Geltower is a wonderfully sweet ground cherry, with a pineapple-citrus taste
Geltower is a larger plant than our other favourite ground cherry (Drott’s. which is only about 1 ft tall) and the berries themselves are a little bigger. Both varieties have an excellent sweet taste. Geltower is a very productive variety and you will have lots of golden-yellow fruits from mid-season on.
This variety was brought to our attention by the seed savers at Farmacie Isolde; it was brought to their attention by the permaculture pioneer Siegfried Tatschl.
Ground cherry plants conveniently wrap up each fruit in its own ‘paper bag’ to protect it from the elements. Wait for the husks to turn papery yellow-brown and fall to the ground for peak maturity and sweetness. You can also give the plant a gentle shake to release the husks. Unwrap and eat the fruit inside.
How to Plant: Start indoors 8 weeks before the date of last frost. Press the very small seeds into the soil and barely cover. Place the pots under bright light/under grow lights and keep the soil moist and warm. Physalis species can take 1-3 weeks to germinate. Once seedlings emerge, keep under grow lights. Transplant outside when nighttime temperatures are consistently 10C or warmer.
