This plant is a hardy perennial that provides colorful fall interest. They have small white bell-shaped flowers that appear in summer. Chinese lantern is a plant that is easy to grow and perfect in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Look at these How to Grow and Care for Chinese Lantern. Check it out!
The information
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Chinese lantern is a fast-growing plant that can reach maturity and bloom in its first season. Get careful with this plant about the location to grow them. It is because they can overrun your garden area and even sprout into turfgrass.
Grow in containers to keep them from spreading to other areas. Native to Europe and Asia, Chinese lanterns can survive in 3-9 zones (USDA). This plant is also toxic to people and pets.
Light, soil, and water
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Placed Chinese Lantern in the area with full sun, but tolerate part sun for best growth. But in warm climates, you can put them in an area with partial shade.
Chinese lanterns prefer to grow in average, consistently moist, and well-draining soil of neutral pH between 6.6 and 7.3. Get regular watering of this plant to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Temperature, humidity, and fertilizer
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Tolerate to cooler temperatures, Chinese lanterns must avoid frost because it can make them die in winter. It’s okay about the humidity. The seeds will germinate when the temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees F.
Get feed Chinese lanterns in spring after new growth appears with a light application of balanced fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can stimulate fast growth rates, which may encourage root rot as well as uncontrolled spreading.
Harvesting the Chinese Lantern
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The pods of Chinese Lantern that have a pumpkin look are sometimes used for Halloween crafts and others. When the pods get mature with the orange to reddish-orange color, it’s time to harvest.
You can cut off a stem with pods and strip off the leaves. Suspend the whole stem upside down in a dark to dry the pods. It needs a few weeks to complete the drying.
Propagating
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Propagation is the way to control Chinese lanterns from uncontrollably growing. It’s because this plant is such a vigorous grower. Follow these steps to propagate Chinese lantern:
During spring, lift the entire plant out of the ground with a shovel.
Divide them into smaller sections with pruners.
Then, plant the sections in a new location. Keep well watered until new growth.
Growing from seeds
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Growing Chinese lantern from seed is a good way, although if you have a small space at home.
If you want to grow a Chinese lantern outdoors, just sow seeds in late spring across the soil, barely covering them with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist and seedlings will emerge in 14 to 21 days.
And for the indoor area, you can begin seedling trays 6 to 8 weeks before the last projected frost date. Put this plant in a sunny location and keep in moist seeds until they sprout.
Pests and diseases
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Chinese lanterns are also prone to several insect pests. And it will make this plant will get sick and become riddled with holes. You can use neem oil or insect soap spray to offend pests.
Various bacterial and fungal diseases can attack plants, and overcrowding can promote the spread of these diseases. Cut any diseased foliage to prevent the spread of the disease.
