Physalis

The genus Physalis contains approximately 100 species of resistant annuals and perennials, usually grown as annuals. Few of them are cultivated in decorative gardening for their fruits-decorative edible berries. Physalis alkekengi is a perennial low-branched species with a height of 60 cm, with ovate leaves and white, rather small and poorly decorative flowers of summer flowering. In their place, red edible "fruits" are formed with a swollen colored cup in the form of a Chinese lantern, inside which a fruit - berry is enclosed. Physalis franchetii (P. franchetii) is a perennial species cultivated as an annualist. The stem is up to 70 cm high, straight branched; the leaves are regular petiolate oval pointed; the flowers are axillary drooping, up to 3 cm in diameter; the calyx is swollen and covers the fruit itself - a yellowish rounded edible berry, like a yellow or red lantern. Ripen in September. Other edible species are taller. Physalis ixocarpa (P. ixocarpa), up to 1 m tall, annual with yellow flowers 2 cm in diameter, with fruits in a yellowish shell with purple veins. Pubescens physalis (P. pubescens), an annual species up to 90 cm tall, with erect pubescent branched peduncles and flowers with yellow petals and brown-purple spots inside the flower.

The genus Physalis contains approximately 100 species of resistant annuals and perennials, usually grown as annuals. Few of them are cultivated in decorative gardening for their fruits-decorative edible berries.

Physalis alkekengi is a perennial low-branched species with a height of 60 cm, with ovate leaves and white, rather small and poorly decorative flowers of summer flowering. In their place, red edible "fruits" are formed with a swollen colored cup in the form of a Chinese lantern, inside which a fruit - berry is enclosed.

Physalis franchetii (P. franchetii) is a perennial species cultivated as an annualist. The stem is up to 70 cm high, straight branched; the leaves are regular petiolate oval pointed; the flowers are axillary drooping, up to 3 cm in diameter; the calyx is swollen and covers the fruit itself - a yellowish rounded edible berry, like a yellow or red lantern. Ripen in September.

Other edible species are taller. Physalis ixocarpa (P. ixocarpa), up to 1 m tall, annual with yellow flowers 2 cm in diameter, with fruits in a yellowish shell with purple veins.

Pubescens physalis (P. pubescens), an annual species up to 90 cm tall, with erect pubescent branched peduncles and flowers with yellow petals and brown-purple spots inside the flower.

Cultivation

Physalis is used for planting in mixborders, but is mainly grown for bouquets with exotic "lanterns". Planted in the ground usually in April, organic fertilizers (3-5 kg/m2) and sand are pre-added to the soil, which makes it more loose, drained. The distance between plants should be from 40 cm (for short ones) to 60 cm (for tall ones). In spring, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20 g per bucket.

Physalis is used for planting in mixborders, but is mainly grown for bouquets with exotic "lanterns". Planted in the ground usually in April, organic fertilizers (3-5 kg/m2) and sand are pre-added to the soil, which makes it more loose, drained. The distance between plants should be from 40 cm (for short ones) to 60 cm (for tall ones). In spring, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20 g per bucket.

Location

The ideal location is an open sunny area, but partial shade is also suitable.

Temperature

These plants can easily tolerate elevated air temperatures.

Watering

Watering is recommended often, not allowing the soil to dry out, first of all-in hot dry periods.

Care

Remove yellowed leaves and damaged parts.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds, dividing bushes and cuttings. Seeds are sown at the end of winter in containers that are kept indoors, and then the seedlings are dived or immediately planted in a permanent place in the ground.

Diseases

Plants of the genus Physalis are affected by bacteriosis and fungal infections (for example, Verticillium), which cause their wilting and death. This can be avoided if you plant physalis in a suitable medium-loamy soil, in which water will not stagnate. Remove the affected plants to avoid spreading the infection. Various insect larvae eat leaves and flower stalks. If there are few plants, you can try to remove the pests manually, otherwise they are treated with appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

Ready-to-plant seedlings are purchased in the spring in horticultural centers. Choose strong, compact plants. Seeds are bought in specialized stores. Check the expiration date on the package.

Interesting to know Physalis fruits are harvested when they turn orange-red and the calyx is completely dry. Along with making confections from them, they are used mainly in baked confectionery products, in small chocolates, which in Italy are called "kickinger".

Interesting to know

Physalis fruits are harvested when they turn orange-red and the calyx is completely dry. Along with making confections from them, they are used mainly in baked confectionery products, in small chocolates, which in Italy are called "kickinger".