The Chinese Lantern is a member of the Nightshade Family (Solanaceae) just like: Potato, Pineapple Cherry, Antruwa, Eggplant, Henbane, Chinese Goat's Thorn, Thorn Apple, Nightshade, Paprika, Pepper, Pepino, Tobacco Plant, Tamarillo, Tomato, Wolfsbane and Victory Herb. The majority of this family consists of herbaceous plants and small shrubs. This family also contains many poisonous plants such as: Black Nightshade, Dolapple, Thorn Apple and Wolfsbane (Belladonna). The substances in these plants that are poisonous are neurotoxic alkaloids such as atropine and nicotine. These substances can affect the nervous system of humans and many animal species. The Dutch name Lampionplant is due to its special, balloon-like fruits. They are false fruits that are very noticeable in August and September because of their bright red - orange color. The fruits are beautifully shaped and look a bit like a lantern. The real flowering of the plant takes place in June and July. The plant then blooms with small inconspicuous, creamy white flowers that are very typical for the Nightshade family. The plant grows to about 80 cm high. This hardy plant is best placed in a sheltered, sunny spot with somewhat moist soil. It originates from Mexico. The Chinese Lantern is an attractive, unusual and beautiful plant with funny balloon-shaped fruits. Both the leaves, the stems and the flower buds are covered with very large, sharp spines. The seeds of this plant are dark brown with a white heart. The Chinese Lantern is also called Winter Cherry, Strawberry groundcherry and Ground Cherry
The Chinese Lantern also has various medicinal applications. It is used for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and anti-itching properties. It also helps improve digestion and against liver complaints. It can also be used as a blood purifier and to relieve menstrual cramps. The Indians in America wore the seeds of this plant as a bracelet to protect against snake bites. This plant can be used well against fences, fences, bars, pergolas and trellises. Although the Chinese Lantern is very invasive in the tropics, it can be grown in our climate (the Netherlands). The Chinese Lantern has a great decorative value. Use the balloon-shaped fruits in, for example, flower arrangements, bouquets, dried bouquets and as decoration on the garden table. The Chinese Lantern is very popular with bees and other useful insects. This plant blooms from July till September. Non hardy perennial. Height: 80 - 100 cm.
Stratification: 14 days
Pre-soaking: 24 hours
Indoor sowing: March - May
Outdoor sowing: May - July
Germination: 14 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 20 - 23 ºC
Sowing depth: shallow - ½ cm
Planting distance: 50 - 60 cm
Plant position: sunny - sheltered
Flowering period: June - September
Harvesting period seeds: August - October
To shorten the germination period. You can stratify the seeds of the Chinese Lantern Plant. This means that the seeds undergo a cold period. Place the seeds in the packaging in the refrigerator for 14 days. Then let the seeds slowly come to room temperature. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before sowing. The seeds can be pre-sown indoors for faster flowering. Sow the seeds indoors from March in trays filled with well-moistened seed compost. Sow thinly and superficially. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Keep well-moistened and maintain as even a temperature as possible. The temperature should be at least 20 ºC. Cover the trays with a lid to keep the moisture inside. Remove the lid, when the seedlings emerge. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be potted on into separate pots. Harden off the young plants in early May, as soon as there is no longer a chance of night frost, by placing them outside during the day for 10 - 14 days. After this they can be placed in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Keep a distance of 45 - 60 cm.
Sow the seeds outdoors from May, in a pre-prepared seedbed, as soon as there is no more risk of night frost. Sow the seeds superficially and cover them with a very thin layer of soil. Sow in a very sunny, well pre-fertilised, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. The temperature should be at least 20 ºC, but warmer is better. Don't let the temperature drop, especially at night. Keep moist and weed-free. After about 14 - 21 days the first seeds should germinate. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be put in a permanent place from October - November. The Chinese lantern plant is a perennial, which in our Dutch climate is always grown as an annual. The plant disappears in the winter, to come back in the spring. This plant is known as a rampant, it can completely overgrow less strong plants. The plant disappears in the winter, it comes back the following spring. Very suitable for the natural garden, wild garden, bee and butterfly garden and for all kinds of other gardens. These plants flower from June till September, if the faded flowers are regularly removed. The seeds can be harvested from August till October.
