Cape Gooseberry "Slivovy Dzhem"

Golden berry "Plum Jam" - Physalis pubescens.
An unusually decorative variety of physalis that retains its qualities for a long time after harvesting. The rich purple color of its fruits is hidden under the green upper shell. To enhance the color, place the fruits in sunlight. Harvesting is already 65 days after germination.
Growing conditions: sowing for seedlings 4-5 weeks before transplanting into open ground.
Seeds are lightly sprinkled with soil. Germinate on the 7-14th day at an optimal temperature of +15+21°C. Picking after 3 weeks. The recommended temperature for growth is +13°C. Planting in open ground when the threat of frost has passed. Grows better in the sun. 1 g contains 600 seeds.
Sowing seeds: April - May.
Planting seedlings: the second half of May - early June.
Harvesting: July - August.
Planting pattern: 30 x 25 cm.

* Physalis is an unusual plant, with many flowers and lanterns in which the fruits ripen.
Physalis is very similar to tomato in its agricultural technology. Seeds are planted for seedlings in March (it is possible in early April), they are picked into cups, like tomatoes, at the same time. Even if the plants are thin and frail, then after picking they gain strength quite quickly. In general, the "culinary" physalis is a grateful plant: if you accidentally break it, fill it with earth above the broken place - and you will not lose the plant. For germination, we take coconut substrate, and we pick it into a mixture of this substrate with peat and sand.
Plant seedlings in beds in 1 row at a distance of 70 cm.
Physalis is very responsive to fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers, it loves watering. It loves sunny places, well-fertilized soil. Since its fruits develop in so-called "lanterns", they can withstand lower temperatures than tomatoes. But if you plant the plant in a secluded place and cover it on cool nights, it will delight you with its splendor and beauty.
Physalis is very beautiful at the end of July, but if you want to try its fruits, then at the beginning of August you need to "destroy" all the beauty, that is, pick off all the flowers, and make sure that the plant does not produce new flowers.
Physalis fruits are located in the internodes, they do not ripen at the same time. The fruit can reach 4 cm in diameter, ripe fruits are yellow, can be purple. They can be eaten raw, but the taste is specific.
If you want to store physalis for some time, do not remove the covers.
Physalis fruits are well suited for processing: salting, marinating. They also make jam and candied fruits. For processing, the fruits must lie down and turn yellow after picking. Only then can they be removed from the bags and processed.
It is better to crush them or turn them into a homogeneous mass. For 1 kg of physalis mass, 1 kg of sugar, and then boil until the jam or jelly is ready - it's a matter of your taste.
Experiment and please yourself and your loved ones!

Eng.: Cape Gooseberry.