Eccremocarpus

Family. Bignoniaceae.

Origin. South America.

Description. Eccremocarpus is a perennial evergreen vine that quickly entwines any vertical support with its tendrils. Stems are ribbed. The leaves are compound, consist of several lanceolate-shaped segments, green, very decorative, on short petioles. The flowers are tubular, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, up to 3 cm long, collected in inflorescences - brushes on the tops of the shoots. The colors of the flowers range from yellow, orange to pink and red. 

Height. Can reach 4 - 6 m.

Eccremocarpus - care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, the usual room temperature; during the winter dormant period, a cool room with a temperature of 5 - 10 ° C is suitable. 

Lighting

Eccremocarpus is placed in a sunny place. Direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours is necessary for the formation of flowers. The leaves of the plant look good even when kept in partial shade, but flowering may not occur.

Care

The stems of young plants need support. If the eccremocarpus grows too large, it should be pruned at the end of winter or early spring. Pruning side branches after the leaves have fallen stimulates abundant flowering. If properly formed over several years, you will get a flowering plant with very dense stems that do not need support.

Substrate

Eccremocarpus is grown in moist but well-drained soil, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH ranging from 6.1 to 7.5.

Feeding

Feed eccremocarpus 2 times a month with liquid fertilizer during the period of active growth.

Flowering time

July - October, long flowering period.

Air humidity

It is worth periodically spraying the leaves of the plant  to prevent the appearance of pests such as spider mites.

Soil moisture

Young plants are watered quite often. Adult specimens are quite drought-resistant. The frequency of watering will depend on the temperature of the content.

Transplant

Every year, in the spring, as the plant develops very quickly. 

Reproduction, growing from seeds

Semi-ripe stem cuttings, layering, root cuttings in the spring. Root in a mixture of peat and sand. Seeds sown in spring. Germination occurs within a month. When propagated vegetatively, eccremocarpus blooms at the age of 2 - 3 years, and when propagated by seeds - only after 5 - 8 years.

Pests and diseases

If there is too much moisture and there is insufficient air movement, powdery mildew can occur.

The most common insects that appear are aphids and spider mites.