Ceropegia Wood - home care

Tseropegeya belongs to the genus Lastovnevye, it is not so common in nature (can only be seen in tropical forests). The name comes from Greek, translated into Russian means "candelabrum" (an unusual type of liana). The family includes more than 180 species, some of which are actively cultivated by flower growers.

Woods

Wood's ceropegia (or, as it is also called, Woody's ceropegia) has tuberous roots of gray color, which often surprise beginning gardeners with their similarity to potato tubers, and purple creeping stems.

Flower appearance

It has dense fleshy foliage 15 mm wide and 20 long, usually having a triangular or ovoid shape. On the one hand, the leaves have a marble pattern, and on the other, greenish or purple.

With increased humidity, roots appear on the tubers of the plant, which are subsequently used to multiply ceropegia. Wood's ceropegia is also notable for its small but very beautiful flowers with a light corpulent whisk and dark brown petals. They bloom throughout the year with proper care.

All ceropegia require the same care without frills, which is why flower growers love them so much.

Wood Variety

Variability

All species belonging to the genus Ceropegia are variegated. This means that in the leaves there are mutated cells that are not able to synthesize chlorophyll. For this reason, white spots appear on the stems and leaves (where these cells are located). Most variability is observed in Wood's ceropegia, which, as already noted, has an unusual color.

Sanderson's Ceropegia

The stems of this species are usually long and thin, softly creeping along the surface, and the leaves are soft, fleshy about 40 mm wide and 50 mm long. In shape they resemble a heart. On the seamy side of the leaf plate, a convex central vein can be observed. Short inflorescences are also present. The green corolla, which in the area of ​​the pharynx, acquires a lighter color, reaches a length of 70 mm.

Sanderson's ceropegia is recommended to be grown on supporting structures, since the stems of the plant will braid it like a long green snake. To create a support, it is worth using special ladders or tree branches.

Ampliata

Ceropegia Amplata is a climbing plant with completely bare shoots. This species has small scaly leaves that fall off rather quickly. The corolla tube looks like a white-green tiara because of its shape. These are the five petals of the perianth, whose tips are fused together.

Ampliat View

Linearis

Many people who are professionally engaged in floriculture note that the species of ceropegia Linearis is very similar to Wood's ceropegia. At the first glance at the plants, one can observe almost identical long and thin shoots that encircle the support, and shiny leaves that resemble the heart in shape. An important difference is the lack of light spots on the stems and leaf plate in the ceropegia Linearis.

Ceropegia: home care

It is believed that all species belonging to the genus Ceropegia are quite simple to grow, and they are not picky in care, and therefore they are recommended to beginner growers.

Watering

The plant should not be watered too often and abundantly. Ceropegia is a vine, and therefore very susceptible to root rot. To avoid problems, you should carefully monitor the water balance of the plant. In summer, it is worth watering when the top layer of the soil dries out (not earlier!), And in autumn and winter you should not allow a plentiful amount of moisture (in the cold season, it is optimal to water once every 1.5-3 weeks).

It is better to use soft water for creepers, as many experienced flower growers recommend, well-maintained and warm. It is also important sometimes to wipe the leaves with a sponge to rinse off the dust.

Watering a flower

Important:

• every few years, it is imperative to renew the plant - remove old elongated shoots;
• ceropegia should always have good support, which will not allow the plant to become too tangled (this can cause a lot of problems when transporting the vine).

Climate

All year round 12 hours of daylight are required. However, it is worth noting that these should not be direct rays (creepers always grow in the shade of other trees). The best option would be to choose an east or west window.

It is also important to know that this flower is thermophilic. In the room in which the plant is located, it is worth maintaining a temperature of 21 ° C to 25 ° C. However, in autumn and winter, a temperature of 15 ° C is permissible, so that the plant hibernates, slows the growth and development of shoots.

The soil

In order for the plant to grow well at home, you need to properly prepare the soil for it. Important components of the earthen mixture to be taken in equal parts:

• humus;
• two types of land (turf and leaf);
• river sand (do not take fine);
• fine charcoal;
• pine bark;
• brick crumb.

Soil option

It is advisable to take the pot so that there does not accumulate water (easier to care for) left after watering the plant. The drainage height should be a quarter of the total volume of the vessel.

Plant transportation, reproduction

The most important rule is to change the pot for a young flower once a year, and for a mature one in a few years. When transporting lianas, in no case can the roots be damaged, and therefore usually several people are involved in this at once.

Here are some ways to propagate a plant:

• stalk (most often used in floriculture);
• root division;
• seeds.

Ceropegia is an amazing plant that is unpretentious and suitable for any beginner grower or a simple layman who wants to decorate his house with exotic flowers.