I planted a cape gooseberry plant from seeds (it's in a pot). It's been growing well and it seems there are going to be quite a lot of fruits, but recently some of the leaves started wilting and they are going brown. Any ideas why is this happening?
This can happen for several reasons. The most common for potted plants in the summer is that they do not get enough water. I would recommend soaking the container in a tub for 20 minutes or so to force rehydration if it has become over dry (which then causes the soil to actually repel water). Then make sure you are watering daily during the summer and that the plant is not sitting in standing water.
As a precaution, treat the plant with a fungicide and a pesticide. These symptoms could also be the result of a fungus or pests.
I have a large, very productive cape gooseberry bush that has suddenly, just this year, developed a disgusting problem. Some of the stems are covered with clusters of dark brown bumps, which seem to be killing some of the branches. The bumps look hard but are squishable. I'm guessing it's insect-related. I chopped off the branches that were hardest-hit, but need a less drastic preventive and/or cure--preferably something organic and non-toxic. Can you help me?
That would be scale. This insect is a bit of a challenge. You will want to remove as many as possible by hand, first. Since they seal themselves to your plant, insecticides will not reach them without breaking that seal.
Once you have removed what you can, you can spray with insecticides.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides