Giant Chinese Lantern Gigantea  (Winter Cherry )
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii
 
Mostly grown for its luminous papery lanterns, Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (Chinese Lantern) is a vigorous, spreading herbaceous perennial with ovate green leaves and small, starry, creamy-white flowers in summer.
 
 
Details:
Plant life cycle: perennial
Site :Full sun/Partial shade
Height: 30-40" ( 76-102 cm)
Plant spacing: 20-30 " ( 51-76cm)
Hardiness zone:3-9
Sow : Surface, prsees into soil, slightly cover
Approx seeds per packet: 50
 
How to grow :
 
Chinese lantern seeds can be started both indoors and directly outdoors. If starting indoors, sow the seeds into starter trays or small pots 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost of the season. Lightly cover with soil,
If starting these seeds directly outdoors, wait until all danger of frost has passed, then sow seeds into a prepared seedbed.
Sow 3 seeds per plant, and leave 24 inches of space between each plant site. Keep seeds moist until germination, which will occur in 2-4 weeks under proper conditions.
 
How to harvest:
When the pods have matured to their orange to reddish-orange color, it's time to harvest them. First, cut off a stem with pods at ground level. Strip off the leaves, and place into water.
To dry : hang whole stem upside down in a dark, cool place with good ventilation  to dry the pods. Drying should be complete in a few weeks.
 
Vase life:
Will last very long time- 7-14 days