Care of the climbing plant Solanum rantonnetii or Blue potato bush |
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The genus Solanum, family Solanaceae, comprises 1,700 species distributed throughout the planet. Some species are: Solanum rantonetii, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum jasminoides, Solanum giganteum, Solanum wendlandii, Solanum capsicastrum, Solanum crispum, Solanum pyracanthum, Solanum evening, Solanum melongena, Solanum mauritianum. Common names: Paraguay nightshade, Blue potato bush, Potato climber. This species is native to Paraguay and Argentina. They are compact climbing shrubs that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, wavy and dark green. The abundant blue-violet flowers with a yellow center bloom in summer. The fruits are yellow berries 2 cm (0.78") in diameter. They are used to cover walls, fences and pergolas or to form shrub beds. They can be grown in pots for terraces. Solanum rantonnetti needs full sun exposure and a temperate climate. They do not resist cold or frost. They prefer light, deep soils that contain abundant organic matter. Water abundantly in spring and summer so that the soil never gets dry (never waterlogging); decrease irrigation the rest of the year. They do not need pruning. Fertilize every 3 weeks in spring and summer with mineral fertilizer. They can be attacked by fungi if there is too much humidity. They are propagated in spring by seeds in the greenhouse and by cuttings in late summer. |
Images of the climbing plant Solanum rantonnetii or Blue potato bush |
 Solanum rantonetii  Solanum rantonetii  Solanum rantonetii  Solanum rantonetii |