Two bad plants

[mommas arms]

I grew two new plants this year that I found really disapointing. The giant cape berry and the sweet pea tomato. The Giant ground cherries tasted like really bad sour rhubarb and the sweet pea tomatoes are just what the name implies "the size of a pea" and no flavor. Well, it's interesting to try differant things anyway. The rest of the garden did great. Last year I grew heirloom lemon tomatoes and they are definantly a favorite of mine.
Happy gardening

[Joan]

hi mommas,
I tried growing the ground cherry but no luck this year. I don't believe they are to eat like a tomato but cook in pies, sauces and jams. Perhaps that's why they were tart.
I had small pea size tomatoes once and they were wonderful. Tried them again this year when I got currant tomato seed and they were as you described, tasteless. Perhaps there are different varieties.
Hope you have better luck next time you try something different!

[Train]

Ya!
WHile I certainly sympathize I
have to admit I don't want any
pea sized maters.
I want them BIG! HUGE! GORILLA
SIZED!!!
Heheh
Train

[mommas arms]

Gorilla sized, cute. I have a black russian heirloom you would like then, however I have know idea what it is? It came via a russian friends sister. I'ts a beef steak mohagany tomato and is fantastic! If you Email your address I'll send you some. Maybe we can give it a name.
Momma
rainygardener@aol.com

[Imp]

Most of the current tomatoes I have tried are pretty intense in flavor- but this last year has been weird for many of the gardeners and farmers, especially with the tomatoes.

Things such as soil, weather, variety all can affect taste, might want to wait and try some again, or another strain of them- your results may be different than from this year's results.

I like the tiny ones to snack on, plus they go in salads so very well, or braise up with other veggies whole for a intense taste and visual appeal as well.

[Grass Hopper]

The ground cherries technically aren't ripe until they fall to the ground. That is why they have the paper coating. Try them as they fall and I think you will be surprised. My germination was terrible, but they one that made it tastes great.

[Denninmi]

The ground cherries have to be REALLY ripe to taste good -- amber colored. Anything with any hint of green will have a bitter aftertaste. Fully ripe, they really do taste basically of pineapple.

[Blueize]

Mom insists that those ground cherries make the best marmalade.

[EdlinUser]

I grew two new plants this year that I found really disapointing. The giant cape berry and the sweet pea tomato. The Giant ground cherries tasted like really bad sour rhubarb

I just planted my Giant Cape Gooseberries from seeds that I'd saved from my garden. When fully ripe they are delicious like a big sweet tart. You can't go wrong if you wait for them to fall from the plant but they will ripen on the plant. The papery husk will turn brown when the berries are ripe.

[TastyofHasty]

I love Giant Cape Gooseberries for FLAVOR; when they are ripe they are the BEST tasting berry I've ever eaten. The only problem is, not enough of them. Certainly there are never enough to make a pie. Maybe two or three come ripe on the plant at a time, for me. So ... I eat them immediately ... I TRY to be kind and pass one on to DH. As often as there are more than one ...