Blue Potato Bush

I found this at a bigbox store recently. They call it the Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii). Though unrelated to the potato (Solanum tuberosum), their flowers resemble one another. From what I've read, all parts are poisonous, and it does well in hotter climates.

I know it's late in our season for a repot, but it was completely root bound, and barely any soil was in it's original pot. It seems to respond well to cuts, and it grows very fast. It doesn't seem to be a very popular subject with bonsai. I've only found another forum that talks about them, but the information is limited.

Sort of box-woodish in bark and roots. Almost looks like a morning glory flower. Interesting.

And here it is a year later. They are fun shrubs to work with. Since it is an overlooked plant, the odds of finding one with a large trunk is very slim. I think it will still do okay as a mame size. I still like it though. Does well in hot climates, has very fast growth, and backbuds easily.

That one intrigues me...might have to research more...and learn also from you. May have to put on a possibly list...right now...other than a magnolia (I know an informal bonsai itself) nothing else is on my list...other than...a high dollar bougainvillea one day.

EDIT: Most plants don't go into such detail as to the effects as this one. That it sort of frightens me...with a dog overcoming leaf nipping. This was taken out of my book called..."Poisonous Plants second edition...a handbook for doctors,pharmacists,toxicologists,biologists and veterinarians"

So maybe not. It is highly toxic. It's part of the nightshade family...which in my toxic plants is also known as deadly nightshade. That is in the first sentence...those sort of things worry me. (Leaf nipper dog...getting better...but to risky) it effects salivary,sweat,and bronchial glands...as well as inhibition of the gastrointestinal motility;relaxation of hollow organs such as the gall and urinary bladders and the uterus. Besides these peripheral actions, which in Essence are brought about only by the L forms of these compounds,there are varied effects on the cerebral cortex (henbane,northern bilberry,deadly nightshade) scopolamine even in small doses is motor depressant and at higher doses produces twilight sleep.

PlantFiles: Blue Potato Bush, Paraguay Nightshade, Blue Lycianthes
Lycianthes rantonnei



Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31441/#ixzz37alOYcke

Still came back to admire the blooms. I will enjoy watching what you do with this tree. a great little pick up.

Just curious, but where do you keep your trees? On stands, benches, etc? If I every had a leaf nibbling dog, I would want to keep my trees out of it's reach. That especially goes for any prized or expensive specimens.

Intriguedbybonsai said:

Just curious, but where do you keep your trees? On stands, benches, etc? If I every had a leaf nibbling dog, I would want to keep my trees out of it's reach. That especially goes for any prized or expensive specimens.

Click to expand...

I do keep them up...the chances of the dog ever bothering is slim to none. But, it just wigs me out having extremely toxic trees. Though...I do have no dog zones...and toxic plants there. And one very toxic cherry in the dog friendly zone...planted in the hardscape which the dog is trained is not to walk in. So safe...

Just when the toxic plant book goes on about the dangers extended on some...I tend to steer clear of them.

The Aussie has not nipped a cone flower leaf...she goes to...then stops herself without correction. So I seriously doubt a tree like this would be an issue. But, I do know ones who have posted about their dog eating trimmings when pruning...or...that the dog pruned the tree of it's own accord. Just wasn't sure where you keep yours. And thought to give you a bit of caution with this particular tree. It is amazingly beautiful in bloom!

Cadillactaste said:

That one intrigues me...might have to research more...and learn also from you. May have to put on a possibly list...right now...other than a magnolia (I know an informal bonsai itself) nothing else is on my list...other than...a high dollar bougainvillea one day.

EDIT: Most plants don't go into such detail as to the effects as this one. That it sort of frightens me...with a dog overcoming leaf nipping. This was taken out of my book called..."Poisonous Plants second edition...a handbook for doctors,pharmacists,toxicologists,biologists and veterinarians"

So maybe not. It is highly toxic. It's part of the nightshade family...which in my toxic plants is also known as deadly nightshade. That is in the first sentence...those sort of things worry me. (Leaf nipper dog...getting better...but to risky) it effects salivary,sweat,and bronchial glands...as well as inhibition of the gastrointestinal motility;relaxation of hollow organs such as the gall and urinary bladders and the uterus. Besides these peripheral actions, which in Essence are brought about only by the L forms of these compounds,there are varied effects on the cerebral cortex (henbane,northern bilberry,deadly nightshade) scopolamine even in small doses is motor depressant and at higher doses produces twilight sleep.

PlantFiles: Blue Potato Bush, Paraguay Nightshade, Blue Lycianthes
Lycianthes rantonnei



Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31441/#ixzz37alOYcke

Click to expand...

I could use some of that!

@Cadillactaste...
The Aussie has not nipped a cone flower leaf...she goes to...then stops herself without correction. So I seriously doubt a tree like this would be an issue. But, I do know ones who have posted about their dog eating trimmings when pruning...or...that the dog pruned the tree of it's own accord. Just wasn't sure where you keep yours.
I keep mine on my little apartment balcony. No pet dogs, or cats here. Sometimes stray raccoons and cats find their way up the building, and paw around in my fertilizer cups.

And thought to give you a bit of caution with this particular tree. It is amazingly beautiful in bloom!
I never really thought of it as being as toxic as it is. Though now that you mention it, I guess I should wash my hands after messing with it. It does have very nice blooms as you've said.

I have seen pictures of a bonsai Poison Ivy. Cute tree.

You couldn't pay me to own it.

any update on this little tree? I have a big one in the neighbor's garden peeking into my place, eyeing to layer it

Just found 3 at the plant nursery. I came home to look it up ….. and decided it might be worth it but then the shop had already closed for the day. I'll pick one up tomorrow!

It's very cool, i wouldn't have chopped so low, but im not that pro so

Purchased as is:

First pruning:

Training pot:

Nebari said:

Training pot:

Click to expand...

Do you have an idea on what form the tree will be yet?

aml1014 said:

Do you have an idea on what form the tree will be yet?

Click to expand...

Informal upright for sure. I've placed a couple of pieces of wood along the trunk and bound it up against the bamboo support stick to give it some movement – I'll try to increase those bends even more but the trunk is brittle and I'm afraid to do too much, too soon. Then I guess I'll see if I can create a few foliage pads and train the crown broad and rounded off. I think the height is ok as it is. Do you have any suggestions?

Two very nice ones from the Internet:



[URL='https://bonsaipatience.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/solanum-air-layer/']Solanum Air Layer:
https://bonsaipatience.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/solanum-air-layer/ [/URL]

Solanum rantonnetii:
http://www.portalbonsai.com/historico/categoria.asp?idcat=18188