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25 Apr 17, malcolm (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Cape gooseberries. My grandfather got some from north Queensland, way back when and grew them at Sandgate, Qld., so I grew up with them. I moved from Alderley to Brighton to Runcorn and the gooseberries followed. Here at Runcorn is the only place I have not planted them but they appeared from nowhere. Easy to grow from fruit. After 2 years, a ladybird type bug eats the leaves and the plant dies, but plenty of seedlings grow.Ps. my grandfather passed away in 1977 and I'm 62, so they've been around for quite awhile.

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10 May 17, Akmar (Australia - tropical climate)

Hi Malcolm. Do u care to prolong the lineage of your gooseberries? I've been actively looking for gooseberry seeds. A few days back i found one but it was a much smaller variety. U can whatsapp me on +60173080355.

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17 Apr 17, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)

I gave my father 3 Cape Gooseberry seedlings for his 90th birthday on 13th April. He lives and works on a farm in the Hunter Valley, NSW growing oranges commercially. In the Winter they get frosts and the summer it is very hot. When would be the best time to plant the seedlings and where? In the meantime does he keep them protected for the winter and where? How much water do they need? 50 years ago he had a Cape Gooseberry bush growing next to the house and it had fruit on it for many years. He can't remember how to look after it and neither can I as I was too young, but I do remember how nice they were to eat and mum made beautiful jam from them. Thank you for any advice.

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13 Apr 17, Rosemary (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Where can I buy cape gooseberry seeds. I have rung Yates and Diggers but no success. I live in s aus. Thank you

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15 Apr 17, Caroline Johnson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi Rosemary, I bought two cape gooseberries only a few months ago and planted them in my n. facing Adelaide Hills food garden. They have grown like crazy and are loaded with fruit...trouble is I just cannot remember where I got them...but I buy seedlings at Heynes Norwood, or Crafers garden centre sometimes and only once recently at Cleland nursery in Stirling. they are as tall and wider than staked tomatoe bushes with a fruit for every leaf!

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14 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Look online for The Seed Collection. Green Harvest and Eden Seeds. They all have it along with lots of other fascinating seeds.

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04 Apr 17, Arlene Davis (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

The leaves of my cape gooseberry plant has white spots and is turning brown. The pod has black - looks like fungal growth inside. Is there a home remedy for this and can the fruit be eaten?

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05 Apr 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Sounds very much like a fungal problem to me. Many organic gardeners use a 10% milk solution in water to control mildew. You could give this a try as a first resort. Using a copper based spray is also okay. To prevent fungal problems plants need good air circulation particularly in humid areas. If your plant is dense it may be a good idea to thin it out a bit, cape gooseberries are normally treated as an annual so save some seeds and plant them in the spring in a sunny, airy spot. Trust this helps.

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22 Mar 17, Peter Lake (Australia - temperate climate)

I have recently purchased and potted up a Cape Gooseberry. It was a bit straggly so I trimmed it back a bit. I have used a good quality potting mix and have kept the water up to the plant. Having done all this the plant is now wilting as if there is too much moisture in the pot. I have kept the pot out of the sun as it has been very hot in Melbourne and the plant was starting to frizzle a bit. Any ideas as to the wilting? I am thinking I might transplant into a garden bed. Do you think this is necessary or should I just leave it. Regards Peter Lake

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23 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

Cape gooseberries are normally treated as an annual. The cooler nights and mornings are probably contibuting to its sad appearance. It may still survive in a sheltered spot. Another alternative would be to buy some seed and germinaate them inside. Grow them on in individual pots ready for planting out in spring. That would get them established for a good season ahead.

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