Lapageria

[all43]

Proud as pounch first flower!

[MartinNicklin]

That’s beautiful. Is it a named variety? I’ve always loved them, they are my favourite of all flowers and currently have 6 but this year only one flower! It’s a pity they are so fickle and finicky but then again, if they were easy you’d see them everywhere and they’d lose their appeal! I’d love to get the picotee again. I did buy one from Charlie a few years ago (Relmutral?) but I carelessly allowed it to get frosted to death!
I’m currently trying to rekindle my white. It hated being transplanted and hated the heat in the greenhouse. It’s now in a pot indoors whilst it recovers! My biggest regret with these was not looking after one I bought years ago. It was in a batch of plants sold at Bridgemere (in the days when this place was a Mecca for plantaholics!). It had red/black flowers far darker than any I have seen images of. It must have been a chance seedling. It was stunning. Lost it in 2010 with about 5 other Laps.

[Glen in BC]

That is a gorgeous blossom, all43...something I can only dream about over here.

Martin, if I were as handy to Charlie as you, I'd also be acquiring, and likely losing, many more of these. They are also a definite favourite of mine ;)

[all43]

Thanks folks,the original seed did come from Charlie, planted in late January' 24, I'm not sure on the variety.

[MartinNicklin]

Well congrats on growing it from seed!

Glen, have you tried the Lapageria relative, Philesia? Mine stays out all year and I’ve had it a long time now. The flowers are (a bit) similar but it’s more of a creeping shrub than a climber. It’s hard to get over here but not sure if it’s more widely available over where you are.

[Glen in BC]

Martin, I think we might have discussed Philesia a few years back. I admired a nice plant at Logan, and at that time I think Charlie chimed in with some thoughts as well.

It is an impossible species to source here, except as seed probably from Chileflora or similar. And if the seed is as short lived as lapageria, that route might be difficult too!

Kudos to you all43, on getting your seedling to flower so quickly...you likely have a much better climate for lapageria than mine!

[MartinNicklin]

I’ve just read the interesting section on Philesia in Treees and Shrubs online and the text is accompanied by some nice images, especially of a very pale pink version. I had no idea they could attain such sizes.

It’s also very hard to acquire over here Glen. Given its apparent hardiness compared to the Laps, this surprises me but I understand it is hard to propagate which would be the reason.

Reading bits and pieces on Dave’s Garden, I had no idea they could climb so high, up to 5M. That would be an arresting sight. I was also surprised to see that the plant can be propagated by cuttings. I’ve had no success with that but might now have another bash. I’d love to get one climbing as per the suggestion of the trunk of a Trachycarpus! If I could get some to root, I’d happily post over to you.

PS Some lovely images of it also on Strange Wonderful Things.

[MartinNicklin]

Just been looking into the likelihood of being able to send a live plant to Canada and it seems that like us you too have a zero tolerance of receiving posted plants. It’s a pity because I’ve just been to look at my Philesia which has been potted up for a year or two. I then went to the spot I excavated it from and found this:



!!!

[Glen in BC]

Haha Martin...how often has that been the case, that the carefully tended seedpot comes up empty while random volunteers are found happily growing away with our total neglect!

I'll see if I can track down your suggested references...lapageria is a hopeless cause in the ground for me here, but a hardier relative like the philesia might stand some chance ;)

[charlie]

I wouldn't write off your chances with lapageria Glen you are further south than us! Let me know if you want to have a go with seed and I will bear you in mind next time I find some, sowed a load 3 weeks ago but may have missed some pods. Sadly Philesia is very very slow from seed.

Great to see someone got white flowers from the seed I sent out, it was supposed to be white but I am never quite sure if the bees have helped!