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Re: ??husk tomato / tomatillo / ground cherry

> Can you be a little more specific? There are several different
> plants that are in the Physalis genus that get called *husk
> tomatoes*. First there are bladder cherries (physalis alkekengi) or
> chinese lantern (very invasive). Then the tomatillo (physalis
> ixocarpa[edulis]) also know as the mexican ground cherry. The one I
> grew last year was Golden berry or cape gooseberry (physalis
> peruviana). Very tasty, 12 plants will

Sorry, I can't be too much more specific than what I already
provided.  The seed packet did not give a botanical name.  I can
tell you that it's some sort of vegetable and not a flower (isn't
Chinese lantern used for drying and flower arrangements?), and I got
it from Territorial Seed Co.  It was listed in the same area of the
catalog where they listed all their tomato varieties, and that's why
I presumed it was probably a tomatillo, which is also, apparently,
known as a ground cherry according to the packet and the catalog.  I
had never heard the term "ground cherry" before.....you learn
something new every day!

Thanks to the folks who have already responded with some
information, and I am eagerly awaiting any other input that may be
volunteered. Some folks have said their plants stayed rather compact
and well-mannered, while others said theirs grew rampantly and they
gave up all hope of containment.  It will be interesting to see how
mine fares in my intensive garden!  Will I have to take a machete and
chop my way through a forest to reach the lettuces, or will it stay
in its own little space...ah, I wonder???   :)

Speaking of little spaces, I am struggling over the decisions needed
for *which* varieties of tomatoes and peppers I'm going to sow during
the next week.  Every year it is a tough battle with myself to
determine which gets to be planted and which ones have to wait for
later in the year.  I guess I'm fortunate in a way that we have such
a long growing season here, because we can plant a second group of
plants later in the summer to get a second full batch/crop.  By the
time we plant the second crop the first one has pretty much gone
kaput in the sizzling Texas sun.  At least I can try more varieties
in a year that way!

Joan
cmathew@airmail.net
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8098/
USDA gardening zone 7b (just north of Dallas, TX)
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