Why Physalis Doesn't Hatch: Difficulties in Growing the Crop

Physalis

Vegetable and ornamental physalis are propagated by seed and grown as an annual crop. When sown outdoors, seedlings emerge late and unevenly, so gardeners grow the plant from seedlings. However, even this method can lead to failure. There are several reasons why physalis plants fail to sprout, and those who have figured them out have no problems. The crop takes root permanently in the garden; in warm regions it reproduces by self-seeding and grows like a weed.

Briefly about agricultural technology

Seeds are sown in the ground when the soil at a depth of 8-10 cm warms up to 10-20°C, like potatoes. This is the last ten days of April or the first ten days of May. Physalis seedlings are planted in late March, like early-ripening tomato varieties. At 25-30 days old, the seedlings are transplanted into the garden bed.

Parameter	Description
Location	In the sun
Soil	Fertilized, neutral or slightly alkaline
Good predecessors	Cabbage
Good predecessors	Cucumbers
Bad predecessors	Nightshade crops
Watering	Moderate, regular
Top dressing	3 times during the summer with mullein infusion (1:10)
Possible diseases	Viral mosaic, black leg, late sporadic disease
Potential pests	Wireworm, mole cricket
Pinching out side shoots, pruning	Not required

Agricultural technology is not complicated, but failure to comply with the listed requirements negatively affects the growth and development of physalis.

Comment!

The physalis is growing poorly because the bed was made in the shade, the soil in the garden is acidic, depleted, and waterlogged, and last year tomatoes or other nightshade crops were grown in this place.

The seedling is ready for transplanting into the ground when it has formed 5-7 true leaves. It will quickly adapt to its new location and will go through all developmental stages (flowering and fruiting) on time. The berries will have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.

Why don't physalis seeds germinate?

Physalis seeds shouldn't be stored in dried berries. While in them, they can germinate and dry out. Such seeds won't sprout in the spring. The correct way is to:

seeds are removed from ripe fruits;
rinse in cold water;
place on a folded paper towel or napkin;
allow to dry completely;
put into a paper bag;
stored until spring.

Comment!

Vegetable physalis varieties for the central zone include Konditer, Gruntovy Gribovsky 2046, Moskovsky Ranniy. M-1, and Strawberry Raisin.

The poor germination rate of seeds purchased at the supermarket is easily explained. There are several varieties of physalis, each with different biological properties and germination temperatures. Not all gardeners take this into account.

Variety	Soil temperature at which seeds germinate quickly
Strawberry	15 °C
Peruvian	20 °C
Mexican	10 ° C

Germination depends on how the seeds are prepared for planting. For physalis, it's standard:

First they sort - the largest ones are selected;
empty, non-germinating specimens are identified - they are filled with water, and those that float to the surface are discarded;
disinfect by keeping in a solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.

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After these steps, planting begins. The table describes methods that accelerate seed germination.

Item No.	Ingredient	Amount of drug	Soaking time
1	Ash	1 tsp	24 hours
1	Water	100 ml	24 hours
2	Epin	2 drops	6 p.m.
2	Water	100 ml	6 p.m.
3	Potassium humate (peat)	25 drops	12 o'clock
3	Water	100 ml	12 o'clock

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Physalis seedlings are weak and sick

Nightshade seedlings suffer from fungus, and physalis is no exception. Seedlings often die from blackleg. The pathogen is found in the soil and becomes active under favorable conditions. Symptoms include a thin, dark stem at the base. Causes of blackleg in physalis seedlings:

cold, damp air;
soil quality (wet, acidic, infested with fungus).

Comment!

Immunocytophyte is used to prevent viral diseases. A solution is prepared by mixing 100 ml of water and one tablet of the solution. The seeds are soaked in the solution for 3 to 12 hours.

To avoid losing all seedlings, diseased plants are dug up with a lump of soil and destroyed. The remaining plants and soil are sprayed with a fungicide solution. Physalis seedlings are disease-free if planted in high-quality soil and provided with favorable conditions.

Soil composition	Quantity
Garden soil	2 parts
Peat	4 parts
Sand	Part 1
Humus	2 parts

Seedlings stretch if they don't get enough light and the room temperature is above 20°C. There are products that prevent this, such as growth regulators like Atlet and Zircon. Supplemental lighting and seedling transplantation can also have a positive effect.

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Before transplanting, physalis is fertilized with Rastvorin and Agricola fertilizers every two weeks, and moderate watering maintains optimal soil moisture. When the weather warms up, take it outside. To prevent the seedlings from getting sick, use warm (22°C) and settled water.

At a temperature of 22-25°C, properly prepared seeds germinate quickly. Seedlings will not get sick if the room is cool (18-20°C), there are no drafts, and the soil pH is 6.5-7 and moderately moist.