Chinese Lantern Plant

[GardenerX]

Hello,

I was out in my yard today and I found a Chinese Lantern Plant it was growing over my septic tank so I picked it out I'm trying to keep it alive in a pot outside and I was wondering if it would be a good species for Bonsai......

here's a pic of the plant

[img]https://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii365/dragondude_2009/001-8.jpg[/img]

[rainbowgardener]

Not something I know a lot about, but they are in the same nightshade family with tomatoes and potatoes, so I think tend to grow a bit viney, which I wouldn't think is a great characteristic of bonsai. If you keep it outdoors, I think they die back in winter, which you also don't want for bonsai. I'm not sure about growing them indoors. I know people can keep tomatoes growing indoors with the proper light set up, so probably this one also.

[GardenerX]

thx rainbow

so I got it right then it is a Chinese Lantern plant, I saw it and thought that the green color was that the flower things where not fully grown or that it was shuting down for winter.......

[rainbowgardener]

I was trusting you on that... you said it was chinese lantern, so I just went from there... But yes, that's what it looks like. Here's a picture:

https://www.tradewindsfruit.com/chinese_lantern2.jpg

and here's one showing some lanterns still green:

https://www.fotosearch.com/sc/CSP242/k2428081/

I assume they turn orange when they ripen, but that's a guess, I've never grown it.

[GardenerX]

thx rainbow

[bonsaiboy]

As long as the plant becomes woody it will probably work for bonsai.

[applestar]

I've seen it mentioned as bonsai material in Japanese blogs and websites. Usually as Shohin (mini-bonsai), which seems to be popular over there. Generally referred to as a Kusamono or Nogusa (wildflower) -- These seem to be forbs as opposed to trees and shrubs.

Here's one: [img]https://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~ootake/080830iwakoketamahoozuki_11.jpg[/img]
from https://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~ootake/iwakokeyasouno2ca.html
(This one says these are from cuttings rooted 3 yrs ago)

Another from the same site: [img]https://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~ootake/060818hoozuki_11.jpg[/img]
from https://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~ootake/yasouno930bb.html
(Described as from seeds sown 2 yrs ago)

Here's another: [img]https://bonsai.cocolog-nifty.com/file1//media/img_20060725T174216609.jpg[/img]
(Described as won at the morning auction)
This one is some ways down a [url=https://bonsai.cocolog-nifty.com/file1/cat2897401/index.html]very long blog page[/url] titled "Bonsai Seller Talking to Self: Diary, Column, Musings"


First two are from a blog/website and the owner's profile describes him as having 40 yrs bonsai experience.

As an aside: In Japanese, these are usually phonetically called Hohzuki, but the original Kanji name for it is "Goblin's Lanterns". The last photo above is of species of plants that make smaller lanterns and the Kanji name for it is "Princess Goblin's Lanterns"

They look like this after frost and weather has stripped away the soft tissue of the lanterns: [img]https://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200810/01/71/f0166871_7482098.jpg[/img] From [url=https://matsumae.exblog.jp/blog.asp?iid=&acv=2008-10-01&dif=m&opt=2&srl=9245370&dte=2008-10-02+13%3A50%3A45.000]this website[/url].

I keep finding stuff to add to this post
Here's another terrific photo: [img]https://livedoor.blogimg.jp/nagayado/imgs/f/3/f3c4306a.jpg[/img]
According to [url=https://yasaibatake.livedoor.biz/archives/cat_50003245.html]THIS blog[/url], it's the *SLUGS* eating away at the lanterns that turn them into these beautiful netted creations.

[GardenerX]

WOW thx applestar I'm trying to plant this one if it doesn't work I'm going to have to buy one these are so awesome...