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Ooooh that's pretty NC, can you tell us more? Where are you growing this? If hardy to 25F can we take a chance in GA? What size are the flowers? Why the white and pink?
I have been away from this site for nearly a year so that is why I haven't responded to the postings. I'm back now and glad to be here.
violabird had a few questions about Lapageria
Where are you growing this?
In eastern NC Zone 8a. Lapageria is an excellent container plant. The pic above is from one I have growing in a clay pot.
If hardy to 25F can we take a chance in GA?
I have grown this plant for about 3 years. I have several in containers and a couple of plants in the ground. What I have found through my winter testing is Lapageria is stem hardy down to temps of 18 F. Last year the temp dipped to 12 degrees twice in a row and that was enough to kill the above ground stems. However, both the stems and leaves survived temps of 22 degrees 7 times before the mercury finally hit 12 a few weeks later. This was a young plant and was not old enough to bloom. This spring will be another good test of how the roots survive and if the plant will bloom this season.
What size are the flowers? Why the white and pink?
Lapageria comes in various colours including bicolour forms like the pink and white. Flower size is about 3.5 to 4” long. The petals are waxy to touch and last for an over a week when fully open. The nice thing about growing the plant in a container is if keep in a cool greenhouse(night temps in the 40’s) it will grow in the dead of winter and have two flower blooming seasons. One in the spring and another in the fall. Stems have to be about 6-8 months old to form flower buds.
Last January my first Lap seeds germinated. The seedlings are still quite small but are growing nicely now. Since this plant is not widely available expect in CA I had to send outside the US to obtain seeds. I plan to try and fruit at least one flower this season to have my own collection of seeds. The fruit is said to be edible.
I will have more info on Lapageria posted on my website soon plus some new info to post here also.
Very nice! I have seeds I am just getting ready to sow this spring, now this makes me want to jump on that first. Lovely photo. Thanks for sharing with us.
Laurrie
Where were you able to obtain seeds? I've tried germinating seeds twice before with no success til the 3rd attempt when I finally did it!
After some research I discovered seed germination for Lapageria is dependent on how fresh the seeds are. Seeds freshly collected from the fruit of the plant and not allowed to dry out give the best results by far. Planting and keeping the soil cool is important also. Seems this plant likes cool night for best results. On my 3rd and successful attempt it took 4 months before I saw any seed sprout.
Hi Ray, I got mine from Chile!! not that same place that you did but from Chile, too cool. And thank you so much for the information on growing and conditions, my seeds are fresh so hopefully will grant me some luck.
I am going to try them soon, I will try to remember to post any news and updates here for you.
Thanks again for the link! I am printing it for reference!
Laurrie
Beautiful bloom. I think I might have to give this one a try. I know my friend had no luck with the seeds. Maybe I can find a plant and go from there. Thanks for the info.
Dear NCplantsman,
I am writing from Florida. I have tried growing Lapageria rosea "Nashcourt" here in Orlando in the past on an east-facing shaded wall, but it did not seem to do very well. It grew best fall through spring when the temperatures were cooler, and it almost went dormant in the summer. The leaves had developed a whitish blister on the surface, whether from insect damage or temperature intolerance I do not know. The plant lasted about two years I think after bringing it home from England before dying. I was wondering if you had similar problems in North Carolina, or whether perhaps the temp remains cool enough to where you do not experience these problems. Any tips? I did not know it would survive NC winters, since I understand the plant is tender below 23 F. Very interesting, and congratulations. It is not an easy plant to grow. I notice that it blooms in spring and fall, when the temps are perhaps cooler. How does it take the NC summers? Interesting to know. Congratulations with this plant, it is not an easy one to grow, especially in hot summer areas.
Interesting you posted this about Lapageria because I've had similar problems this year. A couple of my plants developed whitish some of which was insect damage, but the biggest problem has been a root rot disease. I've taken a couple of samples to be analyzed and was waiting for the results to come back before post a reply to your message. Since I'm not sure how long it will be before I get the results back here is what I've experienced with this vine.
Lapageria does prefer cooler temps and needs shade. Acid soil is important… high pH or lime can kill the plant. Generally a north or east exposure is best. I grow mine in a shade area cover with about 60% black nylon shade cloth like covers greenhouses. Last July I one of my plants grew nearly 2ft while temps were in the 90's to hear 100 for days. I do know of one person in SC that has grown the plant in a container for several years with no problems so it is possible to grow it here in the hot, humid south. Yet the plant will usually not grow nearly as much when the temps at night are above 65.
When I get the results back from the soil/root testing, I will post them here. If I can narrow down the problem then I believe Lap can be grown successfully.
