Method for saving Physalis pruinosa seed?

[LInFL]

I am growing Physalis pruinosa. The ones I bought were from Pinetree seeds, marketed as Pineapple Tomatillo. I know they are the same species as Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry. I am not clear on whether they are the same cultivar.

So, has anyone saved the seed from these? I'd guess they are done like tomato seeds (fermented), but maybe I am totally wrong. Even if they are fermented, are there any special tricks for these? They are such tiny seeds...after fermenting, will they sink like tomato seeds? Are there any tricks to rinsing them? It seems that such tiny seeds would be really easy to accidentally pour off.

(I know they have a tendency to self-seed, but I will be rotating other crops into that bed this fall and again in the spring, so it won't be practical for me to wait for volunteers.)

Thanks to anyone who can help!

[TXDirtDog]

I'm going to try to save some this season also, as my stock is getting low. I googled and found this method on a blog.

http://simplepreppingnow.com/2011/08...-cherry-seeds/

I also have some on the counter that just dried out and shrivelled over time. When I broke open the dried fruit, the seeds fell out. I'm getting ready to do a germination test in a paper towel to see if these are viable without all the water and blending.

Good luck!

[LInFL]

Thanks for the link!

I'd appreciate it if you post the results of your germination test, too. Just letting them dry out seems easier if it works. It also seems closer to the way things work in nature when the plants self-seed.

Only problem is, I'd have to let them dry out somewhere the kids didn't see them...they'd eat them long before they shrivel!

[FarmerBob22]

Hi Laura,

Here is what I found from the Smart Gardener web app:

"Ground Cherries are some of the easiest crops to save seed from. You can save seed from any Ground Cherry so long as it is open pollinated and not a hybrid.

To get the seed, simply squeeze the pulp from the ripe fruit and mix with water. Allow to settle, and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Drain out excess water and pulp and allow seeds to dry. Store in a cool, dry place."

Hope that helps! You should get somewhere near 75% germination and the seeds are usually viable for at least 4 years.

[LInFL]

Two days after my first post, I went out to the garden. I hadn't picked the pineapple tomatillos for a few days. I found some fruits on the ground that appeared to have burst inside their husks and dried out. The seeds were dry and exposed. So I collected those and kind of shook/rubbed them to get the seeds to fall out. I am doing a germination test on those now.

I also found some that hadn't burst, but looked past their prime (dull yellow-orange and mottled). I brought those in and tried FarmerBob's method. It worked well, very easy. The most time consuming part was squeezing out the pulp. If I were going to do very many fruit at a time, I'd use the blender (like TDD posted) to speed that step. The seeds came out nice and clean, not sticky, so I think they will store well.

Between the two methods, I have several years' worth of seeds now.

Thanks!