Showing posts with label ornamental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ornamental. Show all posts
Intense Flowering of the Sandpaper Vine (Petrea Volubilis)
For a few days now, I've noticed that my Sandpaper Vine (Petrea volubilis) also known as Queen's Wreath has been flowering more than usual. I've had this vine for five years now and have taken interest especially on the vine's first flowering three years ago. It is only now that neighbors even took notice on the masses of flowers bloomed. Some passersby inquired on how it has flowered this way.
Purple Wreath Vine (Petrea Volubilis) Flowering
It has been two months now since I posted an article on the first ever flowering of our Sandpaper Vine also known as the Queen's Wreath Vine (Petrea volubilis).
In that article, I noted paired hairy-like new growths at the axils of the old branches. Although a bit skeptical, I was suspecting that these new growths may be the new racemes.
And I was right. They were all racemes and many of them almost a foot long now. The very first one grew to only about seven inches.
In that article, I noted paired hairy-like new growths at the axils of the old branches. Although a bit skeptical, I was suspecting that these new growths may be the new racemes.
And I was right. They were all racemes and many of them almost a foot long now. The very first one grew to only about seven inches.
Single Trunk of the Sandpaper Vine (Petrea Volubilis) - Part 3
(This is the continuation of Part 2)
Removing the guide wire at the top portion of the Sandpaper vine was not as easy as I thought. What I was seeing at the lower portion of the vine's trunk was actually the easiest part.
The top part of the main trunk appears to have been tightly wound by the guide wire as shown below.
Removing the guide wire at the top portion of the Sandpaper vine was not as easy as I thought. What I was seeing at the lower portion of the vine's trunk was actually the easiest part.
The top part of the main trunk appears to have been tightly wound by the guide wire as shown below.
Single Trunk of the Sandpaper Vine (Petrea Volubilis) - Part 2
(This is the continuation of Part 1)
In addition to the bamboo stake that props up the young Sandpaper vine, I tied a guide wire on the top end of the bamboo stake and attached it to the vine structure or trellis above it.
The guide wire, which is really a trellis starter, is a dual purpose device. First, it allows the new shoot of the vine to climb it. And second, it correctly guides the Sandpaper vine towards the vine structure or trellis above it.
In addition to the bamboo stake that props up the young Sandpaper vine, I tied a guide wire on the top end of the bamboo stake and attached it to the vine structure or trellis above it.
The guide wire, which is really a trellis starter, is a dual purpose device. First, it allows the new shoot of the vine to climb it. And second, it correctly guides the Sandpaper vine towards the vine structure or trellis above it.
Single Trunk of the Sandpaper Vine (Petrea Volubilis)
When we bought our Sandpaper Vine (Petrea Volubilis), I already had an image of it when it matures and flowers. Of course, I didn't have an exact timetable for that. But I was thinking it would be around two years.
What I envisioned would be a flowering vine that more or less resembled a small tree. It would have a main trunk that will be as vertically straight as possible. Or the trunk may be composed of a couple of very thick branches probably entwined to one another.
What I envisioned would be a flowering vine that more or less resembled a small tree. It would have a main trunk that will be as vertically straight as possible. Or the trunk may be composed of a couple of very thick branches probably entwined to one another.
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.
Changing Colors of the Rose Cactus (Pereskia Bleo) Flowers
So how does a plant's flower change in color into a deep neon pink as shown on the left in the photo below, when just 3 days ago it was bright orange as shown on the photo at the right? This plant grows in tropical countries, by the way, where there are no seasons like summer and autumn.
