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Originally from the South American Andes, physalis (also known as Andean berry or Cape gooseberry) loves warmth, does not tolerate frost, needs a lot of water and is otherwise quite undemanding. The herbaceous shrub tends to proliferate even in rather nutrient-poor soil and hardly needs any fertiliser.
What soil does the physalis need?
The Andean berry basically feels at home on almost any soil. Even loamy and slightly acidic garden soil does not or only slightly affect the immense growth of the plant. This means you can grow Physalis in almost any garden, provided it's warm and sunny enough. However, since the plant also has a high moisture requirement, you should cover the ground all around with bark mulch. This counteracts evaporation and keeps the moisture in the soil.
Too much fertilizer causes plants to overgrow
Although a Physalis needs a lot of water, at the same time it does not tolerate too generous fertilizers. If you fertilize too often, the plant puts far too much energy into growth at the expense of the fruit. In the case of planted specimens, it is basically sufficient to work compost or stable manure into the soil before planting. Don't forget to also use the root boundary (e.g. in the form of stones), otherwise you will have to use the scissors more often in the summer.
Caring for Physalis in the pot
Unlike the physalis in the garden, a potted plant needs occasional fertilizer. Rhododendron or tomato fertilizers are best suited for this, but you can also choose other vegetable fertilizers (7.49€). Take liquid fertilizer and add it to the irrigation water. Fertilize the plant about six to eight weeks after planting. Neither seedlings nor young plants need fertilizer, because they get their low nutrient requirements from the seed.
tips and tricks
A nutrient-poor growing substrate is best for growing physalis from seeds. Incidentally, you should not fertilize freshly repotted physalis either, as this only promotes vergüngen.
IJA