Nightshade Orfei

Ornamental Solanum 'Orpheus' – a compact shrub reaching a height of up to 1.5 m and a width of approximately 0.8–1 m. Leaves are light green, oval, 3–5 cm long, located on short petioles. Flowers are white, small (up to 1 cm), single or gathered in small inflorescences, appearing 70 days after seedling emergence.

After flowering, the plant begins to form bright red fruits – round, glossy berries with a diameter of about 1.5–2 cm. They remain on the bush until New Year and even longer, creating a festive look. The fruits are decorative but inedible; they can cause poisoning upon contact with children.

'Orpheus' is a light-loving and heat-loving plant. Successful cultivation requires regular watering in summer and moderate moisture in winter. Seeds are sown in mid-February when soil temperature reaches 21 °C; the soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of leaf soil, turf soil, manure, peat, and sand. It is recommended to use the plant as indoor decorative food for offices, lobbies, winter gardens, as well as in open ground after the threat of frost ends. Feedings are conducted every two weeks, and when the cold period arrives, the plant is moved indoors.

'Orpheus' is easily grown both in greenhouses and outdoors, thanks to high productivity and disease resistance. With proper care, the bush retains fruit brightness and an attractive appearance year-round.