Golden Berry Little Lanterns - Cape Gooseberry

Fruit

• Crops in : Harvest August to frosts

Description

A more compact Cape Gooseberry, Golden Berry Little Lanterns is suitable for containers on the patio, or for growing the greenhouse. Produces abundant 'Chinese Lanterns' with delicious small orange fruits.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds February to March on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator at a constant temperature of around 18-21C (65-70F) until germination, which takes up to 3 weeks.

Growing Instructions

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on steadily at minimum 15C (60F). Plant in final situation when plants are about 20cm (8in) high, in 30cm (12in) pots or 2 plants per growbag. Can also be planted outdoors once all frost risk has passed. Treat as you would tomatoes and feed regularly with high potash tomato feed once flowers are setting. Stake plants if necessary.

Aftercare

Chinese Lanterns' husks turn brittle and a pale brown and the fruits within the husks are a golden orange. Store in their husks in a warm place indoors.

Kitchen Notes

Ideal eaten raw in fruit salads or cooked in pies, flans and tarts.