5 Jun '08 6:28 am I have just transplanted a gunnera plant and appears to have a huge seed pod on it. Any suggestions??? I need help
Mark
Home gardener & plant fetishist
Berkeley, California, USA
Hello and welome.
5 Jun '08 9:02 am The flower looks sort of like a big, fleshy, red pine cone. Mine has flowered every year for the last ten years or so but never has a seedling emerged. It may be that I don't have it in boggy enough conditions to encourage seedlings.
To be successful with these guys I think you have to avoid persistant hot conditions. I've had no problem because I live near the coast and the marine influence usually prevents hot days. The last hot spell burnt all the leaves which were not in deep shade. If you think temperature may be an issue for you I'd recommend planting them in shade.
The other requirement is lots of water. I've seen it growing wild near me in the midst of a shallow stream under the cover of trees. There it has naturalized and spread itself around without any gardener's help.
I also mix chicken manure into its yearly topping of mulch out of respect for all the growth it produces each season. Unless you live in the tropics it will probably be deciduous. The recommendation is to fold the dying leaves over the growing tips of the plant each year. Unless you get snow that should be enough protection.
Good luck, they're great plants. BTW, mine is G. mannicata, the big Brazilian one. I don't know the others so well.
