Ground cherry Aunt Molly

Physalis pruinosa. Vegetable plant with pretty yellow bell-shaped flowers that produces fruits coated with a protective envelope that must be removed before eating. To be enjoyed as is or in jam, and to be discovered in savory dishes. The fruit is golden-orange in color when ripe. Their taste is sweet and slightly acidic. Variety originating from Poland.

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 5 mm

optimal temperatures for germination: 21 to 29ºC

time for germination: 10 to 14 days

When to sow:

indoor sowing 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the seedlings if space is available or keep only the most beautiful ones. Transplant into individual containers and wait until the plant has produced two true leaves before transplanting into the garden.

Transplanting outdoors:

When all risk of frost has been eliminated.

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 60 cm

between rows: 90 to 120 cm

Height of plants: 60 to 120 cm

Soil: rich and well drained

Exposure: full sun

Harvest time (after transplanting to the garden): 65 to 70 days

Specificity: The ground cherry is an annual plant that reseeds itself, so it can be found the following year in the garden, but not always where it was planted the previous year.

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±50

Difficulty: Easy

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Annual

Additional information

Weight            0.25 g

Difficulty         

Easy

Sowing          

Indoor

Lifecycle        

Annual

Root cellar     

No

Sowing season        

Winter, Spring