Sowing Seeds

Plant seeds immediately after harvesting. Sow 1/2 inch deep in 4-inch-
wide pots filled within 1/2 inch of the top edge with a well-draining
potting soil mix. Place the seed container in bright, indirect light in a warm
location between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the potting mix
well and keep it slightly moist until germination occurs, generally in 24 to
50 days from sowing.

Growing Seedlings
Don't allow the seedlings to become rootbound. Unpot a seedling to see
that roots extend to the sides of the 4-inch pot but aren't yet curling around
the sides and base of the pot. Transplant the young trees into 10-inch-wide
pots, and grow them until they have a stem diameter of about 1/4 inch,
which may take four months. In frost-free areas, grow the transplanted
seedlings outdoors in partial sunlight. When they reach the desired stem
size, over the course of about a month, work the trees into progressively
greater sunlight until they're in full sun. Then plant them into the ground.
In frost-free areas, set them out at any time. In areas that experience cold
winters, keep the seedlings as container plants, transplanting them into
larger containers with drainage holes as they grow. This allows moving the
tree indoors in colder weather.

Soil, Soil and Spacing

Plant Indian gooseberry in full sun. This tree tolerates a wide variety of
well-draining soil types, from sandy loam to clay, and prefers a soil pH of
5.5 to 8.0. Before planting, dig in about a 2-inch-deep layer of a
combination of well-aged manure and compost. The trees normally grow
to 59 feet tall but can reach 100 feet tall. Space at least 25 feet away from
nearby structures or other trees. Trees normally lose some leaves
immediately after planting, but new leaves form as the trees establish.
Water Requirements
Water Indian gooseberry regularly during the first year or two it is in
place. Don't keep the soil constantly wet. After the tree is established, it is
fairly drought-tolerant. Water it during spring and summer while it is
growing, flowering and fruiting if there is no rain. If you flood or basin
irrigate, water every 15 to 30 days, and if sprinkler-irrigating, every week.
Usually irrigation isn't needed during fall and winter.

Feeding the Tree

Fertilize the tree with 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of actual nitrogen for every year of
the tree's age. Give half of the amount after fruit has set and the other half
four months later. If you're using a 12-12-12 fertilizer on a 1-year-old tree,
divide 1 ounce by the percentage of nitrogen, or 12, to equal 8 ounces,
which would be about 4 ounces per application.