Naranjilla Bed of Nails Seeds (Solanum quitoense) Lulo Quito Orange FruitDue to the High Vitamin C and Vitamin A Content, Naranjilla is Associated with Boosting the Immune System. Vitamin C and the Carotenoids Present are Antioxidants that Can Help Fight Oxidative Stress and Clear Free Radicals from Damaging the System. Fruit Quickly Appears 10 to 12 Months after Seeding & Healthy Naranjilla Plants Will Bear 100 to 150 Fruits in their First Year Alone.Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense) is considered a Very Rare Fruit Tree in this Country, and it’s True that None of your Neighbors are Likely to be Planting Naranjilla Seeds. But the Plant, with it’s Round & Juicy Fruit Resembling Oranges, is a Common Sight South of the Border. It’s a Lot of Fun to Bring Naranjilla into Your Garden, and Very Inexpensive Too, being that You Can Easily Grow Naranjilla from Seed. An Intriguing and Highly Appealing Member of the Nightshade Family, “Solanaceae”, the Naranjilla, (Solanum quitoense) is a Bright-Orange Fruit Native to Andean Countries of Columbia and Ecuador. “Lulo” is the Accepted Name in Colombia but in Panama and Ecuador this Delicious, Tangy Fruit is called Naranjilla. Lulo, Naranjilla, Quito-Orange, obando, cocona, or nuqui are Few of the Common Names of the Naranjilla Fruit. It Looks Like an Orange on the Outside and has a Tomato Like Appearance on the Inside, and the Flavor is Often Described to be More like Pineapple, Kiwi, Lime, or Rhubarb. Naranjilla is an Erect, Spreading Herbaceous Perennial that Grows and Average of 8 Feet Tall with Thick Stems that Become Somewhat Woody with Age; Spiny in the Wild, Spineless in Cultivated Plants. The Plant is Intolerant of Full Sun Exposure (No More than 4 Hours of Direct Light a Day) but Favors a Partially Semi-Shaded area. Does well when Protected from Winds and does Best in Well-Drained Rich Organic Soil, But Also has a Great Tolerance in Poor, Stony Soils as Well. It Must Have Good Drainage to Prevent Root Rot. The Stems, Leaves and Petioles of the Plant are Covered in Short Purple Hairs. Apart from their Citrusy Taste, Naranjilla is a Great Source of Nutrients, Vitamins and Minerals. Consuming Only 120 Grams of Naranjilla Offers 17.5 µg of Vitamin K, 1.74 mg of Vitamin B3, 0.128 mg of Vitamin B6, 0.9 mg of Vitamin E, 7.08 g of Carbohydrate, 0.264 mg of Vitamin B5, 0.42 mg of Iron, 240 mg of Potassium, 34 µg of Vitamin A and 0.054 mg of Vitamin B1. It’s Amazing that it is not considered a “Superfood”Zones 10-12Naranjilla Germination:1) These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, and covered thinly with sand or grit and kept moist. (Not Wet) 2) Dust seeds with a fungicide to prevent mold or fungus to keep them protected during the long germination time for most.3) A heated propagator must be used to keep soil between 75-80 degrees F to achieve germination with Naranjilla seeds. 4) As with any Tropical seeds, a few may germinate within 4 to 6 weeks, but expect most to take anywhere from 4-5 months longer so please be patient. Be sure to periodically keep moist never letting them dry out. Use a spray bottle to mist them to keep the soil from being wet and not moist. Keeping the soil wet will rot the seeds. 5) As each individual seeds sprouts, plant the seedlings out in the open ground in warmer countries, or use a large container in cooler climates.”Please Contact us First if you need Anything”