Lobelia (Lobelia excelsa)

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Ursula Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b) Jan 08, 2007

Lobelia
Lobelia excelsa

Lobelia excelsa in its natural habitat (Chile)

Post #3063971

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Happy_1 Chicago, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 10, 2007

Ursula, Hi,

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

Post #3072266

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Ursula Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b) Jan 10, 2007

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

Post #3072492

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Happy_1 Chicago, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 11, 2007

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

Post #3074242

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Ursula Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b) Jan 11, 2007

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

Post #3074782

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Happy_1 Chicago, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 11, 2007

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!!!

Post #3075380

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Ursula Santiago, Chile(Zone 9b) Jan 11, 2007

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