Lapageria rosea
| Lapageria rosea | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Winter |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Lapageria rosea (common name: chilean bellflower)
Propagation: Seed - it is best to sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot as soon as the seed is ripe, in a humus-rich sandy soil in a warm greenhouse[1][2][3]. It usually germinates within 6 weeks at 20°c[3]. The flesh of the fruit might contain germination inhibitors and should be completely removed before the seed is sown[3]. The stored seed will require stratification. Pre-soak for 3 days in warm water, changing the water 3 - 5 times a day, then stratify for 1 - 3 months at 4°c[2]. Stored seed germinates within 1 - 3 months at 22°c[2]. Thin the seedlings to the strongest plant in each pot and grow on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse before planting out in early summer. Give the plants some protection for their first winter outdoors.
Layering in spring before new growth begins[4] or in autumn[5]. It is best done in individual pots because the roots are very brittle. It takes about 12 months[4].
Leaf bud cuttings[3].
Cultivation: Thrives in a lime-free humus-rich soil[6][7][5]. Requires a cool shady position in a warm moist atmosphere[7]. Succeeds in dry shade according to another report[8]. Requires a deep open-textured soil in a warm position[9][2][5] with shade[6][10]. Requires a well-drained soil[1][2][5]. Dislikes cold winds[3].
The Chilean bellflower is best grown on a partially shady and sheltered wall where it will withstand temperatures down to about -5°c[5]. Plants on sunny walls tend to succumb in cold winters whilst those on shady walls are much more likely to survive[10]. Plants can be cut back to the ground in cold winters but will often regrow in the spring[10].
A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants and other supports[11]. It does not really require pruning[11].
A very ornamental plant[1], it is the national flower of Chile[12]. It is not very cold-tolerant, but is commonly cultivated in greenhouses in Britain. It is, however, hardy outdoors in the milder areas of the country[1][7]. The fruits are only occasionally formed in Britain[11].
When growing this plant from seed, it pays to be very selective and only grow on the strongest seedlings since a weak plant tends to remain weak[1]. Slugs are very fond of the young plants and will soon destroy them if given an opportunity[1]. Plants are also subject to attacks by aphis in the spring[1].
Seedlings require a very free-draining soil and it is best to cover them in a plastic bag for a few days after transplanting[2]. Plants are slow to establish, but are very long-lived[13].
Range: S. America - Argentina, Chile.
Habitat: Shady woodlands[10], usually near the coast because it likes a humid atmosphere, between latitude 34 and 41°south[14].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[15][14][3][16][5]. A sweet white juicy pulp, the yellow fruits are the size of a hen's egg[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Reed, David. Lilies and Related Plants. 1989.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Reiche, Karl. Flora de Chile.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.