50 Husk or Ground Cherry seeds, Physalis pruinosa, USDA Organic
(72 days) Open-pollinated.
Though native to Central America, this heirloom was widely grown in Poland. Commonly known as a ground cherry, dwarf cape gooseberry, and strawberry tomato, this plant produces a small, yellow, edible berry surrounded by a papery husk. Ground cherries typically produce hundreds of fruit on each plant.
Sweet and zesty flavor. Some folks compare the flavor of these ½–¾" fruits to pineapple, some to tangerines. A treat inside every paper wrapper!
Same genus as Chinese Lantern and tomatillo, fruits ripen inside their protective husks. As clusters of berries sweeten, they turn from green to golden yellow, drop off the decorative branching plants, and reach perfection as their husks thin to a near-gossamer papery texture. The sweet berries have an indescribable flavor, great for raw snacks. Don’t eat them green––they can be a powerful emetic.
Culture: Need filtered light and temperatures at least 75°, preferably closer to 90°, to germinate. Cover seeds with just a light sprinkling of soil and place the flats in the hottest part of the greenhouse, transplanting after last spring frost. Husk cherries tolerate a touch of frost but give up when temperatures dip below 30°F. In a good year, about half will ripen in time. Will readily self sow, although volunteers never mature as quickly as those started indoors.
1,300-1,400 seeds/g. USDA Organic. fed