Lobelia (Lobelia excelsa)

Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b)

Lobelia
Lobelia excelsa


Lobelia excelsa in its natural habitat (Chile)

Thumbnail by Ursula
Chicago, IL(Zone 5b)

Ursula, Hi,


Does this plant have a very large stem coming from the soil? I mean about an 1" wide.

Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b)

Happy, these plants are HUGE. All stems are born at soil level and measure between 1.5m (5') and 3m (10'). The plant has a diameter of some 2 to 3m. Every stem produces flowers and the blooming period is quite extended. I would say the diameter of each stem is close to 1/2".

Ursula

Chicago, IL(Zone 5b)

That sounds like a plant I had last year and everyone thought it was a L. cardinalis. Mine had four fat stems coming out of one place. It finally grew to about 4' and had lovely red flowers. Thanks,

Hap

Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b)

Hap, Lobelia excelsa is a perennial. Did your plant behave like an annual? The only reason I can think of for a Lobelia excelsa to die in your climate is that it got too much water.

Ursula

Chicago, IL(Zone 5b)

Ursula,

If I did not water it every day it started to wilt......alot. The pot is still there and I am watering it sparingly. I will see what happens. Right now it looks more than dead!!!

Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b)

Hap,

The pot is probably the problem. If you have space enough, plant it in your garden and remove all the wilted stems. The plant is probably still alife and will come back.

Ursula

Chicago, IL(Zone 5b)

OK will do. Thanks for the info

Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b)

My pleasure!

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