Content
Physalis is a popular plant from the nightshade family. It is unpretentious, grows and develops well in all regions of Russia, and rarely suffers from fungal diseases. Healthy fruits not only have a beautiful appearance, but also good taste. There are 3 varieties of physalis - vegetable, ornamental and berry. Growing and caring for strawberry physalis is not a difficult task; even a novice gardener can handle it.
The benefits and harms of strawberry physalis
The tribes of Central and South America were the first to learn about physalis 4000 years ago. Due to the large number of useful substances, physalis has been used to treat many diseases. Modern scientists have proven that by using fruits regularly, you can prevent the occurrence of many diseases. Useful properties of physalis:
- Due to the high content of K and Mg, it normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle. The likelihood of heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and aneurysm is reduced.
- The antioxidants contained in the berry prevent the appearance of a malignant tumor.
- The risk of joint disease is reduced. Physalis alleviates the condition during exacerbation of arthritis and arthrosis. Removes salts from the body.
- Blood sugar levels return to normal. Despite the fact that the berry is sweet, it can be consumed for various types of diabetes.
- Thanks to the high content of beta-carotene, vision improves. Physalis prevents the appearance of cataracts, glaucoma and stops macular degeneration and lens opacification.
- Strengthens the immune system. Due to the high content of vitamin C, the berry saves against vitamin deficiency, colds and viral diseases, and also quickly restores the body after surgery.
- Improves the functioning of internal organs. Reduces the risk of constipation, stomach cramps and flatulence. Fiber and pectin contained in the berry prevent the appearance of gastritis, ulcers and colitis.
- Slows down cell aging, eliminates wrinkles, age spots and improves skin structure.
- Accelerates the healing of wounds, burns and ulcers. The pulp from the pulp of physalis accelerates cell regeneration, and the alcohol infusion eliminates scars.
- Due to the high content of B vitamins, performance increases, fatigue decreases, vitality is restored, and the risk of migraines, muscle spasms and depression is reduced.
Despite the large number of beneficial properties, physalis also has contraindications. It is not recommended to be included in the diet of pregnant and lactating women and people with high stomach acidity.
Only the fruits of physalis can be consumed; all other parts of the plant are poisonous. Especially dangerous are lanterns that cover the fruit.
Growing and caring for strawberry physalis
Many Russian gardeners consider physalis an ornamental plant. But this opinion is erroneous, since physalis berry or strawberry is a tasty fruit crop that can be grown in all regions of Russia.
Landing dates
Strawberry physalis can be grown by seedlings and without seedlings. Sowing seeds outdoors is carried out from mid-April to the second half of May or in the fall, 2 weeks before the onset of frost.
To collect an early harvest, physalis is grown by seedlings. Seedling material for seedlings is sown in mid-April, since the plant is frost-resistant, it can be planted in open beds in mid-May.
Growing Physalis berry with seeds
The seedless method of growing strawberry physalis is possible only in southern cities with a warm climate. In such conditions, the plant will have time to ripen and produce a high yield of tasty and healthy fruits.
Strawberry physalis is an unpretentious crop. It bears fruit well in both clay and sandy soil. Since the berry crop has short daylight hours, the beds should be made in partial shade. If the area is small, the plant can be grown among fruit trees, between bushes or near a fence.
The selected area is dug up, weeds are removed and organic fertilizers are applied. Fresh manure is excluded, as it burns the roots and leads to the death of the plant.
Seeds are planted in open ground only after the soil reaches a temperature of +7 degrees. In the dug area, grooves are made at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Seeds are sown to a depth of 1.5 cm, maintaining an interval of 5–7 cm, covered with earth and covered with white non-woven material.
After the true leaves appear, the shelter is removed and the sprouts are thinned out, leaving a distance of 20–25 cm.
Growing strawberry physalis seedlings
The seedling method of growing strawberry physalis will allow you to get an early harvest. This method is suitable for growing in regions with short summers and unstable climates.
Growing physalis seedlings is not difficult:
- Before planting, the purchased seeds are immersed in a saline solution for several minutes. Those grains that float to the surface are discarded, those remaining at the bottom are washed and dried. To get strong, healthy seedlings, the seed must be disinfected. To do this, it is immersed for 6–8 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- After drying, the seeds for seedlings are sown from late March to mid-April.
- 0.5 liter cups are filled with nutritious soil. The soil is moistened and leveled.
- 2-3 grains are sown into each container to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Cover with film and put in a warm, not very bright room. The optimal temperature for germination is +23–25 degrees. To prevent condensation from accumulating on the walls of the mini-greenhouse, it is regularly ventilated.
- On the 7th day after emergence, the shelter is removed and the temperature is lowered to +20 degrees. The containers are placed in a well-lit place.For good growth, strawberry physalis requires 10 hours of daylight.
- Caring for seedlings is not difficult. Watering as the soil dries, nitrogen fertilizing on the 15th day after sprouts appear, removing excess, weakened specimens.
- 20 days before planting outdoors, the seedlings are hardened off. The containers are taken out into the open air at a temperature of +8–10 degrees for several hours, increasing the time spent outside daily. After 2–3 days, the plant can be left outdoors overnight.
Seedlings are planted in the last days of May, after they have grown to 10–12 cm. The interval between bushes is half a meter, between rows is 80 cm.
Rules of care
Grown strawberry physalis seedlings are planted in the evening in a moistened hole, up to the first true leaf. To prevent the young plant from getting sunburn, it is covered with white covering material for 7 days.
Strawberry physalis is a crop for lazy gardeners, since caring for it is simple and does not require additional effort and time. Care consists of watering, weeding, loosening and fertilizing.
The first irrigation is carried out a week after planting the seedlings, further irrigation is carried out as the soil dries.
Strawberry berries will not refuse fertilizing:
- 1.5 weeks after seed germination - nitrogenous fertilizers;
- during the flowering period - complex mineral fertilizers;
- twice during fruit formation with an interval of 25 days - phosphorus-potassium fertilizing.
Is it necessary to plant Physalis strawberry?
Physalis belongs to the nightshade family, but, unlike tomatoes, the plant does not need pinching.Since the crop is formed in the forks of the shoots.
Reproduction
Strawberry physalis is an annual crop, propagated by seeds. You can buy them or assemble them yourself. Large, healthy fruits are peeled, the pulp is softened and dried. The process will go much faster if you cut the berries in half and soak them in water for several hours. After the pulp has softened, it is sifted and the planting material is removed.
Seeds can also be obtained using another method. After the first frost, the bush is removed from the ground, hung in a warm room, with rags placed under it. As they ripen, the seeds will begin to fall out. The collected seeds are dried, placed in a rag or paper bag and stored in a dark, cool room.
The plant reproduces well by self-sowing. To do this, leave a plant with fruits in the garden and, as they ripen, the seeds are poured onto the ground. The seeds are frost-resistant and tolerate Siberian and Ural frosts well. But to be sure of germination, it is better to mulch the bed with straw or leaves.
Diseases and pests
Strawberry physalis has strong immunity to many diseases. If the disease does affect the plant, it is irrational to treat it. The bush is removed from the garden bed, burned, and the soil is treated with a copper-containing preparation.
How and when to collect physalis berry
The first harvest appears 100 days after seed germination. The yield is high: from 1 bush, with proper care, you can harvest up to 3 kg of berries. Fruiting is long lasting, lasting until the first frost.
The crop is harvested on a sunny, dry day. The degree of ripeness can be determined by the bright color of the fruit and the drying of the leaves of the fruit box. It is not advisable to delay the collection of fruits.Ripe berries may begin to crumble and become rotten. It is also necessary to arrive before the first frost, since such fruits cannot be stored for long periods of time.
What can be made from physalis berries
Strawberry physalis is a tasty, healthy berry that is widely used in cooking. The fruits are used to make jam, compotes, candied fruits and raisins.
Jam
In our country, physalis jam is an exotic delicacy. For cooking, large, juicy fruits without signs of rot are selected.
Ingredients:
- strawberry physalis – 0.3 kg;
- lemon juice – 2 tbsp. l.;
- granulated sugar – 400 g;
- water – 150 ml;
- cinnamon stick - 1 pc.
Step-by-step preparation:
Step 1. The berries are cleared of leaves and each one is pierced with a toothpick.
Step 2. The prepared physalis is transferred to a container and covered with sugar.
Step 3. Pour water and cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 4. After the sugar syrup has formed, increase the heat, add cinnamon and, with constant stirring, bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5. Reduce the heat to low, add lemon juice and cook for 2 hours.
Step 6. At the end of cooking, remove the cinnamon, and pour the jam hot into prepared jars. Bon appetit.
Candied fruit
A tasty, sweet treat that will replace potato chips for children.
Ingredients:
- physalis – 1 kg;
- granulated sugar – 1500 g;
- water – 250 ml.
Performance:
- Prepare the berries: peel, blanch and pierce with a fork.
- Add sugar to boiling water and cook until the sugar particles are completely dissolved.
- Add berries to sugar syrup and cook for several minutes.
- Remove from heat and leave to infuse for 8–10 hours.
- This operation is performed 5 times.
- Next, the physalis is thrown onto a sieve to drain all the syrup.
- Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven to dry at +40 degrees.
- The finished delicacy is placed in jars and stored in a dry place.
Raisin
Strawberry physalis, due to its taste and aroma, is suitable for making raisins.
Ingredients:
- berry – 1 kg.
Performance:
- Physalis is sorted and sorted by size.
- Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven for half an hour at a temperature of 60–70 degrees.
- Dried raisins are poured into a rag bag and stored in a dry place.
Compote
Strawberry physalis compote is a tasty, healthy and aromatic drink that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients:
- berry – 1 kg;
- water – 1 l;
- granulated sugar – 1 kg;
- citric acid – 15 g.
Execution:
- The berries are sorted, washed and dried.
- Add sugar and citric acid to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes.
- Hot syrup is poured over the berries and left to infuse for 4–5 hours.
- Then place the pan on the stove and cook after boiling for 5–10 minutes.
- The hot compote is poured into sterile containers and, after cooling completely, is stored.
Reviews of Physalis strawberry
Conclusion
Physalis is a beautiful and useful plant that has gained popularity among many gardeners. Growing and caring for strawberry physalis is not a difficult task; with a minimum of effort, you can collect a generous harvest of berries, from which you can make delicious preparations for the winter.
