Cape Gooseberry / Physalis peruviana: lifespan

[Seagull]

I just recently discovered cape gooseberries / Physalis peruviana and can't get enough of them! I was dissappointed though, that they have to be shipped all the way from South America, so I decided to grow them myself in pots on my balcony here in Freiburg. I've read a lot about them and everywhere says they are perennial if not in freezing conditions. I plan to bring them into a sunny spot in my apartment during the winter.

I was wondering though, exactly how long do they live? Two year, three years, four years...? Anyone out there with experience growing these know?

[flower]

sorry, can't help but like you I am growing for the first time this year.
From what I've been reading though (good old google) the bushes are huuuuge

[pskipper]

Same here, although the variety I have is said to be hardy down to -40'C! They've only just germinated after a month!

[flower]

does anyone know how they pollinate as well?

do you need more than one bush?
because if they are very big I may only have the room for one

[Seagull]

I've read on a couple of websites that they are self pollinating, but that shaking the flowers lightly helps distribute the pollen.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/cape-gooseberry.html

[chadspad]

I bought some seeds and Im sure it said they only lasted for a year. It was either them or Papaya but ive thrown the instructions away now

[Trying2BGreenMummy]

I'm growing them as well as my youngest and I adore them. I didn't have any instructions as the seeds were 'donated' to me so I just stuck them in my seed trays with everything else!!! I found, today, in my copy of the growers guide (alao a donation!) the guide for them and they require no special treatment or soil, can grow to 3ft, must be planted 2-3ft apart and need supports as growth is likened to tomatoes. After fruiting cut down to soil level and protect stumps during winter.
Doesn't say how long they will live for though.
My mum is growing them indoors and hers are huge compared to my outdoor reared seedlings. I just dont have enough windowsils and can only grow in the kitchen which is already full of herbs so they'll have to make do in colder conditions!!

[ohareward]

Cape gooseberry, also known as ground cherry, husk tomato or chinese lantern plant, is grown for its small, globe shaped, yellow or red fruits which are enclosed in papery husks. The fruit may be eaten fresh but is more often used to make jams or jellies. Cape gooseberry is a warm-season plant. In frost-free, warm and sub-tropical climates, the bushes are perennial and reach a height of 1 metre or more. In cool-temperate climates it is grown as an annual during summer. It needs a warm, sheltered position. In suitable areas it may be grown as an ornamental scrub.
Generally, the cultivation of cape gooseberry is very similar to that of capsicum. Sow seeds in punnets in spring when the weather is warm. Transplant seedlings to the garden when 8-10 cm tall, spacing them 100 cm in the row. For the average family two to three plants should be ample. Plants take five or six months before fruit is ready for picking. In warm, frost-free districts cut plants back hard after fruiting to induce new growth for next year's crop. Plants may bear well for three or four years.

Robin