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Physalis/Gooseberry dying and I need help!

apfelstroodel01-aRX37apfelstroodel01-aRX37 Posts: 3
in Plants
I planted the seeds last April and it has been an indoor plant for now because I live in an apartment. It hasn’t bloomed yet and also is growing a bit wonky, but has seemed very healthy until 4 days ago. For the past 4 days my physalis plant has lost around 8 leaves that will slowly become super thin and then fall off, it is also slowly becoming thinner. I repotted it 2 days ago but the yellowing has only gotten worse...have I overwatered it? 

Maybe related: It also has had white flies this entire time, but they didn’t seem to bother the plant itself. 

I have tried to get rid of them by sticking match heads into the soil last week and hanging up yellow fly paper. That seemed to work a bit and now the fly problem is a lot better but not completely gone. 

Any advice would be wonderful! I would be very sad to lose this plant. 



This is the thinning I was talking about:
and here’s the yellowing:

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Is that the physalis that has the orange "lanterns"? If it is, it's a herbaceous plant that dies back in winter and puts up new growth from below ground in spring. It's a very vigorous spreader too. I've never tried growing it indoors, but maybe keeping it indoors has stopped it from dying back normally. All I can suggest is don't water too much if it's not making new growth, and keep on top of the whitefly.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • apfelstroodel01-aRX37apfelstroodel01-aRX37 Posts: 3
    edited January 2021
    Yes it’s a physalis with orange lanterns :) ah okay so if it doesn’t get cold enough it won’t “die back” normally? I guess it’s too late to put it outside now....

    and thanks so much for your tips!
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Putting it outside overwinter would kill it because it isn’t frost hardy. Would have made no difference when you put it out. I tried to keep some alive in the poly tunnel by applying a really thick mulch after cutting them down, and they still died. They might have survived with protection in a milder winter. I agree that you should keep the watering to a minimum until it is actively growing again. You could harden it off and put it out for the summer after all risk of frost has passed. Do you know what variety it is? My plants grew to 7 feet tall in the poly tunnel and had to be contained within a cage of bamboo and string or they would have flopped all over the ground. Some varieties are about half that height I think. I used the fruit to make lovely cape gooseberry jam, can highly recommend it, it’s a light orange kind of flavour. I’m assuming that all varieties are edible, but maybe check first?!
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Just remembered that you said you’re in an apartment. So outside would be on a balcony? It wouldn’t stand much wind at all, because the stems are very soft and brittle as you’ve probably noticed.  

    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Sorry, it's the hardy ornamental kind with the bright orange lanterns that I have (this one https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/12872/physalis-alkekengi/details) , which is why I asked. I couldn't tell from the photo. The RHS site says the edible kind https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/87740/Physalis-peruviana-(F)/Details  is H2 so won't take freezing in winter, but probably doesn't want to be in a heated house, just somewhere frost-free.



    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • apfelstroodel01-aRX37apfelstroodel01-aRX37 Posts: 3
    edited January 2021
    Ah thanks guys! I think it’s the edible kind but I can’t find the seed packaging anymore so I am not 100% sure. I do think I’ve overwatered it though :/

    Quick question, do I need cage to hold it up? Is that why the bigger stems are bent down like that? 
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