How to Grow Cossack Pineapple

Cossack pineapples (Physalis pruinosa), also known as ground cherries, are shrub-like plants that produce small orange-yellow fruits similar to tomatoes. The fruits are surrounded by a husk that dries to a papery texture when they are ripe. The plants grow up to 3 feet tall and can be treated as annuals or perennials, depending upon the climate where they grow. Cossack pineapples thrive in full sun and aren't picky about soil conditions. Start the plants indoors, about eight weeks before the last spring frost is expected in your region.

3-inch containers
Lightweight potting soil
Spade
Mulch
Fish fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Fill 3-inch containers with lightweight potting soil. Choose containers that have a minimum of one hole in the bottom to prevent root rot from over-watering.
- 2
  Sow the Cossack pineapple seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep and add just enough water to lightly moisten the soil.
- 3
  Keep the soil barely moist at all times, but take care not to over-water because this may interfere with germination. It takes approximately six to 10 days for the seeds to sprout.
- 4
  Place the seedlings in a shady outdoor location for at least half an hour each day, beginning approximately two weeks before transplanting them to the garden. Gradually increase the amount of time the plants spend outdoors, as well as their exposure to sunlight. This process is known as hardening off and increases the likelihood of the seedling's survival. Avoid placing the plants outdoors when temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or heavy rain is expected.
- 5
  Prepare the garden site by loosening the soil 8 to 12 inches deep.
- 6
  Plant the seedlings in holes twice the width of their root systems. Bury the roots approximately 2 to 3 inches deeper than they originally grew. Water until the soil feels moist. Allow 2 to 3 feet of space between each Cossack pineapple seedling.
- 7
  Place 2 inches of mulch around the plants, keeping it 2 to 3 inches from the stems.
- 8
  Provide the plants with approximately 2 inches of supplemental water every week, unless rainfall has been sufficient.
- 9
  Spray the foliage with a solution of fish fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength, when blooms develop. Spray the plants again approximately 14 days later.
- 10
  Harvest when the husks change to brown and the fruits drop to the ground.

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