The Chilean bellflower, copihue or Lapageria rosea, is a type of ornamental plant. It is found in many gardens, because of its showy and large bell-shaped flowers which make them very beautiful plants. This plant is actually the national flower of Chile. The colors are bright, with tones of red, fuchsia or white. If you want to have these beautiful flowers in your garden, pay attention. On OneHowTo.com we explain how to grow Lapageria Rosea. With these simple tips you'll make your garden look colorful.
The best time to grow Lapageria rosea is at the start of Spring. This is when flowering begins. Flowering ends in autumn. In addition, these plants need to be grown in a temperature range between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Remember that it comes from the Chilean mountains with a warm atmosphere during the day and a blast of cold at night.
Indirect light. As a mountain plant, ensure that the light does not shine on the plant directly, otherwise it can cause damage. Search your garden for a shady place to plant the lapageria. Under a tree is the best option because its allows the sunlight to filter through.
The Lapageria rosea is a creeper which can reach up to 20 meters long. You must consider this when you look for the ideal location. Under a tree or near a fence, it will be easier to keep it tangled and twisted.
Soil type. The Lapageria needs soil that is rich in minerals and which often stays wet. It must also be slightly acid. Try to find well-drained soil which does not contain large amounts of lime. Before sowing the seeds of this plant, removes some soil and add special sand - you can find it in any gardening store.
That said, it is time to grow your Lapageria rosea. First, you must germinate the delicate seeds. Try not to have them stored for a long time. Do not leave them exposed to extreme weather. They could lose their fertility if they're damaged. Plant fresh seeds so they germinate quickly. Germination time is between 6 and 8 weeks. If the atmosphere is not warm, grow them inside a greenhouse. Remember: it always should be moist.
Before planting them, wash the seeds gently. The important thing is to remove the layer of pulp in which the sheath is wrapped. Then put them between peat and sand and manure. Add to the mixture some fertilizer, you'll find it in your local gardening center.
When the seeds have germinated and you can see the first shoots of life, you should start thinking about transplanting them. While it is not advisable to wait more than a year to do so, you should be cautious and let the plants take root. If you find that there are many buds and there's little room together, distribute them in different pots or spread them out in the soil. Remember, it will take your Lapageria three years to produce flowers.
Take care of your plants. You must protect them from their main enemies: greedy snails and slugs. These small animals can infest the plant and eat all the stems. Use products to remove them and try watering your copihue with rainwater or bottled water.
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- When your plant has already bloomed, prune them between October, November and December. Remove any dried up leaves and twigs.
- Fertilise the plants during the spring, before flowering.
- To make the soil slightly acid, add acidic peat and sand to the soil. You'll find these in your local gardening centre.