How to grow Ground Cherry?
- Latin Family: Solanaceae
- Latin Genus: Physalis
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Annual
The Ground Cherry is related to the Tomato and has fairly similar cultivation requirements.
In colder climates, Ground Cherry won't survive the winter and should be grown as an annual.
Ground Cherry History
Native to Central and South America.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 6.8
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.3 - 6.5
The ideal soil is a well-drained, moisture retentive loam, with lots of organic matter.
How to care for Ground Cherry?
Generally Ground Cherries are independent plants and don't need a lot of attention.
Water
Tomatillos and Ground Cherries are quite drought tolerant, but for best fruit production they should be watered regularly.
Fertilizer
Generally, Ground Cherries are independent plants and don't need a lot of attention. Give them a feed of compost tea or liquid kelp when the flowers first appear.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 4 - 7 years
Germination Percentage: 75.0
Ground Cherries are some of the easiest crops to save seed from. You can save seed from any Ground Cherry so long as it is open pollinated and not a hybrid.
To get the seed, simply squeeze the pulp from the ripe fruit and mix with water. Allow to settle, and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Drain out excess water and pulp and allow seeds to dry. Store in a cool, dry place.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Ground Cherries prefer full sun.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Store Ground Cherries like you do Tomatillos, on the counter for a couple of weeks.
Storage Req:
Storage Temp: 55-65°F
Storage Length: 0-14 days
You can water bath can ground cherries when making salsa or jam.
Storage Req: Canning
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Problems
Ground Cherry Types
- Ground Cherry
Similar to Tomatillo, the Ground Cherry is a tender plant in the Nightshade family that produces small fruit with a paper-like husk.
Pests
- Aphids
- Colorado Potato Beetle
- Cutworms
- Deer
- Flea Beetle
- Gophers
- Groundhog
- Leafhoppers
- Nematodes
- Slugs and snails
- Stink Bug
- Tomato Hornworm
Diseases
- Anthracnose
- Bacterial Spot
- Southern Bacterial Wilt
- Bacterial Canker
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus
- Fusarium Wilt
- Damping Off
- Early Blight
- Verticillium Wilt
Related Plants
Ground Cherry
Squash, Summer
Okra
Eggplant
Tomatillo
Squash, Winter
Gourds
Melon
Peppers
Pumpkin