The Andean berries, mostly known by their generic name physalis, are real vitamin bombs. The shrubs, which can grow up to a meter high and contain small, cherry-sized fruits, belong to the nightshade family and are related to tomatoes. The cultivation of the Andean berry is almost the same - only the pinching is not necessary.

Grow Physalis from the seeds yourself

Physalis are usually grown from seed, with the late-ripening plants being planted on the windowsill as early as February or March at the latest. To do this, fill a little substrate (commercially available potting soil is sufficient, physalis is not particularly demanding) in small pots or seed trays and make a small, only a few millimeters deep depression in the middle with a finger. Drop a few grains into it and cover them loosely with just a little bit of soil. Cover the pots with cling film or place them in a small indoor greenhouse. They should always be kept moist with a spray bottle (do not water with a watering can!). The location should be bright and warm.

Repot young plants

The young plants that grow from the seeds need a larger pot as soon as they have about two to three leaves. A pot with a diameter of approx. 10 to 12 centimeters should be sufficient. Fill the plant pot with fresh substrate (potting soil again) and prick out the young plants carefully. Press them down lightly and spray them with water again. From a height of approx. 10 centimetres, you can fertilize them every two weeks with a liquid complete fertilizer, rhododendron fertilizer is best. Adult plants, like tomatoes, need support (such as a stake).

Pot or field?

Physalis is quite sensitive to frost, which is why you should only put the young plants outside after the ice saints. It is advisable to keep it in a bucket, because this way the plant remains transportable and you can also move it to the winter quarters quickly and undamaged in autumn. Container plants should always be fertilized, while Physalis planted in the garden usually does not require additional gifts.

Grow physalis from cuttings

It is little known that physalis can also be grown from cuttings. To do this, take fresh, young shoots from old plants either in autumn or in spring. These should be about 10 centimeters long and grow from the leaf axils. The shoots are put up to a third in fresh substrate and always kept moist.

tips and tricks

You can easily get the (rather expensive) seeds from a purchased fruit: cut open the physalis and remove the flesh with a knife. Now you can let it dry like butter on a piece of kitchen paper and then you only have to collect the seeds. Alternatively, the fine granules can also be removed individually using a toothpick.

IJA

Category:

Vegetable garden