Cape gooseberry question.

[bobbin]

This year I grew cape gooseberries from seed planting out eventually on the lottie, with great success. (I had grown them in the greenhouse and had quite a few fruits last year)
Sadly not one fruit of a really good crop has ripened.
I realise this is a hot climate crop but was surprised at its final failure.
It's a slow crop to germinate and was dreadfully slow to mature to planting on size.
I live in West Sussex. Has anyone else experienced similar this year? :confused

[Scarlet]

I've tried once outside with similar results though this year was a very cold Spring, tomatoes struggled so I'm not surprised.perhsps give it another go next year? Though for me, it's definitely a GH crop.

[sparrow100]

All is not lost - get them to as big a size as you can. If they are at mature size but still greenish they will ripen off the plant, or on the plant, but with the plant hung upside down in your shed/garage/greenhouse. I had ripe ones in December/January last year using that method.

[Bacchus]

Mine done really well this year - but they are in the poly tunnel - still a good few to ripen though.

[Thelma Sanders]

I'll have to move mine inside the glasshouse then, or none of mine will ripen ;(

[Nicos]

I tried them in the greenhouse a few years back- again, none ripened...BUT....apparently if you can keep the plants frost free then they will overwinter.
Next year , with their established root system they can put their energies into fruiting and not growing!
Yup- I found that out after I'd composted my plants!

I suppose you could bring them indoors if you have space? they're big plants , but it might be worth cutting back the stems a bit????