Kangaroo Apple (Solanum laciniatum)

[piechnik99]

Silly question - how do you know the fruit is ripe? Also, I read somewhere the top growth dies back but the root is hardy (if mulched?)

[paulrm71]

Here's a pic of one of mine, it's even bigger now

[Blairs]

Silly question - how do you know the fruit is ripe? Also, I read somewhere the top growth dies back but the root is hardy (if mulched?)

The fruits go orange or yellow when ripe.

I do not think that a mulch would work: but I will try this year and see if it is root hardy or not. I have a few plants, so I will try leaving where is mulched, by a wall mulched and a pot in a coldframe mulched so a variety of options to experiment with.

[DaveP]

Silly question - how do you know the fruit is ripe? Also, I read somewhere the top growth dies back but the root is hardy (if mulched?)

The fruits turn a rather pleasant clear yellow when ripe and in profusion, are almost as attractive as the flowers. I've not grown it up in the Midlands, but I very much doubt that it is root hardy unless given a truly thick mulch to keep surrounding soil temps well above freezing.

[piechnik99]

[/quote]The fruits go orange or yellow when ripe.

I do not think that a mulch would work: but I will try this year and see if it is root hardy or not. I have a few plants, so I will try leaving where is mulched, by a wall mulched and a pot in a coldframe mulched so a variety of options to experiment with.[/quote]

Yeah, I was thinking of doing the same..... I take the seeds are only viable when the seed pods are ripe - once the plants are frosted I take it the seeds pods won't ripen further?

[piechnik99]

The fruits turn a rather pleasant clear yellow when ripe and in profusion, are almost as attractive as the flowers. I've not grown it up in the Midlands, but I very much doubt that it is root hardy unless given a truly thick mulch to keep surrounding soil temps well above freezing.

Yeah, it does get pretty cold up here - about 200 metres above sea level. As mentioned earlier in the thread I might try to dig a few up and over winter in the greenhouse. Worth a try?

[Kristen]

I take the seeds are only viable when the seed pods are ripe - once the plants are frosted I take it the seeds pods won't ripen further?

I've collected plenty, if your seeds don't ripen in time.

[piechnik99]

I've collected plenty, if your seeds don't ripen in time.

Thats very good of you! I'll let you know how I get on.... I dug a few out yesterday and put them in the greenhouse - not sure if they'll make it through but at least i'll get a head start next spring (hopefully!)

[cheshirepalms]

I cut all the ripe fruit off mine as highly poisonous to stupid dogs, but its still ripening, losing leaves though.

[Mark L]

Paulrm71, is that from one of the ones I gave you last year? I have had hundreds of them coming up everywhere this year from all the dropped fruits last year!

[Kristen]

I cut all the ripe fruit off mine as highly poisonous to stupid dogs,

I find that odd, as the berries are glutinous (which I presume is a substance to induce dormancy in the seed - assumption based on that being the case in other genus), strikes me that its a failure of evolution? Surely it would be better for animals to eat the fruits and disperse them ... or maybe the seed germinate best in rotting flesh? <Yuck!>. All "fruits" on Solanum poisonous (e.g. spuds) except for Tomatoes - wonder why they, too, aren't poisonous? Minefield for kids as plant & fruit of Solanum look Tomato-like - maybe that's what's confused your dogs too?

Even Yew have palatable flesh berries surrounding their, poisonous, seeds.

[paulrm71]

Mark l, yes these are seeds from the original plants you gave me....they are certainly border fillers!! Only had a couple of self seeded ones this year.

[Lys]

I cut all the ripe fruit off mine as highly poisonous to stupid dogs,

I find that odd, as the berries are glutinous (which I presume is a substance to induce dormancy in the seed - assumption based on that being the case in other genus), strikes me that its a failure of evolution? Surely it would be better for animals to eat the fruits and disperse them ... or maybe the seed germinate best in rotting flesh? <Yuck!>. All "fruits" on Solanum poisonous (e.g. spuds) except for Tomatoes - wonder why they, too, aren't poisonous? Minefield for kids as plant & fruit of Solanum look Tomato-like - maybe that's what's confused your dogs too?

Even Yew have palatable flesh berries surrounding their, poisonous, seeds.

Looks lovely I'll try growing it this year too. Found some info on Chiltern seeds:

These are followed by small, orange, egg-shaped fruits which were used to make jam by the early settlers in its native New Zealand.

I don't think I'll use it in my sarnies though!

[Blairs]

Do not think I would eat the ones on my plants Lys - maybe NZ has more sun.

Mine are still going strong. The large leaves are somewhat battered by the winds. The foliage took some frost, so hardier than I gave them credit for and the stem is getting thick, around 4 inches. I wanted them to die as they are in the wrong place (at front of a border and not is full sun) but if they survive till spring then I will shift them then. My seed pods are still mostly green with a hint of yellow.

[Arlon Tishmarsh]

Mine is the lance shaped leaf variety as per Chesirepalms pic and not the lobed leaf variety. I use it as a climber over a pergola and its currently about 10ft + high, still in leaf and seems very hardy having come thru the "narnia"winter with no issues. I like it as it flowers profusely and over a very long period and provides good shade for the underlying ferns and shady plants.