Physalis decorative planting and care. Physalis - a pleasant flower and berry: cultivation and care

Physalis (Physalis, Solanaceae family) is a wonderful plant that will not only decorate any country cottage area, but it will also give you delicious fruits that can be eaten fresh or made into jam. And, of course, everyone knows how charming bright orange physalis boxes look in bouquets of dried flowers. In the people, physalis is called an emerald berry or earthen cranberry.

Physalis is native to Central and South America. The genus Physalis includes about 110 species, most of them are perennial. herbaceous plants, which in our country are grown as annuals, because physalis is very thermophilic and does not tolerate frost. The fruit of the physalis is a berry that is in a box of fused sepals, this box is very similar to a Chinese paper lantern. The box grows faster than the fruit, if it is completely dry and has changed color, then the fruit is already ripe.

Most often, in the areas of Russian gardeners, you can find common physalis (Physalis alkekengi), its rhizomes hibernate under snow in temperate climates, and new shoots grow from them in spring. The fruits of this physalis are bitter, and sometimes poisonous, as toxic substances accumulate in them.

Another thing is vegetable physalis, or sticky-fruited physalis (Physalis ixocarpa), - the owner of tasty and juicy fruits. In food, you can also use pubescent physalis (Physalis pubescens), Florida physalis (Physalis floridana) and Peruvian physalis (Physalis peruviana), the latter is grown only in protected ground conditions. Vegetable physalis is small-fruited (cultivars ‘Strawberry’, ‘Raisin’, ‘Bell’) and large-fruited (’Pineapple’, ‘Marmalade’). The fruits of the first are very tasty fresh, they are also suitable for processing, while large-fruited physalis produces excellent jam, pickles and not too sweet candied fruits.

Physalis is grown by sowing seeds for seedlings at the end of March - the first half of April. Seeds are sprinkled with a layer of earth about 0.8 - 1 cm, the substrate can be used universal. When the first pair of true leaves appears, the seedlings dive into pots with a volume of about 0.5 - 1 l, while they are buried in the soil to the cotyledons. Around the same time, depending on weather conditions, the seedlings should be hardened off. For this, the plants are taken out to the glazed, and then outdoor balcony, starting from 20 minutes and gradually increasing the time spent in the fresh air. Twice the seedlings must be fed with organic fertilizer (for example, sodium humate).

When the threat of night frosts has passed (second half of May), seedlings can be planted in open ground. It is better to choose a well-lit place for physalis. In the garden, the distance between plants should be 30 - 40 cm, and the row spacing should be 60 cm, since the bushes grow strongly. Before planting, it is advisable to add a complete mineral fertilizer to the hole in accordance with the instructions; you can use organic fertilizer of your own production (mullein or bird droppings) for feeding.

Water physalis regularly, without overdrying the soil. If the earth dries up, then later, after abundant watering, the fruits on the plants may crack. Physalis requires support, as its bushes reach a considerable height. If, after the formation of ovaries, the plant stops watering, then it stops growing, the fruits ripen faster. Physalis brings its first fruits already in early August, and bears fruit when good care maybe until frost.

Orange, yellow, green and purple berries are not only very beautiful, they make fragrant jam or jam. Especially if you add cherries or gooseberries to it. Fresh fruits can be stored for several months at a temperature of +1 to 15 ° C and with good ventilation. Planting physalis in your area, you definitely will not regret it.

Decorative physalis with its bright boxes of orange-red tones is very reminiscent of Chinese lanterns and immediately creates a sense of celebration. For this reason, he has enough fans. But those who did not take physalis also have their own arguments - the fruits of the plant are poisonous.

Description and characteristics of physalis

The name "physalis" (physalis) is of Greek origin, translated means "bubble". Its homeland is South and Central America. Then the plant was brought to North America, and from there further, up to Europe. The French called physalis "flower for pregnant women." If a man was ready to become a father, he gave his companion a bright bouquet of physalis "lanterns".

The plant belongs to the Solanaceae genus and includes about 120 species. Physalis decorative - perennial. He is unpretentious, able to endure low temperatures, and growing it is not difficult. It can propagate by self-seeding, so it is enough to plant it on the site once.

Physalis decorative serves to decorate the site

There are myths and legends about the decorative physalis. Here is one of them. Long ago, a huge dragon swallowed the sun. The world has gone dark. Without light and heat, all living beings began to die. Then one brave young man decided to fight the monster and defeat him at all costs. Going on the road, the hero took with him a small lantern that illuminated his path. The young man found the dragon and challenged him to fight. There was a hard battle, the dragon was killed, and the sun was freed. And in the first moments, when the life-giving light again spilled over the earth, it was so bright that the hero covered his eyes with his palm, and the lantern fell to the ground. But it did not break into fragments, but into many bright red lanterns hanging from the stems. This is how physalis appeared in the world.

Types of decorative physalis

For decorative purposes, the species of Physalis ordinary, which has received the name "Chinese lanterns", is most often used, which has two varieties:

• Physalis Franchet - perennial, named after the French biologist Adrien René Franchet, who first described this species. It grows up to 90 cm in height, has a creeping rhizome and smooth, erect stems. The diameter of the "flashlight" - up to 7 cm;
• physalis Alkekengi is also a perennial with pubescent, often semi-recumbent stems. Fruit cups of this species are small - from 2 to 4 cm, with "lanterns" of yellow, orange or red.

Both plants are used not only as a flower bed decoration, but also as natural dyes. For decorative use, Physalis Franchet is of greater value.

There is another variety of decorative physalis - this is physalis Longifolia. The height of the plant can reach two meters. This is the only species that is valued for its unusual flowers. They have interesting feature: open at noon and close after 4 hours. The "lanterns" of this physalis have a nutty hue and pronounced ribs.

Gallery: types of decorative physalis

The diameter of the “flashlight” of Physalis Franchet reaches 7 cm “Lanterns” of Physalis Alkekenga can be yellow, orange or red Physalis Longifolia is interesting for its unusual flowers that open at noon and close after 4 hours

Decorative physalis in floristry and interior design

Ornamental physalis is not grown for flowers, because they are small and nondescript. This plant attracts attention in the fall, when the fruit boxes grow and turn orange or bright red.

Most often it is used in winter bouquets, supplementing with other dried flowers: gomphrena, lunaria, helichrysum, statice, craspedia, etc. Decorative physalis is also good for creating various compositions, floral paintings, wreaths.

Photo gallery: ideas for using decorative physalis

Hanging basket with physalis will decorate the terrace
You can decorate a chandelier with “lanterns” of physalis. A composition of physalis looks better on a light background. Openwork “lanterns” of physalis create a festive atmosphere
Decorative physalis will decorate an ordinary fruit vase Physalis is most often used for arranging bouquets
Decorative physalis wreath looks good on doors Decorative physalis can be combined with berries and dried flowers Decorative physalis in many countries is one of the traditional attributes of Christmas

Growing features

Physalis likes to grow in a sunny place. It is able to withstand partial shade, but in this case there will be fewer flowers - which means there will be fewer flashlights. Plant it with seeds or seedlings. In this article we will consider sowing seeds in the ground.

The soil for physalis is neutral or calcareous, but acidic soil is detrimental to it, the pH level should not exceed 4.5. During digging, it is good to add organic matter to the soil, but not fresh manure, but compost, humus or rotted manure in the amount of 1 bucket per square meter.

The composition of the soil may be as follows:

• peat - 2 parts,
• compost / humus / rotted manure -1 part,
• garden soil - 1 part,
• sand - 1/2 part.

Seed preparation

1. Before sowing, the seeds must be kept for half an hour in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
2. Then they are washed in running water and laid out on gauze or a paper towel to dry.

For disinfection, physalis seeds should be held in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate

It can be sown in open ground at an air temperature of +20 ° C and soil +5 ° C, approximately in late May or early June. You can plant a decorative physalis in the fall: in late September or early October.

Sowing seeds in open ground

It is better to sow physalis with hatched seeds. For this:

Physalis care in the open field

Physalis decorative does not require increased attention to itself, but if you take care of it properly, the plant will definitely become a wonderful decoration of the site. Care includes the following:

Wintering and transplant

For the winter, the decorative physalis remains in the soil. The above-ground part of it is completely cut off. The plant does not need special shelter, but it is better to mulch the soil with humus or peat, you can also use fallen leaves.

Since decorative physalis is quite aggressive and quickly spreads throughout the site, it is better to dig it out every 5–7 years and transfer it to a new place.

My personal experience growing ornamental physalis is confirmed by the fact that it is unpretentious and does not require much attention. It responds well to organic fertilizing, easily propagated by dividing the bush, loves a sunny area and loose soil. To limit the "spread", it is better to plant it in a limited space (for example, at least in the same barrel without a bottom).

Video: how to avoid the spread of physalis in the area

Is decorative physalis poisonous

It remains to resolve the issue of the toxicity of ornamental physalis. The berries of this type of physalis contain the substance fisalin, which gives the fruit a bitter taste. The fruit cannot be eaten. One berry, of course, will not cause poisoning, but if you eat more of them, vomiting may occur, especially in children.

Physalis Physalis - herbaceous plants reaching a height of 3 meters. In appearance, it is very similar to the tomato plant, which is not surprising, since it belongs to the same family, but usually grows with a more stable and stiff stem. Physalis is subdivided into an annual weed plant, and cultivated - perennial.

In any case, for ripening, varieties need a lot of sun and really warm and even high temperature values. Most species are sensitive to negative temperatures, but there is a variety, for example, Chinese lantern, it is also called “winter cherry”, which tolerates severe frost during winter “hibernation”.

In nature, physalis is found in a sunny region, where frost is rare, loves a place protected from strong winds. Physalis prefers well-drained soil, sandy and loamy soils are best for it. Good seedlings can be obtained even on poor sandy soil. Physalis (physalis) has a ribbed, usually purple, expanding branch, covered with fine hairs.

The leaves grow in opposite directions, heart-shaped, velvety, randomly serrated, pointed. Flowers are bell-shaped, flower-shaped in leaf axils. Physalis blooms orange-yellow along with a dark purple-brown throat spot and is covered with a purple-green hairy calyx. Flowering continues from June to August.

Gardeners are well aware of the charming plant, most of us also remember it visually, however, not everyone will be able to unambiguously formulate the answer to what Physalis is. Either a berry, or a fruit, or even a vegetable! We offer to understand the intricacies of culture. The cultivated form of physalis is a perennial plant. Solanaceae family. Closely related to the tomato.

Since it is a member of the nightshade group (lat. Solanaceae), physalis is associated with a huge number of edible plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, as well as other members of the group. The little round Physalis is actually a huge stock nutrients, useful for health, containing a great variety of useful microelements and vitamins.

Physalis (Physalis - sometimes called cape gooseberry gooseberry) is a plant native to South America. Physalis is found in the high tropical regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile, it is there that you can find wild fruits. Later, the plant began to be cultivated and grown in Central and South America, India, tropical Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia and Europe. In Russia, it is successfully grown in the Caucasus.

There is an opinion that, just like the beloved berry (from the point of view of botany), the Physalis tomato, it came to our region from South America. This is not known for certain, so let's take it on faith. The cultivation of the plant in modern gardens and the intake of physalis berries for food does not take much time. Nevertheless, in Russian villages of the old way, the possibility of eating berries has been known since ancient times. Physalis was grown not only for the purpose of eating, since ancient times healers have successfully used medicinal properties. Physalis has been used to treat conditions such as abscesses, coughs, fevers, and sore throats.

At first glance, the physalis fruit is easy to confuse with a small cherry tomato. The fruit ripens with the acquisition of a yellow or orange color, in a ripe state it reaches a bright red. Each fruit is located in a “bell”, a kind of sheath-shell, which is formed from fused sepals. In a word, it looks like a fabulous Chinese lantern. The name of the plant genus came to us from Greece: φυσαλίς which means bubble in Greek.

So what is physalis? Biology unequivocally states that a berry. AT recipes, The Cook Uses Fruit Vegetable. Housewives in the preparations of jam and preserves clearly indicate its fruity origin. We are inclined to believe that depending on the type of plant and the level of sugar content, the fruit acquires the taste of a fruit, a berry, or a vegetable.

Decorative physalis flower

Most of us are familiar with the emerald berry or the earthy cranberry (as physalis is often called by the people) as a plant with exclusively decorative functions. Gardeners are happy to plant on their country plots. The original plant fell in love with the bright inflorescences of bluebells and is able to decorate any front garden with its appearance. The plant blooms in mid-May with the advent of stable warm weather. In late August, early September, fruits ripen inside the boxes.

A bewitching view opens up when magic, Chinese lanterns look out through the green branches of the physalis, entirely strewn with hearts from the leaves. There is a complete feeling that the lanterns are man-made. Decorative physalis is not used for food, since, firstly, it belongs to poisonous plants, and secondly, it has a pronounced taste of bitterness. In a word, an ornamental variety is not an edible product.

food

How to find out what food physalis is in front of you? Very simply, decorative fruits acquire a rich, brightly poisonous color as they ripen. It is almost impossible to eat such a bitter fruit without suspecting something was wrong. There are many varieties of physalis that are eaten, but in Russia they most often grow a vegetable type of a sticky fruit (like a Mexican tomato) with a sour taste.

The second popular type is berry physalis strawberry, sometimes it is called raisin or pubescent, it is this variety that, due to its sweetness, goes to the table in the form of jam. Third grade from Peru. Note that the spicy flavor expressively distinguishes the Peruvian physalis from its fellows in the shop, but the likelihood of meeting Peruvian seeds in domestic stores is extremely small.

The nutritional value of physalis

To get to know the plant better, to find out what kind of "fruit" physalis, we will be helped by knowledge of useful trace elements in the composition of the fruit. Fruits contain the whole complex of useful elements recommended for a balanced diet. Modern methods analysis made it possible to establish the content of berries. The composition includes:

• a group of vitamins A and B;
• ascorbic acid;
• minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc).

Apart from their taste, Physalis is a good source of nutrients, minerals, vitamins. Consuming 140 g of these fruits provides the body with: 3.92 mg of vitamin B3, 1.4 mg of iron, 15.4 mg of vitamin C, 0.154 mg of vitamin B1, 15.68 g of carbohydrates, 56 mg of phosphorus, 50 mcg of vitamin A, 2.66 g Protein and 0.056 mg vitamin B2, 0.98 g total fat and 13 mg calcium.

Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of a trace element in physalis - lycopene, it is included in the group of carotenoids. Firstly, this natural pigment helps the berries ripen and become bright red or Orange color. But its most important quality is its amazing antioxidant characteristics.

The trace element effectively fights the formation of free radicals. The properties of lycopene are used in medicine to prevent the occurrence of a malignant tumor. For patients prone to cardiovascular diseases, taking lycopene can significantly reduce the risk of their occurrence.

Physalis has numerous beneficial characteristics

Of course, like many things in our world, physalis fruits have useful and not very properties. Let's take a look at some useful features. The fruits are widely used as an antiseptic, usually the berries are taken raw.

Fruits have an analgesic effect and block inflammatory processes. medicinal features fruits allow you to prescribe their intake for urinary and choleretic effect. Physalis fruits contribute to the removal of small stones from the kidneys and gallbladder.

Physalis Health Benefits of Physalis

1. Antioxidant benefits

(Physalis) is widely used to fight hepatitis, malaria, rheumatism, cancer, dermatitis and asthma. The extract has been studied hot water and an extract obtained from various concentrations of ethanol from the whole plant. Scientists evaluated physalis for antioxidant activity. The study concludes: Physalis ethanol extract corresponds to the highest antioxidant characteristics.

2. Protecting the liver and kidneys from fibrosis

Physalis root has been studied for its hepato-renal protective effect against fibrosis. Chemical composition the root of the plant suggested the presence of alkaloids, canolides and flavonoids. The results of the study conclude that Physalis was able to protect the liver and kidneys from fibrosis.

3. Healthy pregnancy

Iron can be found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and dry fruits have good iron content, which is essential for pregnant women. A pregnant woman should consume about 27 mg of iron daily. The iron found in Physalis can provide a woman with iron support throughout the day. Regular consumption of Physalis satisfies the daily need for iron and has an overall protective effect on the body.

4. Relieve Arthritis Pain

Because niacin plays a role in increasing blood flow to certain parts, it can also help relieve arthritis pain by increasing blood flow to painful areas. It helps improve joint flexibility and reduce pain. Consume niacin-rich foods for this effect, but do not take higher doses of the vitamin unless your doctor prescribes a different treatment. Physalis is the best source of vitamin B3 (niacin). Thus, the habit of including physalis in your regular diet will certainly help you get rid of the pain of arthritis. One cup serving of Physalis (140 g) contains 24.50% of the daily required intake of vitamin B3.

5. Mental abilities

There are various antioxidant effects of Physalis, some of which are derived from the vast amounts of vitamin C, and they also help eliminate plaque buildup in cognitive pathways often caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Taking Physalis has been directly linked to avoiding certain cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Physalis contains 15.4 mg of vitamin C, which is 17.11% of the recommended daily allowance. Physalis also enhances cognitive performance in young adults by increasing memory, focus and concentration skills.

6. Cardiovascular functions

Physalis is rich in vitamin B1 (Thiamin). It is involved in the formation of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that relays messages to muscles and nerves. Vitamin B1 deficiency leads to a decrease in the neurotransmitter and causes an irregular heartbeat. Severe deficiency can cause heart failure.

7. Improves vision

Good vision is the key to our happy life. Better eyesight is possible if we consume foods rich in vitamin A such as physalis or carrots on a regular basis. Vitamin A deficiency contributes to the development of poor vision in dim light (night blindness). Since physalis is rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving vision and preventing the troubles associated with night blindness that develops with age.

ethnoscience

In all countries where the plant grows, traditional medicine uses beneficial features physalis in the treatment of various diseases. The main thing to note is the increased concentration of useful microelements in the fruits. Regular consumption of berries helps to boost immunity. In turn, a strengthened immune system launches defense mechanisms against the occurrence of a large number diseases.

• In folk medicine, physalis is shown as an antipyretic, antitumor, antipyretic, antimycobacterial, immunomodulatory, diuretic, anti-inflammatory drug.
• Physalis is used in the prevention of diseases: dermatitis, malaria, rheumatism, asthma, leukemia and hepatitis.
• Physalis refers to medicinal plants and is used by the Muthuvan tribes living in the Shola forest areas for jaundice in the state of Kerala, India.
• A decoction of the leaves is taken as a diuretic and anti-asthma in Colombia.
• Heated physalis leaves are commonly used as a poultice for inflammation in South Africa.
• To relieve abdominal disorders in children, the Zulu administers an infusion of the leaves as an enema.

Disease prevention with physalis

It has long been noticed that the daily intake of 10 berries significantly increases the body's resistance. respiratory diseases during the autumn-winter period. You can put your immune system in order by introducing two tablespoons of freshly squeezed physalis into your diet. ethnoscience notes physalis as an excellent antiseptic with analgesic effect.

Nutritionists recommend including physalis in the diet diet food. The calorie content of fruits does not exceed 55 kcal per 100 grams. Berries contain so many vitamins that they are rightly called “folk multivitamins”. The recommendation for use applies to people suffering from diabetes, improvement is observed in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers. A group of patients with hypertension, hepatitis and cholecystitis noted an improvement in well-being after taking physalis.

Berries have a positive effect on the body of women. Persons prone to diseases of the genitourinary organs (cystitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis) are shown taking physalis for prophylactic purposes. Using the anti-inflammatory features of the berry substance, it is possible to achieve some improvements.

When is physical therapy contraindicated?

As is often the case, in addition to remarkable characteristics, Physalis trace elements contain a number of contraindications. Unfortunately there are people with individual intolerance. In such people, as a result of taking berries, an allergic reaction is observed. A rash may appear on the human body, annoying itching may occur. We recommend that you start taking physalis berries gradually, with symptoms of allergic reactions, take an antihistamine and seek medical help.

It must be understood that the intake of unfamiliar products may be accompanied by an acute form of allergy and, as a result, edema may appear that makes breathing difficult. Complex forms of allergy angioedema, always be careful before using new exotic

Physalis: growing, planting

Independently plant and grow a crop of physalis on the site country house won't be much of a burden. Specialized stores offer to buy varieties with hardy and unpretentious characteristics. Compliance with the elementary agronomic stages of planting and care guarantee that already in August you will feast on and treat your loved ones with the first fruits of the harvest.

Physalis seed material consists of small seeds, they are planted like flowers in early March. To obtain seedlings, seeds are planted in special cassettes, as soon as the first shoots hatch and you see the formation of three leaves on the stem, the plant dives by planting in peat pots saturated with humus mulch.

It is necessary to provide the flower with maximum space for effective growth. Selective selection of stunted plants will save you from disappointment. To obtain a good result, only healthy and viable stems should be left. The optimal temperature regime for growing physalis seedlings is from +17 to +24 degrees, accompanied by abundant watering, once every four days.

Upon reaching the seedling age of 40-50 days, and this is already somewhere in the middle of May, it can be planted in open ground. Take precautions if the weather is cold, cover the plantings with plastic wrap and limit the watering of the plant.

plant care

Plant nutrition is carried out throughout the entire period active growth, usually these are fertilizer complexes used for top dressing vegetable crops. As you grow, you should monitor the beginning of the formation of the ovary, at this moment the top of the plant must be pinched. Unlike tomatoes, physalis does not need to be pinched. The fruits are plucked from the bush as they ripen. Ripe berries become yellow, orange, sometimes green-yellow. It is better to let the fruits fully ripen on the bush without picking them in advance, then you will get the most delicious berries!

How to cook physalis, recipe secrets

Physalis tastes like a regular tomato. Most often, the fruit is eaten raw, included in salads, cooked sauces that go well with fish and meat dishes. Physalis berries are used to make jams and jams. The fruits are salted and preserved for the winter. In a word, the recipe knows no boundaries and chefs are not shy about their fantasies. On our resource, we will mention only a small fraction of countless recipes for cooking dishes using physalis berries.

Apple sauce with physalis for pork meat

The following ingredients will help us get a spicy sauce:

• two hundred gram glass of physalis;
• a couple of medium-sized apples;
• a spoonful of freshly squeezed lemon juice;
• half a glass of apple juice;
• 20 grams (half a teaspoon) coriander and curry;
• half a tablespoon of honey;
• salt and black pepper to taste.

We cut the apples into small cubes, fry in a heated frying pan, adding butter and physalis. We interfere and wait for the products to become golden color. Next add to the pan. Apple juice, cover with a lid and continue to extinguish, reducing the flame to a minimum. When ready, send to a blender and grind until a mass with a uniform consistency is obtained. We return the resulting mass to the pan and add honey. Simmer further for 6-7 minutes, season with spices. The sauce is ready! Turn off, cool, serve with chop meat!

Sweet tooth jam and preserves

To make physalis jam, you need to take:

• 1000 grams of sweet physalis berries;
• 1200 grams of granulated sugar.

Pre-select healthy berries, wash and dry. The trick is that not whole berries are sent to the jam pan, but cooked ones. To do this, it is necessary to pierce each berry with a sharp object, for example, an ordinary toothpick.

Pour the berries with sugar, which must be diluted in proportions of 0.5 liters of water and 0.5 kg of sugar. It is not worth digesting the syrup for a long time, just 5-6 minutes is enough. Pour the pierced berries sugar syrup and leave to cool overnight. The next day, put the pan on low heat, add the remaining sugar, stir and cook until a viscous syrup is formed. The jam is ready! It remains to decompose into jars and enjoy the taste on long winter evenings.

How to eat physalis

• Fruit Salads: Fruits can be consumed in fruit smoothies, fruit salads, cooked meals, or even preserved in syrup or processed into jams;
• The fruits are ideal for appetizers, puddings, cakes, sauces, jams, jellies, ice creams, preserves, icing for meats and seafood.;
• Dessert: fruit stewed with honey and eaten as a dessert in Colombia;
• Fruits can be dried and get delicious "raisins";
• Fruit is attractive when dipped in chocolate, caramel or rolled in sugar.

Autumn comes, most of the delicate flowers wither. But there is a plant that is ready to delight with picturesque colors on rainy gloomy days - decorative physalis. Its unusual, red-orange cups of fruits, similar to paper lanterns, delight everyone without exception. But where did this interesting plant come from? And how to grow it on your site? Let's try to solve the riddles of the "orange lantern"!

The history of the use of decorative physalis

The homeland of ornamental physalis is considered to be Central America, from where it came to Europe and Asia. It became especially popular in Japan, where in our time it is known as Hozuki (Hōzuki). During the Bon festival, the Japanese use physalis seeds to perform the ritual. And he is also the main character at a celebration in the Asakusa district in Tokyo's Senshoji Temple. Buying a Hozuki between July 9 and 10 at the temple market for the Japanese means living happily for a whole year.

During the Bon festival, the Japanese use physalis seeds to perform the ritual.

There are myths and legends about the decorative physalis. Here is one of them.

Long ago, a huge dragon swallowed the sun. The world has gone dark. Without light and heat, all living beings began to die. Then one brave young man decided to fight the monster and defeat him at all costs. Going on the road, the hero took with him a small lantern that illuminated his path. The young man found the dragon and challenged him to fight. A hard battle ensued, and the dragon was slain and the sun freed. And in the first moments, when the life-giving light again spilled over the earth, it was so bright that the hero covered his eyes with his palm, and the lantern fell to the ground. But it did not break into fragments, but into many bright red lanterns hanging from the stems. This is how physalis appeared in the world.

Unusual plant revives autumn garden, adding juicy and bright colors. Looks good in floral groups and compositions. It is often used in dry winter bouquets.

Physalis is able to inspire the creation of amazing compositions

If the bush with “lanterns” is left for the winter, then by spring the pulp of the cup will collapse and only an elegant bizarre net of numerous intertwining veins will remain, inside which a red berry “burns”.

If you leave a bush with "flashlights" for the winter, then by spring the cup will look like an elegant net of numerous thin veins

It's easy to do it yourself beautiful crafts from physalis, which will fill your home with memories of summer and colors of autumn.

Video: do-it-yourself wreath of physalis, mountain ash and maple leaves

plant description

The genus Physalis belongs to the same group as tomatoes - the Solanaceae family and includes about 120 species. hallmark of the whole genus is that the fruits-berries are surrounded by a cup, similar to an inflated vial. The pointed, ciliated and petiolate leaves are oblong-ovate in shape. Single flowers contain five stamens, bordered by a five-lobed corolla.

The fruit of physalis is surrounded by a cup, similar to an inflated vial

Translated from Greek, φυσαλίδες (physalis) means "bubbles". In France, it was called a flower for pregnant women. When a man gave physalis to a woman, it symbolized his readiness to become a father.

In decoration, design and needlework, the common Physalis species is used. In Russia, he received the nickname "Chinese Lantern". It is his bright orange cups that delight the eye with rich colors. The species is represented by two varieties.

Physalis ordinary pleases the eye with bright, rich colors

Physalis Franche is a perennial plant 60–70 cm high. The stems are smooth, erect. Medium sized leaves with short petioles. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, white. "Lanterns" reach a diameter of 7 cm.

Physalis Franche is distinguished by large "lanterns" with a diameter of up to 7 cm

Physalis Alkekenge is also a perennial plant. Its stems are pubescent and semi-recumbent. The leaves are large, small white flowers. Bright cups of fruits are small - from 2 to 4 cm.

Physalis Alkekenge - unpretentious plant with small but bright cups of fruits

Physalis Franchet is the most popular. Its voluminous red-orange calyxes and round red fruits are highly prized by decorators.

Physalis Franchet is named after the French professor, biologist and taxonomist Adrien René Franchet, who, studying the flora of Japan and China, discovered and described this plant in 1879.

For convenience in everyday life, the species of Physalis vulgaris is called ornamental physalis, emphasizing that the fruits of the plant are inedible.

To decorative species Physalis Longifolia also applies. This is the only representative of the numerous genus Physalis, which is valued for its unusual flowers. They are a delicate light yellow color with dark purple spots inside. Yellow-green fruits are edible.

Physalis Longifolia is the only species of the entire Physalis genus that is valued by landscape designers for its unusual flowers.

Features of growing ornamental physalis

Common physalis seeds can be sown on seedlings or directly in open ground. For prevention against various diseases, pre-sowing preparation is necessary:

Sowing in open ground is carried out when the air temperature is kept at about 20ºС, which corresponds to the end of May-beginning of June.

How to get high-quality seedlings: step by step instructions

Physalis seedlings begin to grow in mid-April. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. The soil substrate is sterilized in the oven or doused with hot steam, then laid out in containers for seedlings.

   

   The substrate wrapped in gauze is steamed in a water bath to avoid seedling diseases.

2. Seeds are placed on the surface of the soil and pressed into the soil to a depth of not more than 1 cm, preferably at the same distance from each other.

   

   Seeds are placed on the surface of the soil, and then gently pressed into the soil to a shallow depth.

3. The soil is sprayed with water.
4. The containers are covered with a transparent material, creating a semblance of a greenhouse in them.

   

   Containers are covered with foil or other transparent material to create optimal conditions for seed germination

5. Maintain the air temperature in the room where the seedlings are located 15-20ºС.
6. A week later, as soon as shoots appear, the makeshift greenhouse is removed.

   

   When shoots appear, the shelter is removed from the containers.

7. They put the seedlings in a well-lit place, watered as needed, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.
8. In the phase of two or three leaves, the seedlings dive into separate containers.

   

   Picking helps physalis actively develop the root system

9. To regular watering, top dressing is added every 14 days with a complex mineral fertilizer, for example, Agricola.

   

   For top dressing, complex mineral fertilizers are used, diluting them with water in accordance with the instructions.

Planting grown seedlings in open ground is carried out closer to the beginning of June.

Landing

When choosing soil for planting, you need to pay attention to its acidity. "Chinese lantern" will grow well in neutral or calcareous soil, but in an acidic, swampy environment it can seriously wither. Also don't forget crop rotation. Young plants should not be placed where representatives of the Solanaceae family have already been cultivated - tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes. But physalis will feel great on the soil from under cucumbers, cabbage, and legumes. "Chinese lantern" is photophilous. It can grow in partial shade, but will not actively bloom and bear fruit.

Two weeks before planting, prepare a place for future plants:

Do not use fresh manure - the “Chinese lantern” will get sick from it.

Seedlings ready for planting in open ground should have a minimum of 5-6 leaves. Landing is carried out in late May-early June on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon.

Care

Physalis ordinary easily adapts to various climatic and weather conditions. Resistant to cold and frost. He needs shelter only in case of a long snowless winter.

The undoubted plus of physalis is drought resistance. Watering an adult plant is necessary only during a strong and long drought.

"Chinese Lantern" does not like the neighborhood with weeds. Weeding and loosening is best done at least once a month, but if you keep the soil under the mulch, weeding can be omitted.

Top dressing is best done twice a year: during active growth in late spring and during flowering. It is necessary to add either a mixture of compost, humus and ash (the proportions are the same as those used when planting physalis), or any complex mineral fertilizer.

For greater beauty of the branches and trunk, the decorative physalis must be tied up. Then the shoots with "flashlights" will become straight and even.

To make the shoots of the plant straight and even, decorative physalis is tied up

Breeding methods

The adult bush of common physalis has a powerful, long rhizome. The division of this underground organ is the most commonly used method of reproduction.

1. The old plant is dug up.
2. Divided into several bushes with a well-developed root system.
3. The resulting bushes are planted in a new place.
4. Plants are watered.

Due to its rapidly growing rhizomes, physalis takes root well. There are two seasons when breeding can be done in this way: spring and autumn.

If it is hot in July and you want to increase the number of Chinese lantern bushes, then it is best to use the cutting method. Sequencing:

1. Cut cuttings from the plant - the tops of the shoots containing 2 or 3 buds.
2. Plant the cuttings in loose soil, deepening them half the length, at a distance of 50 cm from each other.
3. Be sure to water.
4. Cover with a cap made of a film in which holes are made for air to enter.
5. After rooting, free the young plants from the film.

When propagating ornamental physalis, keep in mind that it grows rapidly. Gardeners advise planting it in a barrel without a bottom or other container to limit the spread to nearby neighbors in the flower bed.

Video: Physalis Franchet - an unpretentious plant for the garden

Physalis diseases and how to deal with them

Provided that all planting rules are followed, plant diseases are unlikely. But you need to know about some diseases.

A viral mosaic is characterized by a change in leaf color: one part of the leaf darkens, while the other brightens (or turns yellow). There are many reasons for the appearance of the mosaic, including the wrong crop rotation of the plant. There is only one method of struggle: uproot the diseased plant and burn it. And treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Mosaic disease is characterized by a change in leaf color

Black leg - a disease that affects only physalis seedlings, is a consequence of waterlogging of the soil. May develop if you planted young plants ahead of time into cold soil. This disease is easy to recognize - the stem turns black, and the sprout itself dies.

Sick seedlings need to be removed and thrown away, and the soil from under them should be treated with fungicides. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to loosen the soil more often and thin out the seedlings in time after germination.

Black leg disease - the stem turns black, and the sprout itself dies

And, finally, the most common disease of ornamental physalis is white rot. The stem of the plant begins to rot at the root base. This disease, the cause of which is waterlogging of the soil, can only be cured by one thing - transplanting physalis to another more suitable place.

White rot is characterized by the appearance of plaque at the base of the stem.

Due to stem rot, the plant can be affected by aphids. To combat it, it is better to use insecticides, such as Iskra or Aktara.

The variety of forms of currently cultivated plants allows you to create the most unusual landscape design and, along the way, derive practical benefits from it. Berry, vegetable and ornamental physalis is an unpretentious culture from the nightshade family. Some varieties can be used for medicinal and healing purposes. Physalis edible is used in canning and in dried form. The process of growing from seeds requires attention, time and some knowledge of agricultural technology. How to get strong seedlings and a high yield - we will tell in this article. In the meantime, we offer to look at the varieties of physalis in the photo:

Types and varieties of physalis (with photo)

A huge selection among the presented bags of seeds sometimes makes even experienced gardeners confused. Physalis species are usually divided according to the purpose of its cultivation:

1. decorative varieties of physalis have pronounced aesthetic properties;
2. vegetable varieties give a rich harvest of fruits weighing up to 150 grams;
3. berry or strawberry physalis gives fruits of small mass (up to 10 gr.), which have excellent organoleptic qualities.

Varieties of ornamental physalis are most resistant to adverse environmental conditions. During the flowering period, they form a bright orange flashlight. Another name for the species is physalis Franchet or Chinese lantern. Can be used in winter flower arrangements as a dried flower.

The most popular varieties of vegetable physalis are Korolek and Early Moscow. You can see them in the photo below:

A distinctive feature is the high ripening rate and a wonderful sweetish taste. It is used in canning, in the preparation of jams and jams.

The widest palette of varieties is observed among the berry or strawberry varieties of Physalis - they are divided into three subspecies:

1. the Peruvian type has fruits with a pronounced citrus aroma and taste, suitable for drying and jam;
2. Florida physalis is used exclusively for jam, reminiscent of the taste and aroma of cherries;
3. the sweetest and most delicious fruits can be obtained by planting raisin berry physalis - the tangerine flavor is preserved both during drying and when making jam.

When choosing a suitable Physalis variety for growing from seeds on personal plot attention should be paid to the timing of maturation. The shorter the summer, the more early-ripening variety should be chosen. The way out of the situation can be a seedling method of growing. We will talk about it further.

Growing physalis from seeds: planting and care

You can get a rich harvest or a magnificent decorative planting only with strict observance of the rules of agricultural technology. It is advisable to grow physalis from seeds in any climatic zone of Russia by seedlings. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out at the same time as for peppers or other nightshade crops. As a rule, by the time the seedlings are transplanted into open ground conditions, the seedlings should have reached the age of 60 days. Thus, if planting is planned at the end of May, then seedlings should be sown in mid-February. The term of emergence of shoots averages 20 - 27 days. How the planting of physalis is carried out and the subsequent care of seedlings and adult plants - we will tell further.

So, the preparation begins with the processing of the soil. Requires humus-rich soil with the addition of river sand. The resulting soil is disinfected, calcined in the oven, treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate and fungicides. After a day, you can start planting physalis seeds .. To do this, a container with low sides is filled with soil about half the height. Then the surface is slightly compacted. Seeds are laid out at an equal distance from each other. From above, it wakes up with a layer of earth for about 2/3 of the entire height of the walls of the container. After the emergence of seedlings, the remaining 1/3 of the height can be filled during the filling of the soil until the picking is carried out. After sowing, the surface is carefully watered with warm boiled water. The container is covered with polyethylene and placed in a warm dark place.

After germination, daily drip irrigation is carried out. Top dressing begins after picking (7 days after the procedure. Picking is necessary after the first pair of true leaves appear. To do this, 1 seedling is taken out with a teaspoon and planted in separate peat pots with a diameter of up to 10 cm.

Top dressing in the process of growing seedlings can be carried out with complex fertilizers with mineral and organic components (Agricola, Giant, Fertika and others).

For active growth and development of physalis seedlings, an ambient temperature of at least 23 degrees Celsius is required. Daylight hours are also important. When shoots appear before March 20, daily additional lighting should be carried out using a phytolamp. It turns on for 3-4 hours every evening.

Care for physalis when grown outdoors

Transplantation into open ground is carried out at the moment when the ambient temperature at night ceases to fall below +10 degrees Celsius. Before this moment, it is important to harden the seedlings, gradually increasing the time they spend outside from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Physalis care when grown in open ground consists in regular watering and the application of mineral fertilizers in order to entrain the mass of the crop. A bed is being prepared before planting. It should not have grown potatoes, peppers or tomatoes in the previous 3 years. The best predecessors are carrots, beets, onions, cabbage, peas and beans. The site is carefully dug up and weeds are removed from it. Then humus should be added to the soil at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 sq. meter. Also, for each sq. meter is brought in 50 gr. nitroammophoska or any complex mineral fertilizer for nightshade crops. You can remove excess acidity with wood ash or slaked lime.

For planting, prepare holes with a depth of up to 30 cm, the plants should be placed according to the scheme 70x70 cm. The stem of the seedling should be covered with earth until the first pair of true leaves. If the seedlings are very stretched, then you can increase the depth of planting in open ground. After planting, you need to water and mulch the soil with sawdust treated with nitrogen.

In the period until the seedlings get stronger in a new place, it is very important to shelter them from the scorching rays of the sun and possible pests. The soil should be kept loose and weed-free. For shelter, you can use a translucent film, for example, lutrisil or spunbond. Top dressing begins 2 weeks after transplantation. The first two are carried out with a diluted mullein or chicken with the addition of nitrogen. Then, before budding, they are used as top dressings. mineral compositions designed for nightshade crops. Bring in root top dressing should be no more than 1 time per week.

Most varieties of Physalis do not require additional support. These are strong bushes. In case of formation of too many stepchildren, they are pruned. Thus, it is possible to form a decorative appearance and stimulate the formation of fruits of greater weight.

When signs of wilting or the presence of pests appear, all parts of the diseased plant should be removed. Regular spraying with fungicides and insecticides helps.