Cape Gooseberry

[phill]

Hi people
I am thinking of growing Cape Goosberries for the first time. Some trains of thought say only grow in a greenhouse, others say its ok to put outside. Any suggestions as I only have a couple of seedlings and dont want to risk loosing them. Also, any suggestions as to the best compost etc for growing them in a pot??

All answers much appreciated.

Phil.

[Westi]

I grow them alongside the greenhouse - well actually fibbing there, they self seed & pop up now all by themselves when their weather is right. None actually ripened last year but previous years have done well & they don't seem to mind who their neighbours are - chillis, spuds, salad etc are in the bed with them - BUT our weather is about as tropical as the UK gets!
Post your location & other folk will advise more precisely!

Westi

[phill]

Thanks Westi. I live in Bucks. The garden is quite sheltered. Phil.

[PLUMPUDDING]

My cape gooseberry is in the cold greenhouse and keeps flowering and fruiting all year round. It hasn't any on at the moment as I cut it down to about 2 ft high as it was getting too large for the border. They self seed easily and I've occasionally had seedlings coming up in the garden from seeds in the compost, but they aren't frost hardy and are wiped out by the first frosts.

They ripen in the greenhouse better than outdoors when the weather isn't good - like last year.

[phill]

Many thanks Plumudding. Think its going in the greenhouse.