Common name:
Maqui / Chilean wineberry

Origin:
Chile

Description:
The maqui has been cultivated for centuries by the Mapuche Indians in Chile for their healthy black-purple berries. The berries are about half a centimetre in size en have a lovely taste which is comparable to that of a blackberry. They can be eaten fresh or dried, but are also processed into jam, juice, wine and the Chilean chichi. The Mapuche also used the berries as a traditional medicine against fever and diarrhoea. In nature, the species is a small tree that can reach a height of 5 meters and can be kept as a container plant at a minimum temperature of -5 degrees Celsius. The plants are dioecious, so that there are both male and female plants. Female plants also produce berries without pollination: even seedless in that case.

Germination instructions:
First soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Then sow them in sowing mix and germinate them at 25degC. Keep the soil constantly moist.

Sowing time:
All year round

Photo 2: Jardin Exotique de Roscoff