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Solanum pseudocapsicum

False Jerusalem Cherry · Jerusalem Cherry · Madeira Cherry

Family SolanaceaeGenus Solanum

A tub of white-variegated leaves hung with round orange and cream berries, against a granite wall.
FruitKENPEICC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Annual, Houseplant, Perennial, ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
subshrub or shrubPlants of the World Online
Height
0.3-3 ft10-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.3-3 ft10-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Bolivia, Brazil South, Brazil West-Central and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
8-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The fruit is mildly poisonous. In L. M. Montgomery's 1935 novel Mistress Pat, a Jerusalem cherry given as a Christmas gift is believed to bring bad luck. Wikipedia: Solanum pseudocapsicum

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

75% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Solanum p. 78Public domain
Show the original text
Solanum (Solanaceae). S. capsicastrum germ. 70D(6/8) and 70L(3/4) both in 2nd w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Solanum p. 78. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

75% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Solanum p. 78Public domain
Show the original text
Solanum (Solanaceae). S. capsicastrum germ. 70D(6/8) and 70L(3/4) both in 2nd w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Solanum p. 78. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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