Shoo-Fly Plant is also known as Apple of Peru and Peruvian Bluebell. It is an important natural combatant for whitefly in greenhouses, for example. This plant and its flowers give off a certain odour that is unpleasant to flies, causing them to flee. This non hardy perennial is usually grown as an annual in our climate (the Netherlands). Shoo-Fly Plant is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), just like tomatoes, aubergines, potatoes, peppers and black nightshade. This plant originates from South America. It is an attractive flowering plant with bell-shaped, lavender-coloured flowers with a white centre. After the flowers have bloomed, green lanterns form from the sepals, which turn black after a while. These lanterns contain spherical brown berries that contain the seeds of this plant.
The individual flowers bloom for one day each, but removing the dead flowers can extend the flowering period. Shoo-Fly Plant can be used in greenhouses to combat whitefly. This plant self-seeds very easily and is therefore also very suitable for use in a natural garden. Very popular plant with bees, bumblebees and other beneficial insects. The branches with seed pods can be dried for use in dried bouquets. Non hardy perennial. Height: 90 – 150 cm. Please note: every part of this plant is poisonous!
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 14 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 24 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 2 mm
Planting distance: 60 - 90 cm
Planting position: sunny - half shade
Flowering period: June - October
Sow indoors in trays filled with moistened sowing soil from March onwards. Sow superficially and press the seeds gently into the soil. The Shoo-Fly Plant is a light germinator. Place the trays in a warm room or propagator. Keep the temperature as constant as possible between 18 and 24 °C. A higher germination temperature usually results in faster germination. Don't allow the temperature to drop at night. Cover the trays with a lid or cling film to retain moisture.
Remove the cling film or lid as soon as the seedlings emerge. Transplant the young seedlings into separate pots, After 10 - 14 days. Harden off the plants from the beginning of May by placing them outside in the sun for about 10 - 14 days during the day. After this period, the plants can be placed outside in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil and possibly some shade. Maintain a planting distance of 60 - 90 cm. Keep the plants moist but not too wet. Don't let the plants dry out.
Sow outdoors from mid-May, once there is no longer any risk of night frost. Sow shallowly and cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil or press the seeds gently into the soil. Ensure a sunny, sheltered location with well-drained soil and some shade if necessary. Maintain a planting distance of 60 - 90 cm. Water the plants regularly and don't allow them to dry out. Remove dead flowers regularly so that the plants continue to flower for longer. This attractive plant can easily self-seed. It is an important natural combatant of whitefly in greenhouses, for example. This plant and its flowers give off a certain odour that is unpleasant to flies, causing them to flee. Please note: every part of this plant is poisonous.
