In a previous article, I discussed a simple method by which you can make markings on the branches of a bougainvillea plant. That method is a tip to pre-label marcots or air-layers. In that article, marcots were made on two bougainvillea plants growing in a single pot. The reason why pre-labelling is done is to correctly identify the marcots especially when it's time to harvest them.
In this article, I'll discuss an even simpler method to mark the branches of any medium-sized garden plant. "Marking" in this context is for the purpose of being able to identify a particular branch after some time. I'll be using a garlic vine (Mansoa alliacea) instead of a bougainvillea to demonstrate the technique.
Showing posts with label Garlic Vine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garlic Vine. Show all posts
Techniques for Tidying Flowering Vines on the Front Fence
There's a gardener's saying that goes like this: “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap”.
The first season after you plant a vine, it may appear to be asleep above ground. Rest assured though that below ground their roots are very much awake. And they are growing larger and spreading throughout the bed in search of nutrients.
The second year, the year they creep, you will see additional growth above ground. This is because the roots are larger and can support a larger plant. Then, in the third year, when their roots are fully formed, the vine will seem to leap, assuming a fully mature size.
The first season after you plant a vine, it may appear to be asleep above ground. Rest assured though that below ground their roots are very much awake. And they are growing larger and spreading throughout the bed in search of nutrients.
The second year, the year they creep, you will see additional growth above ground. This is because the roots are larger and can support a larger plant. Then, in the third year, when their roots are fully formed, the vine will seem to leap, assuming a fully mature size.
Waves of Flowering in the Garlic Vine (Mansoa Alliacea)
"Beautiful!" is all what my neighbors could mutter as they pass by our house and see the flower clusters of Garlic Vine (Mansoa Alliacea) cascading down the front fence. This year, the masses of flowers was truly exceptional. And what's nice about this is that there have been three waves of flowering since last month!
Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea, Cydista aequinoctialis)
The Garlic vine, also called Ajos Sacha, is a woody, flowering climber that is often featured in tropical garden books. A member of the Bignoniaceae family, known via a range of synonymous botanical names but best referred to as Mansoa hymenaea.
This flowering vine is native to tropical South America, from Mexico to Brazil. In Costa Rica, it can be found growing from sea level to 900 m in elevation. Interestingly, it is not related to the common edible onion or garlic at all!
This flowering vine is native to tropical South America, from Mexico to Brazil. In Costa Rica, it can be found growing from sea level to 900 m in elevation. Interestingly, it is not related to the common edible onion or garlic at all!
Best Location for the Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea) - Part 2
Moving all three garlic vines (my own 2 vines and the mall-bought plant) to the front wall of the house was a good idea, I concluded. The Princess vine at the side wall has become bigger and thicker that its branches were entangling with the garlic vines'.
It was a mess, to say the least. Training the branches of both vines to keep them apart has become so tedious that I was already contented just whacking and pruning them away to keep the wall neat.
Also, this front wall of the house gets afternoon sunlight year round. Compare that to the old side wall where the vines only had sunlight in the summer months.
It was a mess, to say the least. Training the branches of both vines to keep them apart has become so tedious that I was already contented just whacking and pruning them away to keep the wall neat.
Also, this front wall of the house gets afternoon sunlight year round. Compare that to the old side wall where the vines only had sunlight in the summer months.
Best Location for the Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea)
This article documents that journey.
In late 2009, we already had seedlings of the Garlic Vine growing in small seedling bags in the garden. These were very easy to root from cuttings. They're hardy and grow quickly. They grew to about four feet but didn't yield flowers. This, in spite that they looked quite healthy. I've researched on the internet on its requirements for flowering.
