Chilean bellflower (Lapageria rosea)

Product description

The Chilean trumpet flower is the national flower of Chile and produces abundant and graceful red flowers. It is the only species of the genus Lapageria and originates from temperate rainforests in southern Chile, including the Valdivia ecoregion. The evergreen climbing plant can grow up to 10 metres high there, twisting upwards. The direction of the branches is thought to be determined by the sun, as it rotates counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere and clockwise in the northern hemisphere. The flowers are pollinated in nature by hummingbirds, and after pollination, elongated berries with a tough skin and edible flesh follow. 

In a temperate climate, the climbing plant can be kept as a container plant. It is a slow grower, but after 3 years, under the right conditions, you will be rewarded with exuberant flowering. Young plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight, so provide a warm sheltered, shady spot and something for the plant to climb against. Protect young plants from frost by overwintering them at temperatures around 5 °C. Older plants can tolerate some frost down to -5 °C. Water regularly, but ensure well-drained soil to prevent root rot. The plant thrives in acidic to neutral soil.

Sowing description: Seeds can first be soaked in lukewarm water for 72 hours, replacing the water in between. The seeds can then be sown in seed and cutting compost. Water regularly, but not too much. A daytime temperature of 20 °C and a night-time temperature of around 13 °C is ideal for germination. Another method is to store the seeds in a plastic bag with moist vermiculite until they germinate. It is a difficult germinator, but as long as the seed still feels hard, germination may still occur. In some cases, this can take more than 5 months.