ground cherry seed experiment

16 years ago

Hi all!

Two years ago, I attempted to srart these peksy little guys from seed--treating them like tomato seeds, as the package suggested. No luck there, at all--they did not even germinate. So, I ordered seedlings, and was very happy with the results.

Last year, I did the same thing--ended up ordering seedlings--and was again happy with the results.

But, this year, I got to thinking about it, and if I can start everything else from seed, why not these little buggers?

Remembering that they have a spotty/long germination time, I started the seeds when I started my peppers, but I did something different here--I had saved a few ripe fruit from last summer. I squeezed the seeds out of the shriveled fruit, and had 100% germination in less than a week!!!!

So, that's what I will be diong from now on--saving a few cherries from the summer crop, and getting the seeds out of there when I am ready to plant (without giving them a 2-3 week additional germination time).

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Comments (6)

l_james
16 years ago
I noticed that two year old seed won't germinate. So I use seed from the previous year also.
Perhaps there is a way to preserve them longer. I don't know.
I grow the "Aunt Mollies Favorite" and is is definatly worth having in the garden. I eat it fresh right off the ground every morning when I go out.
diggity_ma
16 years ago
Sometimes it's best to just let them take care of themselves. You've probably noticed that they will self-sow readily. Some years I don't even bother to start them from seed... I just wait for some of the inevitable volunteers to appear and then move them around to where I want them.

-Diggity

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Imperative
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armymomma
16 years ago
since you've already grown these, can you tell me if they are worth it, as far as having fruit goes? I started mine from seed a few weeks ago, and while initially they were growing slowly this week they just took off and are now 2 inches high.

I used freshly purchased seed if that matters and had pretty close to 100% germination.
diggity_ma
16 years ago
Well I don't think of them as fruit in the traditional sense (even though they technically are). The flavor is somewhere between a pineapple and a tomato if you can imagine that, with a hint of honey and lemon. They are somewhat of an acquired taste... a bit foreign on the palate the first time you try them, but once your tastebuds get accustomed to them, you'll probably start to really enjoy them. I do. My kids love them, and eat them like candy. They are probably best eaten fresh, or in salads or salsa. Definitely worth giving them a try!

-Diggity

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Imperative
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
16 years ago
They volunteer in my garden. When I tried to raise then in a block, they always were bothered badly by an insect making a hole in the fruit. When scattered around individually, they are not bothered.
sunnibel7 Md 7
16 years ago
I'm hoping to have better luck with any volunteers in my garden this year- last year's from seed just never amounted to much. The plants were too small and always cranky from the get-go. My tomatoes were started and treated the same way and did fine. However, the fruit were so good that I really want to try them again... and again... and again until I get it right! If all goes well, I will try saving seed from my best plant!

Cheers!

Sunni