I find it wonderful to be able-bodied to grow plants in a pot because I have limited outer space in the flat . I was funny to have sex if a large plant like gunnera could be turn successfully in a pot . If that ’s your goal , you will find my research utilitarian .
Gunnera can be grow in a potbelly or container that has the correct size of it . The potting soil must have the right grain for moisture and food . You ’ll need to start with a 10 - inch pot and once the gunnera develop heavy transplant it to a bigger pot .
My research has a lot more information that will aid you moot growing gunnera in a pot near your home . Keep reading to learn more about this .
What Is Gunnera?
Gunnerais a large perennial plant that isnative to South AmericainBrazil . This plant has 45 + unlike coinage , with the most familiar being the gunnera manicata .
The plant is sometimes dub “ Dinosaur Food ” and for a good cause . It has the potential of grow to 8 ft magniloquent or more if allowed , and itsleaves can be as wide as 4 ft .
Gunnera plant bonk the Lord’s Day and water . They ’ll mostly be found in very wet expanse where other plants ’ solution tend to drown or rot from the amount of piss .
How To Grow Gunnera In A Pot
Since these industrial plant are so large , it might seem like putting them in a pot is a bad mind . However , that is n’t the case .
you may doubtlessly spring up gunnera in a pot , but some thing need to be taken care of . They have a particular environment that you ’ll need to recreate for the plant life to survive in the pot .
Starting From Seeds Takes Time
seedling of the gunnera plant life could take a long time forgermination . It can take anywhere from 14 to 90 days to germinate , so forbearance is primal .
You ’ll want to place yourdry gunnera seedsin a moist layer of coffee filter or paper towels .
grade them inside a shaping ziplock grip , and varnish it . Keep the bagful in direct sunshine ( or under a 60W light bulb when there ’s no sun ) . Do this until the seeds have spud , and do n’t let them dry out out .
Select a Big Enough Pot
As note earlier , gunnera plants can get huge when plant . This think of you ’ll need to take a large enough pot to keep your flora in . Now , they do prefer having their root liberal , and this does bring to their overall size .
keep gunnera in a pot willprevent them from growingto their fullest size of it . It ’ll also keep the leaves at varying sizes . So , this could be beneficial to you if your overall space for this plant is limited .
Plant Gunnera with Very Rich Soil
The soil needed to farm gunnera in general needs to berich and moistat all times . The ground should be extremely fertile , and it ’s vital that it remain moist . Dried out soil will kill the plant .
I would recommend using good potting soil that is assorted with compost in a 50:50 ratio . you’re able to also expend garden soil but only if that iscompost heavyorhumus - ample . You ’ll want to check that the territory does n’t get soggy . Even though gunnera like water , making the soil soggy will hurt the plant .
The ideal pH for your soil is conk out to be somewherebetween 6.1 and 6.5 . You also want to make certain that any fertilizer you use is intend for containers . If you do n’t , you risk burn the leaves .
Keep the Roots Moist
It ’s very of import that the root of the gunnera plant continue moist at all times . Gunnera loves boggy environments where most other plants ’ roots would terminate up rotting .
Despite their love of pee , they ca n’t be leave in it , or their roots will succumb to rotting as well . It ’s suggested that you keep a wide water collection looker beneath your pot . This dish should always contain piddle .
As long as the environment remains moist at all times , you wo n’t have to water your gunnera that frequently . However , it ’s very of import to remember that the ground should never be allow to dry out .
Give It Plenty of Sunlight
Gunnera plants boom in full sun or fond shade . That say , these industrial plant do n’t stomach hot or dry climates . If you live in an area like that , hold the flora in a partially sunny region is probably your best wager . Just make trusted to keep the soil moist !
In the cooler atmospheric condition and wintertime , your gunnera willprefer more tincture . It ’s believe that gunnera that spends more time in the shade will have bigger leaves . So , that is something to keep in mind when pick the best positioning for your plant .
Feed Your Gunnera Often
Gunnera is a heavy feeder , so you want to make certain you ’re yield your flora plenty of fertilizer and compost to keep it give .
When first starting , you ’ll want to check that there is fertilizer in the ground you use . Mix in some compost and constitutional materials as well . You ’ll desire to feed your gunnera doubly during the season to check that it gets enough food .
How To Maintain The Potted Gunnera Plant
Now that you get it on the proper care for a potted gunnera flora , here are a few other things to keep in mind .
Winter Preparations
Gunnera comes from a more humid environment and ca n’t handle freezing temperatures . In winter , the most important matter to protect your gunnera plant is thecrown . You ’ll also want to concentrate the frequency that you irrigate your plant .
When the atmospheric condition embark on dumbfound cooler , the leaves will wilt and die . you could habituate this to prepare your gunnera for wintertime . trim the leaves off as short as possible , close to the crown of the plant life . Once you ’ve cut short the leaves , get over the peak with them . This will keep it insulated and secure during cold , dryer weather .
Rehoming the Plant to a Bigger Environment
Even though growing gunnera in a pot is possible , you may want to count rehoming it into a wider environment . Sometimes keeping a big plant in a pot or container is hard to maintain , and rehoming the plant into a bigger space can help with the criminal maintenance .
If you have a place in your yard that has a lot of run off from a deck or other structure , you could reckon planting your gunnera plant there . They also do very well when planted near a pond or a watercourse .
Bog Gardens
Bog garden are idealistic environments for gunnera plant . You may be inquire if you may fulfil a bog garden for potted plants . The resolution is yes !
It is n’t unmanageable to create acontainer bog garden . You ’ll need a large container — some use whiskey barrels , while others have used kiddie pools . Once you ’ve chosen your container , you ’ll want to fill ⅓ of it with crushed rock , and then cover that with a 30/70 % mix of sand and peat moss .
Next , wet the garden completely . Let it sit for a week while keep it wet the entire time . Once you plant your gunnera in the bog garden , you ’ll want to keep your garden sloshed as well as keep it in a place that will get at least 5 hour of sun per day .
Definitely Not Edible!
Even though this is think a giant rhubarb , the leave and crown of the gunnera plant are not edible . Althoughthey are n’t poisonous for humans , they ’re grave to consume . Their stiff stem and leaf blades have sharp bristles that will chafe the skin .
These are meant to look courteous in your garden , and it ’s highly recommended that you do n’t eat region of a gunnera plant life .
Summary
Gunnera is an interesting plant life that will make a statement in any garden you find it in . Though it can take a little extra charge and devotion , it ’s quite possible to spring up gunnera in a pot . Just verify you keep it moist .
Fact Checked , Written , and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor , a website that direct to instruct the great unwashed to grow their own intellectual nourishment in a limited infinite . As a self - taught gardener , Kevin has spend several old age growing plants and create gardening content on the website . He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University . He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University . Read more
