Forum:

plants

groundcherry plants

Posts: 45

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I started with a package of groundcherry seeds that I started inside in early March. I ended up with 9 seedlings and I slowly hardened them off, moving them outside. These seedlings have stayed fragile and short and now, about 8 or 9 weeks later, I am down to 3. Any tips on growing groundcherries? I live in northern Louisiana, zone 8.

Janet in Louisiana

Renate Howard

pollinator

Posts: 755

Location: zone 6b

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

When they grew in my yard (wild) they looked pretty fragile until around August. They were one of the last plants to show up. I think they really like the warmer weather. Mine always had a "mother plant" that they grew close to and kind of leaned on, until it got close to time for them to bear fruit. Then they seemed tougher.

janet jacobsen

Posts: 45

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

good to know, thanks. I'll just try to hang in there until it is constantly hot (right now it's 80 one day and 55 the next). Maybe I'll put the two in the ground next to each other and close to a tomato plant.

Janet in Louisiana

Ryan M Miller

pollinator

Posts: 430

Location: Dayton, Ohio

129

I like...

posted 5 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hello, Physalis pubescens ground cherries grow wild where I live (Southwest Ohio near Dayton). I cannot find out if they need any stratification or scarification before planting. The last frost where I live typically happens by the first week of May. Should I sow the seeds directly in the ground or at least give them a cold, dry stratification period? I wouldn't think it would be necessary to start them indoors if they regularly grow wild in ohio. Bonap.org has a map of their range recording them to grow east and west of where I live.

4986FA35-ED27-402E-8454-6AE009A0A4BB.png

Mandrake...takes on and holds the influence
of the devil more than other herbs because of its similarity
to a human. Whence, also, a person’s desires, whether good
or evil, are stirred up through it...
-Hildegard of Bingen, Physica

Dustin Rhodes

pollinator

Posts: 520

Location: San Diego, California

I like...

posted 5 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Going by this map, if they grow readily all the way in south Florida, then they don't need stratification.

As for scarification, I would do a test; 10 no scarification, 10 physical scarification, 10 chemical scarification, and see which germinate best(all other factors being equal, of course). then plant the rest of the seeds using the most effective method

Growing on my small acre in SW USA; Fruit/Nut trees w/ annuals, Chickens, lamb, pigs; rabbits and in-laws onto property soon.
Long term goal - chairmaker, luthier, and stay-at-home farm dad. Check out my music! https://www.youtube.com/@Dustyandtheroadrunners

Ryan M Miller

pollinator

Posts: 430

Location: Dayton, Ohio

129

I like...

posted 5 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

What kind of acid should I use for scarification? I have a 1 galon jug of distilled white vinegar (5% acidity). Will that work?

Dustin Rhodes

pollinator

Posts: 520

Location: San Diego, California

I like...

posted 5 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I would assume so, but haven't done it myself - you'll also want to research if you need to dilute it or for how long to soak them and if you need to rinse afterward.

And inside of my fortune cookie was this tiny ad:

100th Issue of Permaculture Magazine - now FREE for a while

https://permies.com/goodies/45/pmag