Incarnata certainly can set fruit. It is usually considered self-incompatible, meaning it needs cross pollination to set fruit. For ripening, the fruit needs to drop off the vine on its own. It then needs to sit in a cool dry location until it wrinkles a bit, anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. It is then considered to be fully ripe.

~kiwinut

If you want new plants on this one keep the pulp with the seeds. Never dry them out and throw pulp and seed right into some soil and water when needed. These will do better at growing seedlings this way. If you trade these make sure you keep the pulp with it. Just thought I would set my two cents in here lol. It is the best thing I have learned now just wish I had a plant to try it with.
Toni

Toni, don't think I'll need any new plants...l0l The one I have is sending suckers out everywhere! And here I was thinking I couldn't grow them here..duh :)

How long does it take for the fruit to fall off the vine? Hopefully, not long...would hate to lose it to frost. I'm like a mother hen with this silly fruit. It's my first and I'm excited to have it.

P. incarnata grows wild here---and I DO mean 'wild', LOL! I always have LOTS of vines, and they ALWAYS make fruits. They re-seed themselves VERY readily, too, but they seem to need cold-stratification to germinate.

If you do get seeds that have dried out, just soak them for a few days in some OJ. The fermentation process helps them to break dormancy.

Give it a tug- if it comes off in your hand, it's ready.

I have my 1st incarnata fruit too and have the same worry that it will freeze. Does anyone know about how many weeks it takes to ripen?

Mine have varied from around 2 to 3 months to ripen, and that is with a lot of heat this year.