Physalis peruviana - Goldenberry

I grew these in my greenhouse two summers ago and they turned out to be a feast for the chipmunk. I was watching the little paper packets forming and thinking what a good crop I had. I got a few..but the chipper got the rest! nightshade family, right?

A pretty flower to what do these taste like?

Lori,

This plants has grown so well through winter. I'm so glad it's flowering now. I want to know how the fruit taste. It's one of those super food plants. It is in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae).

The only issue is that it grows really large here in San Diego. I guess I'll have to keep trimming it. The lady who sold it to me had ones more than 12' (4 m) tall.

I had heard that they would grow huge given the right culture. They taste quite different, 3d, kind of like a cross between a tomato and a berry... Mine were not sweet. I have seen the name "tomatillo" attached to them... we call the "tomatillo" (which makes great salsa) Mexican tomatoes.

Lori,

Thank you so much for the information! According to the lady who sold me this plant; she said it's very sweet and juicy. I've read that the larger plant variety (one which grows more than 5' or 1.5 m tall) is the sweet variety. I will find out soon. I'm reading conflicting reports how long the fruit take to ripen. Here in San Diego it will most likely be fast, may a couple of months. I'll find out. :>))

thanks D1! Perhaps my short cold growing season inhibits the ripening/sweetening process.

You're welcome. :>))

It's a possibility that your season there may be inhibit sweetening of the fruit. I think my plant will be developing ripe fruit most likely within 5 weeks from flowering. It see the fruit getting bigger, already and it's only been 10 days. I can't believe how large the lanterns have gotten. I'll post pics soon.

I'll be watching for it! Thanks Andy.

Lori,

The calyxes look about the size of the one in the advertisement to the right on this page. They've grown very fast since the flowers.