Chinese lanterns are ornamental look alike's from the Physalis family. I don't know how edible they are.
Expert advice on growing the Chinese Lantern Plant

**4x4** · 30-04-2017, 05:22 PM

Aah, so Chinese lanterns are different to the yummy berries you buy in Tesco?

**veggiechicken** · 30-04-2017, 05:37 PM

Yes!! Very different

Best not eaten it seems............http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?...alis+alkekengi

**4x4** · 30-04-2017, 05:57 PM

That link says ripe fruit isn't poisonous so I'm a bit confused...Lol doesn't take much at my age.

**veggiechicken** · 30-04-2017, 06:03 PM

it also says that the fruit are bitter..............and another one says they're sweet. So you're not the only confused one around here!
Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Grow the ones that are known to be edible

**Guest** · 30-04-2017, 06:05 PM

I wouldn't risk it. There are plenty of cape gooseberry/ inca berry physalis (physalises

) about you can grow. Then if you want a savory version (not found in shops) you can try tomatillo. Would definitely leave the Chinese lanterns somewhere far away from the fruit and veg

I think you are a bit late for sowing though (not sure if you could get away with some of the dwarf versions) so have a look around for plants and do seed next year

**4x4** · 01-05-2017, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the help folks. I'll get some 100 percent sure edible ones. For the price I might try them even though I'm a bit late. If I get nothing this year then hopefully be fine next year.

**veggiechicken** · 01-05-2017, 12:22 PM

Go for it!
I sowed tomatillos and cape gooseberries on the same day and the tomatillos were must quickerr to germinate.

**Zelenina** · 01-05-2017, 01:07 PM

I think cape gooseberries are perennials, so if you're too late to get fruit this summer you can try keeping them for next year. They seem to tolerate quite cold temperatures, though probably not below 0 C. I sowed some rather late last year and never transplanted them out of their smallish pots. But they all overwintered really well in my glazed verandah and even produced a few fruits. Hopefully they'll produce many more once they're planted out.

**4x4** · 01-05-2017, 04:54 PM

Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.Lol

**MarkPelican** · 01-05-2017, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Zelenina View Post

I think cape gooseberries are perennials, so if you're too late to get fruit this summer you can try keeping them for next year. They seem to tolerate quite cold temperatures, though probably not below 0 C. I sowed some rather late last year and never transplanted them out of their smallish pots. But they all overwintered really well in my glazed verandah and even produced a few fruits. Hopefully they'll produce many more once they're plated out.

I keep my physalis in a cold greenhouse in a large pot over winter and they seem to do Ok for a couple of years after which they seem to need to be replaced. I move them outside just when I plant my tomatoes into their final position when I need the space in the greenhouse.

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