Lantern flower – care & propagation

The lantern flower is well used to warmth and sun. The location should also be selected according to these needs. The plant tolerates both full sun locations and areas in partial shade – depending on how moist the soil is kept. For example, plants that are in a constantly moist soil can withstand blazing sun, while with a moderately moist substrate, half-shady areas or a place with light shade in the garden should be preferred. In a partially shaded location, however, it must be taken into account that the lantern flower usually develops fewer flowers. All in all, Central European summer temperatures are tolerated quite well by the plant; the plant can be described as very warmth loving and can also tolerate intense heat.

For the cultivation of the lantern flower, an area protected from the wind should be chosen in any case, which optimally protects the plant from strong weather conditions. In addition to paying attention to the optimal location, the substrate should also be carefully selected:

• Overall, a moderately moist soil is suitable.
• Moist soil is recommended during fruiting.
• The substrate should be well drained, loamy and humus.
• The lantern flower thrives on nutrient-poor and acidic soils; but neutral, calcareous and poor substrates are also tolerated.
• Practice has shown that the plant thrives particularly well in calcareous soils.

The type of substrate influences the development of the plant. The lantern flower grows weed-like in particularly dry locations, while a substrate with many nutrients produces plants that are characterized by poor fruit formation but a lot of leaf mass.The cultivation of the lantern flower is best done in the middle of a flower bed. There the colorful plants provide variety and have a particularly decorative effect. The lantern flower feels particularly comfortable between bluebells or asters. Because the lantern flower sprawls heavily, the plant is particularly popular in the overgrown areas of the garden; there it unfolds its pretty orange-red color in autumn and winter. The plant can also be used as an ornament for visible fences and walls. When cultivating, however, consideration must be given to the spread of the plant; The lantern flower should therefore be planted at a distance from each other that corresponds to about half a growth width.

Watering, fertilizing and wintering the lantern flower

The lantern flower is quite undemanding. Watering is especially important in the growing phase so that strong leaves and flowers develop. But the lantern flower must also be well watered during the summer months. Otherwise the plant is poured heavily. Every gardener has to decide for himself whether the lantern flower should be fertilized or not. A few considerations can help with this:

• If there is fertilization every now and then, leaves with a particularly strong color are formed in autumn.
• A rhododendron fertilizer should be used as the optimal fertilizer.
• A very high supply of nutrients usually leads to a stronger development of the foliage; however, the fruiting then usually subsides.
• However, extensive mulching immediately after cultivation is recommended; With the help of the mulch, the water balance of the plant is optimally regulated.

The plant can be overwintered without complications. The plant is hardy and can be left in the garden during the cold season. However, the plant does not tolerate prolonged periods of frost.

Spreading and cutting

It is obvious: Since the lantern flower is very robust, thrives on almost any soil and is characterized by its ease of care, the plant spreads quickly. This can become a real problem: neighboring plants are easily overgrown by the lantern flower. The garden boundaries are also no obstacle for the robust plant. If action is not taken in good time, the plant will overgrow entire areas of the garden. It is therefore advisable to integrate a special root barrier when cultivating the plants. In order to limit the growth, strong foils have proven themselves for this purpose, which are robust and do not rot. With such foils, the walls of the plant hole are carefully lined. Now the roots can no longer spread unhindered and remain in a fixed location.

As an alternative to the plastic sheeting, special concrete rings can also be used. Stable plastic buckets, from which the soil is separated, are particularly suitable for smaller plants. Many hobby gardeners are familiar with the use of such a root barrier from the cultivation of bamboo. However, when growing the lantern flower, the barrier does not have to be sunk as deep into the earth as it is with bamboo plants, for example. If there are already overgrown areas in the garden and these are also desired, lantern flowers can also be planted in these areas without a root barrier. However, in this case too, overgrowth can take place, which becomes a threat to the entire garden. If you don’t want to take any risks, it is better to plant the plant in a tub. Plant boxes are also suitable for this. This ensures that the plant cannot spread any further. If the spread of the lantern flower is already out of control and the growth is to be contained, the parts of the plant must be dug up. Special care is required here: If a small residue of plants or roots is overlooked, the plant will sprout again.

Targeted pruning of the plant is not only recommended because of the vigor of the plant; The cut of the lantern flower is also suitable for maintenance reasons and for decorative purposes.

• The pruning of the plant is best done in spring; if the stems have become unsightly, the time has come.
• The lantern flower is cut close to the ground. The cut can be made generously.
• For decorative purposes, the plant is usually cut in late summer.
• For this purpose, either the shoots or complete branches including fruit stands can be cut off; this radical cut does not harm the plant.

Propagation and rearing

Anyone who has ever cultivated lantern flowers knows: The propagation practically works by itself, as the plant reproduces with the help of runners. Even if there are no lantern flowers in the garden, they can multiply without complications. In this case, the plant can be propagated either with the help of cuttings or with seeds. In order to obtain the seeds, it is necessary to wait for the fruit to ripen. During the summer months, orange fleshy fruits grow within the lampion-like leaves. In August these can be picked from the plant together with the lanterns. At this point, the surrounding sepals are quite thin and can easily be broken open in a star shape, exposing the fruit. The fruit is removed from the fruit cluster by turning it slightly and can be broken open by pressing it lightly; Small seeds emerge that can be used for propagation. Growing with the help of these plant seeds is best done from February. A warm room is ideal for this. The young plants thrive particularly well in permeable, calcareous substrate. The young plants have to be watered heavily and need a lot of sun. After May 15th – when the last frost has passed – the young plants are put into the open ground. The distance between the plants should be about half a growth width. The lantern flower already bears fruit in the first year, which produces seeds for further propagation. which can be used for propagation. Growing with the help of these plant seeds is best done from February. A warm room is ideal for this. The young plants thrive particularly well in permeable, calcareous substrate. The young plants have to be watered heavily and need a lot of sun. After May 15th – when the last frost has passed – the young plants are put into the open ground. The distance between the plants should be about half a growth width. The lantern flower already bears fruit in the first year, which produces seeds for further propagation. which can be used for propagation. Growing with the help of these plant seeds is best done from February. A warm room is ideal for this. The young plants thrive particularly well in permeable, calcareous substrate. The young plants have to be watered heavily and need a lot of sun. After May 15th – when the last frost has passed – the young plants are put into the open ground. The distance between the plants should be about half a growth width. The lantern flower already bears fruit in the first year, which produces seeds for further propagation. The young plants have to be watered heavily and need a lot of sun. After May 15th – when the last frost has passed – the young plants are put into the open ground. The distance between the plants should be about half a growth width. The lantern flower already bears fruit in the first year, which produces seeds for further propagation. The young plants have to be watered heavily and need a lot of sun. After May 15th – when the last frost has passed – the young plants are put into the open ground. The distance between the plants should be about half a growth width. The lantern flower already bears fruit in the first year, which produces seeds for further propagation.

Another method of propagating the lantern flower is to grow cuttings:

• Chinese lantern flowers quickly spread in width and can be divided easily.
• The rhizomes are simply cut up with a knife.
• Autumn has proven to be the best time to divide the rhizomes, and the October weeks are particularly well suited.
• Now the root pieces can be planted and watered well.

Diseases and pests

The lantern flower is basically one of the very robust plants that are not susceptible to pests or diseases. Changes to the plant are mostly caused by incorrect care or adverse location conditions. In principle, the lantern flower also thrives in the shade; however, leaves and fruits do not grow as lush as in specimens that thrive in partial shade or in the blazing sun. Excessive fertilization can also lead to changes in the plant. The use of fertilizers improves the growth of the leaves, but makes the fruits less thriving. Even with poor watering, the lantern flower can impair and lead to diseases. So long dry periods are to be avoided at all costs. On the other hand, persistent frost in winter leads to the plant freezing to death, which is why adequate frost protection must be provided in this case. Special pests of the lantern bush, however, are not known.

Toxicity of the Chinese lantern flowers

When cultivating lantern flowers, it must always be taken into account that parts of the plant have a certain poisonous potential. Whether the berries are poisonous or not is still a matter of controversy among experts. While some experts assume that the fruit can be consumed in small amounts – but not by children or sensitive people – others argue that even small amounts should be avoided. What is certain, however, is that certain parts of the plant have a certain poisonous potential:

• Green parts of the plant contain bitter substances, which can be detrimental to health.
• These bitter substances can irritate the stomach or intestines and cause vomiting or diarrhea, for example.
• In the literature, the green parts of the plant are predominantly referred to as slightly poisonous.

The fruits of the lantern flower must not be confused with the cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana). In terms of their external appearance, these are similar to the Chinese lantern flower, but are somewhat larger and less intense in color. The fruits of this plant are allowed to be eaten and are very healthy.

Conclusion