podpeople, I had a similar problem with offspring of a Capsicum plant. The problem was diagnosed as a seed-borne fungus. I destroyed all.

i'm growing them for the 1st time this year. haven't had ground cherries since i was young. if i like this particular variety i will hopefully sow it in a spot that it will self sow itself and i won't have to plant it again. wildlifeman

I thought ground cherries and cape gooseberries were the same thing. I'm very curious because I have ground cherries. -Anne

I have grown Cape Gooseberries (Physalis peruviana) for the first time this year. I treated them like tomatoes ie started the seed indoors and then planted out the young plants when no more frost was likely. The soil is clayey with liberal homemade compost and some manure. They get reasonable light but certainly not sun all day. They appear unaffected by any pests or diseases in my climate and have grown into 2.5 - 3 foot tall bushes. I have them about 2 feet apart. They do not sprawl particularly although I have given most of them a few twiggy prunings to relax against if necessary. They are flowering well and have many fruits forming. The gamble is whether they will ripen before the weather becomes too cool, gloomy and damp. Verdict - in my climate it is easy to grow the plants but the fruit crop is touch and go. I am curious as to whether it will overwinter for me as it is a perennial. I rather doubt it.