You may not be familiar with the name physalis, but if we say "cape gooseberry," "chinese lantern," or "alquequenje," you might know we're referring to a fruit-bearing plant that has become quite popular in recent years. In fact, the reason for this is the flavor and properties of its fruits. But how do you plant and care for physalis?
Although you might think it's easy, the truth is, it's not. You need to know a little more about the plant and discover what its needs are when growing it in a pot, when watering it, transplanting it, or if you put it in your garden. Shall we get started?
The first step for your physalis: choosing the variety
Like many other plants, physalis comes in several varieties, each of which will be better in a particular climate. The most common varieties in cultivation are Physalis peruviana and Alkekengi.. But, if you are going to put this plant in a pot, then, of the two, We recommend Physalis peruviana, because it is the one that adapts best and gives you good productivity.
When it comes to potting a physalis, if you bring it from a store or nursery, you know that the soil it comes with isn't the most recommended. In fact, we recommend leaving it for a couple of weeks to adapt to its new home and then repotting it (unless it's the height of summer or winter, in which case it should last until spring or fall). The soil for physalis should be very loose and rich in organic matter. Therefore, many recommend using a combination of:
- 50% universal soil for plants.
- 25% compost or worm castings.
- 25% sand, perlite, or similar. The goal is to make the soil looser and prevent it from compacting over time, which could suffocate the plant's roots.
Regarding the pot, we recommend that you choose one that is at least 30 cm deepThis plant requires a good pot, vertical rather than horizontal. And make sure it has drainage holes so water can drain away and not accumulate at the base.
Over time, you'll need to repot your plant when it's grown enough. When that happens, you should always choose a larger pot, but don't overdo it. If you place it in a pot that's too large, the plant could slow its growth or even stop growing completely. They become very stressed if the location isn't ideal.
We recommend that you do transplants at the end of winter or beginning of summer. Once done, it is best to wait 2-3 days to place the pot in a place where it receives direct sunlight for at least 6 hours.
Also, many recommend watering immediately after transplanting to help the plant adapt. This could compact the soil a bit, so be careful because if you pack it down too much, you'll create puddles of water that can rot the tree's roots.
Watering and basic care of physalis
Like many other plants, watering is one of the most delicate aspects of plant care. The physalis It is not a plant that requires a lot of watering, but you should not let it get thirsty either, Because that will harm their production. So, if you're in a warm climate, the watering schedule is usually 2-3 times a week. However, in winter, it's significantly reduced, depending on the humidity and cold.
You need to make sure the pot has good drainage, and that it's not clogged, for example, by soil. If so, simply inserting a stick or rod and wiggling it should be enough to get them working.
In addition to watering, physalis needs a little fertilization rich in phosphorus and potassium so that their fruit production is greater and that they come out of better quality.
As it grows, you'll notice it will need a stake to keep the stems from bending. Keep in mind that this plant can have fragile stems. Finally, don't forget to keep it clean, removing dead leaves and branches and ensuring sunlight shines throughout the tree.
Plagues and diseases
We're not going to tell you that it's delicate, but, although it's resistant to pests and diseases, it's true that there are some that can damage it. Among them are aphids, whiteflies or fungi (the latter due to excess humidity).
To solve this problem, you can use soapy water or neem oil to keep pests away. For fungi, try to water first thing in the morning, unless the air is very humid.
If you're lucky, your physalis will eventually produce fruit. These, with few exceptions, will appear between four and six months after planting and will require some time for the plant to mature.
En general, When the fruit is yellow or deep orange, and when the bud turns dry brown, it means you are ready to pick it. However, we don't recommend removing the bud. If possible, keep it in a cool place, or if you're not going to eat them quickly, put them in the refrigerator to make them last a little longer.
How to sow physalis seeds
In fact, you could extract seeds from the fruits themselves and plant new physalis (or do it directly). When planting them, first of all you have to prepare the seedsThis is done by leaving them in water overnight (or about 24 hours) so that they hydrate and germinate more easily.
Afterwards, they must be planted in a seedbed. After 10-20 days they will have germinated (If they haven't, they're no good.) When you see that they've reached about 10 centimeters in height and have at least a couple of leaves, it's time to put them in a pot.
The ideal temperature for physalis is usually between 20 and 25°C, so if it's much higher where you live, you may want to keep the plant where it receives indirect light and is protected from extreme heat.