Dregea

Family. Asclepiadaceae.

Origin. China.

Description. Dregea is an evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous plant, depending on the climate, very fast growing vines. The leaves are exotic, heart-shaped or ovoid, up to 10 cm long, flowers are collected in small neat umbrellas, fragrant, with a sweetish fruity aroma, intensifying in the evening, creamy white with pink, small, up to 2 cm in diameter. After flowering it forms thin long paired pods with seeds up to 7 cm long.

Height. Up to 4 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Prefers moderately warm conditions; frosts can damage or kill the plant. In winter, the temperature is reduced to 15 ° C to ensure more abundant flowering in the spring. At lower temperatures, it may partially or completely lose its leaves. 

Lighting

Bright diffused light without direct sunlight. Tolerates partial shade. 

Care

Prune long stems of drejea in the summer after flowering. Some of these climbing vines will require a trellis or other support, while others will send out aerial roots and cling to the wall on their own. They can be taken outside in the summer.

Substrate

Well drained and nutritious.

Feeding

Every week during the period of active growth, apply fertilizer at half the concentration.

Flowering time

April May June. 

Air humidity

Spray periodically.

Soil moisture

Water frequently and abundantly during the growing season; reduce watering in winter.

Transplant

Every spring in larger pots. 

Reproduction

Seeds that retain their germination for up to a year, but it is better to sow them as early as possible - in this case, the germination will reach 100%, after 3-6 months - only 25-50%. This species can be propagated by cuttings, preferably in the spring. Each cutting should have two nodes - one for the formation of roots and one for new growth.

Pests and diseases

Virtually none, sometimes spider mites, aphids and scale insects appear.