The botanical name of Chinese
lanterns plants is Physalis alkekengi. The Chinese lanterns plants look like tomatillos
or husk tomatoes. They all look alike because they are all members of the
nightshade family. The spring flowers are actually pretty enough, but the real
delight of a Chinese lantern plant is the large, red-orange, inflated seed pod
from which the plant gets its common name. These papery pods enclose a fruit that
is edible though not very tasty. While the plant leaves and the unripened fruit
are actually poisonous, a lot of people like to make use of the pods in dried
flower arrangements. Continue reading to learn more about chinese lantern tree
care.
How to propagate Chinese lantern
plant
Actually, the growing of Chinese
lantern plants is similar to the growing of other members of the nightshade
family, such as peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. The Chinese lantern plant is
winter hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones three through nine. In addition to
growing Chinese lantern plants from small transplants, a lot of people have
success with growing Chinese lantern plant seeds. Chinese lantern plant seeds
can be a bit fussy to germinate. You can easily start them indoors in late
winter or early spring. The plant actually need light in order to germinate, so
lay them on top of the soil and place the pot in an area with bright but
indirect light and temperatures between seventy and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.
You need to have patience with the plant as it takes as long as a month for the
seedlings to emerge. Once transplanted outdoors, the Chinese lantern plant care
and growth begins with choosing the right site. The Chinese lantern plant needs
average, moist but well-drained soil and they also prefers full sun although it
will tolerate light shade.
Chinese lantern Tree Care
Caring for the Chinese lantern plants
is easy. Make sure you keep the soil moist at all times. Water the plant when
there is less than an inch (2.5 cm.) of rainfall in a week and also spread a two
to four inch layer of mulch on the soil to prevent water evaporation while
keeping the roots cool as well. You can fertilize the plant with a slow-release
fertilizer in spring and a balanced general-purpose fertilizer after flowering.
If the Chinese lantern plants become leggy after flowering, you can easily cut
them back to give them a fresh start. You can cut the plants back nearly to the
ground at the end of the season.
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