How to grow Elegant Barleria

Barleria elegans

Barleria elegans grows under tropical, subtropical and relatively cold conditions and reaches maturity within two years. It can be propagated by through seed or from cuttings.
The plants require full sun to semi-shade and should be planted in sandy to loamy soils. Mix 500 g of compost with 50 g of superphosphate, working it into the soil to improve the growth of the plants. A moderate amount of water is required and these plants do rather well in the dry season, thus a perfect choice for a water-wise garden and the rehabilitation of disturbed areas. Plants are fast growing and need to be pruned back after the flowering season.

Growing Elegant barleria from seed

It grows easily from seed. Collect the fruit as soon as it turns brown, Don’t wait too long to collect otherwise the capsules will explode and the seeds will be harder to collect or lost. Sow the seeds on the surface of a good soil, compost and sand mix in a ratio of 2:1:1,, pressing them slightly into the surface. Place in 40% shade and water once a week with a fine sprinkler. Germination takes place after a week or two.

Transplanting Elegant barleria

Seedlings should be transplanted when they are about 200 mm high.
Take cuttings from partially matured wood, 60 mm long, using no. 2 hormone powder and a growing mixture of soil, compost and river sand in a ratio of 3:2:1. The ideal temperature for optimal root dev is 28º C.

How long does Elegant barleria take to grow?

These estimates for how long Elegant barleria takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Elegant barleria to germinate?: 14 days
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Days to Maturity How long until Elegant barleria is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
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Elegant barleria Etymology

The name Barleria is derived from the name of a Dominican monk and French botanist, Jacques Barrelier who lived during the 1600s. The species name elegans (Latin) means graceful. The genus consists of a group of herbs or shrubs, some producing spines and all producing fruit in the form of explosive capsules. Members of the genus occur from Japan in the far East, through southern Asia , India, Arabia, Africa, Madagascar to as far west as Central America and Mexico.

Elegant barleria Folklore & Trivia

Many species of Barleria would be wonderful additions to any warm garden. An increasing number of other species such as B. obtusa, B. greenii, B albostellata and B. repens are now also found in cultivation.

Other names for Elegant barleria

White bushveld barleria, Wit bosviooltjie (afrikaans)