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**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum
December 21,1997
Sharlene Floam wrote:
Hi there! Received a Jerusalem Cherry - know it is poisonous - no
animals or little ones near by - would like to know the care it takes?
Light - water- indoor/out temps. Thanks a million.
Good morning Sharlene,
I didn't know much about the Jerusalem Cherry plant (Solanum pseudocapsicum) before you wrote.
Most of what I found out didn't surprise me a bit. I knew that it was in the same family as Nightshade,
and like Nightshade is very toxic. It did come as a bit of a shock to find eggplant and potatoes in the
same family though.
Jerusalem Cherry is a tender perennial. As a houseplant, it requires full sun to thrive, but it will
survive with moderate to bright light. Mist the plant often. Temperatures above 70 degrees or lack of
humidity will cause the plant to lose its leaves and blooms. The plant should be potted in a rich, well
drained potting soil, and kept moist during the growing cycle. Feed with a liquid 5-10-5 'blooming
houseplant' fertilizer every two weeks while the plant is growing vigorously, but discontinue feeding
when the plant has finished blooming.
After the fruits have dropped, cut the plant back drastically, and in the spring, when ALL danger of
frost has passed, plant it outside, in a semi- sunny place. If you live in a frost free zone, the plant will
develop into a nice 2-3 foot, woody shrub. If you want to keep the plant going in frost zones, you will
need to dig the plant up, repot, and begin the cycle all over again.
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