DESCRIPTION
Soft-wooded, low-lying bush.
It has round, marble-sized, orange fruit.
Fruit are encased in a papery casing.
Velvety, heart-shaped leaves.
Flowers are yellow with dark purple spots.
It has round, marble-sized, orange fruit.
Fruit are encased in a papery casing.
Velvety, heart-shaped leaves.
Flowers are yellow with dark purple spots.
Grows 60-100 centimetres.
PLANTING
PLANTING
High humidity required for germination.
Can be grown from cutting.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Grow in subtropical to mild-temperate climate.
Prefers well-drained, sandy to gravelly loam.
Likes a sunny position.
Becomes dormant during drought.
Not frost tolerant.
GROWING HINTS
Protect from strong winds.
Pinch prune during growing phase.
Mulch with manure annually.
Remove dead wood in spring.
Foliar spraying of 1% potassium chloride solution
before and after blooming may improve fruit quality.
HARVEST
70-80 days to mature.
Fruit will keep for up to 45 days.
USES
Fruit can be stewed, preserved in jams, or dried.
Use in pies, sauces, puddings or chutneys.
Leaf decoction taken as a diuretic and anti asthmatic.
Heated leaves applied as poultices on inflammations.
Leaf infusion as an enema to relieve abdominal ailments in children.
NUTRITION
Do not eat any other part of the plant other than the ripe berry.
The plant is believed to have caused illness and death in cattle.
Can be grown from cutting.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Grow in subtropical to mild-temperate climate.
Prefers well-drained, sandy to gravelly loam.
Likes a sunny position.
Becomes dormant during drought.
Not frost tolerant.
GROWING HINTS
Protect from strong winds.
Pinch prune during growing phase.
Mulch with manure annually.
Remove dead wood in spring.
Foliar spraying of 1% potassium chloride solution
before and after blooming may improve fruit quality.
HARVEST
70-80 days to mature.
Fruit will keep for up to 45 days.
USES
Fruit can be stewed, preserved in jams, or dried.
Use in pies, sauces, puddings or chutneys.
Leaf decoction taken as a diuretic and anti asthmatic.
Heated leaves applied as poultices on inflammations.
Leaf infusion as an enema to relieve abdominal ailments in children.
NUTRITION
Do not eat any other part of the plant other than the ripe berry.
The plant is believed to have caused illness and death in cattle.
Food Value Per 100 grams of Gooseberry (husked)* | |
Moisture | 78.9 g |
Protein | 0.054 g |
Fat | 0.16 g |
Fibre | 4.9 g |
Ash | 1.01 g |
Calcium | 8.0 mg |
Phosphorus | 55.3 mg |
Iron | 1.23 mg |
Carotene | 1.613 mg |
Thiamine | 0.101 mg |
Riboflavin | 0.032 mg |
Niacin | 1.73 mg |
Ascorbic Acid | 43.0 mg |
*According to analyses of husked fruits made in Ecuador.
The ripe fruits are considered a good source of Vitamin P and are rich in pectin.
Vitamin P:
* Helps our bodies absorb vitamin C.
* Prevents blood clotting in the body.
* Prevents capillary bleeding.
* Prevents bleeding gums.
* Boosts immune system.
* Anti-inflammatory agent.
* Natural and gentle diuretic
COMPANIONS
The ripe fruits are considered a good source of Vitamin P and are rich in pectin.
Vitamin P:
* Helps our bodies absorb vitamin C.
* Prevents blood clotting in the body.
* Prevents capillary bleeding.
* Prevents bleeding gums.
* Boosts immune system.
* Anti-inflammatory agent.
* Natural and gentle diuretic
COMPANIONS
Cape Gooseberrys are related to tomatoes, so may be planted with similar companions.
PESTS
PESTS
Woodlice. Striped cucumber beetle.
Pick off beetles and larvae when seen.
Pick off beetles and larvae when seen.
