Ground Cherry 'Aunt Molly's'

On Mar 9, 2017, Rad_Greenthumb from Philadelphia, MS wrote:

While clearing and cutting the overgrown back 1/2 acre of my "new" house's lot , I found this unrecognized (but interesting) plant growing wild in a depression, and carefully mowed around it so I could identify it later, which I did on the USDA site (a great place to figure out plant species you aren't familiar with). While I don't recall the exact scientific name on that site, I do remember that it is a "ground cherry", and looks like the photo here for Physalis pubescens (or Physalis pruinosa, as it is listed for sale on eB*y), except that the calyx on the plant I found remain closed, as seen in photos of other species pictured on this site. Not knowing exactly what the plant was, I didn't venture to taste it, but marked the spot and protected the plant from being run over so that I cou... read moreld study it further in the spring. Now that I've found this article on it--including the difference between P. pubescens and P. peruviana--I will study it further and will be sure to include it in the small botanical garden I am creating on the back half of my property, for which, by the way, everyone's plant notes on the Dave's Garden site is helping me immensely in the process of selecting plants. Thanks; I hope to return the favor in the future!

For reference, although the2012 USDA Hardiness Zone map indicates my area (East-Central MS) as being in Zone 8a, their "current" map is based on average temperatures from 1976 to 2005, but the current temperature trends from 2006 to 2017 would indicate a Zone 8b classification, and often close to 9a characteristics (9a being @ minimum 20 to 25 degrees F). If you are using older publications for reference as I sometimes do, keep in mind that the dividing lines between USDA Plant Hardiness Zones naturally change back and forth over decades of time.

On May 14, 2016, malsprower from Daytona, FL wrote:

I want this to become positive but every time I tried getting this to grow in Florida, it just gets devoured by red spider mites, and it cannot stand the hot sun. It wilts in the sun and just dies off randomly. All my other physalis grow excellent here. If anyone grows this in Florida with success, please let me know how you do it! Send me an email, I am dying to find something that tastes like these, they taste amazing, I only got 3 or 4 good fruits off these plants before they croaked.

On Mar 28, 2013, NicoleC from Madison, AL (Zone 7b) wrote:

Large, sturdy plant and one which is very productive. I did lose some limbs to weight; the plant will appreciate a little support -- farther out than you'd expect. Ripe fruit has a sweet flavor with a hint of pineapple. Since you really need to harvest newly fallen fruit daily, I had some difficultly getting on my knees and reaching under such a large plant. If I were to plant it again, I'd probably put it in a large pot and place a cloth or tarp underneath during fruiting season for easier collection.

On Mar 20, 2012, justgret from Shingletown, CA wrote:

It growes well in Redding, California. Now I will try at my home in Shingletown, CA

On Jul 7, 2007, TKinGuelph from Guelph,
Canada wrote:

Ground cherries add a very pleasant flavour to a compote, unlike anything else I have tasted. The flavour is mild, so it doesn't overpower others but can complement them. Compotes I have tried them in have been largely apple-based, sometimes with a few other fruits as minor ingredients (minor compared to the apple.)

I live in Guelph, Ontario, with a garden not as friendly to large tomatoes as I would like (less sun than they really like, I think.) I get tomatoes with good but not outstanding flavour, except for cherry tomatoes, which I have great results with. (Maybe the problem is more the gardener than the conditions...)

Aunt Molly's is the only cultivar I have tried. It is super easy to grow here and even self-seeds decently (good thing, since I missed... read more starting them this year.)

I like it as an ornamental, too, and plan on putting a few around the maple tree in my front yard next year.

On Aug 9, 2005, JerseyGardener1 from Deal, NJ wrote:

Physalis pruinosa fruits (flavor) may not appeal to everyone. The fruit is tasty though if left to ripen completely. Even slightly green or yellow/green fruits will have an off flavor. They are like quinces in this way. Let them ripen to a full golden yellow/orange. They have a somewhat sweet flavor. Texture (of skin) is exactly like a tomato and insides are somewhat like a tomato but devoid of the pulpy seed cavity. They are all meat..... however they are seeds dispersed throughout it and there are a TON of them. This may make the fruit unpleasent to eat to some. The flavor is pretty sweet as stated and tastes like a mixture of fruits, some pineapple, some strawberry and grape with a touch of tomato. It also has a slight flavor that is unpleasent..... some fruits have it more than other... read mores. Some have it so slight that they are still tasty some have it so much they taste sort of yucky. It is a hard to describe "note" a note of skunky?ness or dirtiness.... a guess a note of "skunkiness" would best describe it. Aunt molly's is supposed to be a better tasting variety. Letting them ripen fully helps reduce this "skunkiness" and some plants just wind up producing better tasting fruits than others (it is variable). Save seeds only from fruits you've enjoyed eating.

On Oct 4, 2003, JeffSeattle from Seattle, WA wrote:

I've read that ground cherry culture is basically the same as for tomatoes, but ground cherries seem much hardier. They wintered over here last year (several light frosts) without dropping their leaves, and some of the fruit even wintered over. They will set larger fruit with frequent watering and rich soil. They make GREAT jam, with a flavor like oranges and apricots.