Potato Tree
I know a tree. It is called the ‘Potato Tree’.
The leaves, flowers and fruits of Solanum wrightii are catchy to eyes. The lobe shaped leaves are unique in comparison to most typical leaves. The flowers are in colour of pale blue, blue and violet. And its fruits are likened to potatoes.
As I am in the line of tree care, I’m also quite particular about maintenance. For a fact, the tree looks very untidy and unkempt in its natural shape. Hence, it requires formative pruning to bring forth its form and shape. Selective pruning to thin its crown would stabilize the tree from slanting because of its heavy crown.
Ha. Enough of work
Hannah Chua
E Hong said,
May 4, 2008 @ 12:20 am
Your article on Potato Tree interests me.I need advice to choose a suitable tree, one that can block the view from the new condo across the street into our house. The tree should be fast growing, so it can reach enough height to block the view into our second storey bedroom. However we do not want a large tree as our garden is small. I guess I need a small tree that can grow tall but not grow large, and preferably with flowers. Is the potato tree suitable? Is it possible to get one that’s already say 3, 4 meters high, and from where? Any advice or suggestion will be much appreciated.
JoAnn said,
May 7, 2008 @ 10:47 am
I have searched everywhere for a blue potato tree.
Can anyone please tell me where I can find one?
LYNN said,
May 10, 2008 @ 11:09 am
I WAS JUST IN FLORIDA AND I SAW A POTATOE TREE AT EPCOT. COULD YOU TELL ME WHERE I MAY FIND ONE OF THESE? HOW DO YOU THINK THEY WILL LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER?
hannah chua said,
May 12, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Hi, E Hong & JoAnn
S. wrightii is suitable for small gardens. It is easily available from Malaysian nursery. You may be able to put an order with local nursery for this tree sapling at about 3 m height.
However, this tree establishes itself very qucikly. So you may want to plant one that is betweem 1.5 m to 2.0 m height.
Hi, Lynn
I do not know much about the weather in South Carolina. The tree is from Peru. If you can describe the seasons, soil texture and the amount of sunlights received in your area, it maybe easier for me to gauze.
The S. wrightii requires bright sunlight to very light shade and water to grow. It seems to prefers well-drained soil from those that I planted.
Shannon said,
May 17, 2008 @ 6:10 am
I saw the same blue potato trees at Epcot…and I WANT ONE! What an beatiful and interesting addition to a landscape design. I live in Florida, west central Gulf Coast. Winters are mild but can dip into a freeze, summers are hot and humid. Soil is sandy and drains too well. Any chance of the tree growing here?
Mike said,
May 28, 2008 @ 5:49 am
I also saw this tree (Blue Potato Tree - solanum wrightii) at EPCOT, and absolutely love it! I have found some information. It is not cold tolerant, it apparently will do okay in partial sun, but also likes full sun, and it does not like its roots to dry out so it needs moisture in hot, dry weather and mulch is probably a pretty good idea. It grows to about 15-20 feet tall and has a relatively short lifespan for a tree of around 10-12 years. There is apparently a nursery in Davie, Florida - Jesse Durko’s - that has these plants and must be others, but I haven’t located them as of yet! I am in Tampa, and they appear to be capable of florishing here, though you may need to cover them or protect them in some way in cases of very cold weather. If anyone else finds any closer to here, please post as well. Thanks.
kingbat said,
June 26, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
i found a blue patatoe tree in home depot in mcallen,tx. i have it in my yard. its has been blooming for ever.do you get more of these tree by cuttings?