The listing, Ground Cherry ✽ AUNT MOLLY’S ✽ 15 Seeds ✽ Organic Heirloom has ended.
Ground Cherries, aka Cape Gooseberry or Husk Tomato are hardly seen in the U.S. except in Pennsylvania Dutch country and parts of the Midwest. The sprawling vine grows up to 2 feet high and spreads 3 to 4 feet wide. The fruits are ½- to ¾-inch in diameter and are encased in a loose, papery husk. When they are ripe, they resemble yellow Cherry Tomatoes. They are smaller and sweeter than Tomatillos and can be eaten raw, but even better when sweetened and cooked. Short plants produce good yields rather quickly. They are best when they drop from the plant. Very easy to grow and fun for kids. They will produce at the same time as tomatoes, all the way until a hard frost.
Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Physalis (fy-SAL-is)
Species: pubescens var. integrifolia
Cultivar: Aunt Molly's
This Auction: You will be receiving 15 seeds from my garden. They will be sent First Class mail. I am happy to say that my seeds tested 99-100% germination within 2 weeks at a temp of 65°F in the spring of 2012. Excellent for beginners!
Propagation Method: From seed, sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before last spring frost. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot and thin to one plant per container. After four weeks, transplant seedlings to larger pots, and about 10 days before the last spring frost, begin hardening the plants to the outdoors. Transplant your plants to a sunny, highly composted location when soil temperatures are at least 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.