{"product_id":"100-graines-de-lanterne-chinoise-physalis-alkekengi-franchetii","title":"100 Chinese Lantern Seeds (Physalis alkekengi franchetii)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhysalis alkekengi\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003efranchetii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChinese lantern, winter cherry, bladder cherry: not to be confused with the Cape gooseberry, which is grown for its sweet fruit. Here, the star is the calyx: as it ripens, it swells and turns bright orange, forming those translucent lanterns that light up the garden in autumn and make the most beautiful dried bouquets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpectacular lanterns:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright orange, lantern-shaped calyces, highly decorative from September until the first frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy perennial:\u003c\/strong\u003e deciduous, it regrows from its crown every spring and spreads through rhizomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery easy to grow:\u003c\/strong\u003e it adapts to almost all soil types and thrives even in pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrecautions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnly the perfectly ripe, orange, fleshy fruit is edible.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unripe green fruit, leaves, and stems contain alkaloids and must not be eaten. Keep the plant out of reach of young children, who may be attracted by its colorful lanterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts creeping rhizomes can make it invasive: restrict it to a defined area, a contained border, or a large pot if you are concerned about its spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSowing advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e ordinary, moist, and well-drained. It is truly undemanding and tolerates both alkaline and poor soils. Soil that is too rich only accentuates its spreading habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMethod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 to 6 weeks of \u003ca href=\"\/en-intl\/blogs\/le-coin-des-graines\/stratification-a-froid-graines\"\u003ecold stratification\u003c\/a\u003e significantly improves germination in this temperate-climate species. Then sow in spring, in pots or directly in the ground, lightly covering the seeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlmost none. Cut back the dry stems at the end of winter, and limit the spread of the rhizomes with an underground barrier if necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor dried bouquets, cut the stems when the lanterns are deep orange but still firm, then hang them upside down in the shade. They will keep for years without fading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits for biodiversity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts inconspicuous flowers are visited by bees in summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts lanterns, if left in place, add structure to the winter garden and shelter small insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimarily ornamental: flower beds, contained borders, container plantings, and especially dried bouquets, where it is indispensable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts fully ripe fruit is very acidic and considerably less tasty than that of the \u003ca href=\"\/en-intl\/products\/100-graines-de-physalis-jardins-potager-fruits-semences-paysannes\"\u003eCape gooseberry\u003c\/a\u003e, which is preferable if you are looking for fruit to eat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting your own seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrush a few fully ripe fruits in a little water, leave them to ferment for two days, then rinse them: the healthy seeds will sink to the bottom. Dry them before storing. The plant also spreads very effectively on its own through its rhizomes. See \u003ca href=\"\/en-intl\/blogs\/le-coin-des-graines\/conserver-ses-graines\"\u003esaving your seeds\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommitment to Quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for all living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Auvergne Volcanoes, we choose open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, carefully sorted and packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrighten up your autumn and dried bouquets with these Chinese lantern seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SemiSauvage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48866931802445,"sku":"3760335362309","price":4.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1658\/2477\/files\/14-FB_21_11zon.webp?v=1722363293","url":"https:\/\/semisauvage.com\/en-intl\/products\/100-graines-de-lanterne-chinoise-physalis-alkekengi-franchetii","provider":"SemiSauvage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}