Lapageria

Family. Philesiaceae.

Origin. Chile.

Description. Lapageria are evergreen vines that can reach 20 meters in length in nature. The leaves are heart-shaped, shiny, 8-10 centimeters long, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are very large and showy, in the form of suspended bells with large, waxy petals in various shades of red, pink, white and sometimes cream, and are often speckled. Two-color varieties are available.

Height. In room conditions it reaches a length of 4 - 5 meters, but develops quite slowly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring - summer it is grown at a temperature of 18 - 24 degrees C, in winter at a temperature of 10 to 13 degrees C. In its natural environment, lapageria is exposed to daily temperature changes; if possible, provide similar conditions at home.

Lighting

Tolerates partial shade; direct sunlight should not fall on the bush - it damages the leaves.

Care

Long shoots require support. If you want to get a compact bush, cut long stems immediately after flowering. To keep the plant looking neat, remove dried shoots and leaves in a timely manner.

Substrate

Loves nutritious, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH and high organic content. A mixture based on peat, heather soil and leaf humus, with the addition of a small amount of pine bark, is suitable.

Feeding

Feed with regular liquid fertilizers twice a month during the period of active growth, while the fertilizer is diluted to half the recommended dosage. 

Purpose

This large plant is well suited for offices and hallways.

Flowering time

Summer and autumn.

Air humidity

Lapageria leaves are sprayed periodically to prevent pests such as spider mites.

Soil moisture

Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out before the next watering. Use rainwater or soft bottled water for watering.

Transfer

It is advisable to transplant into a fairly large pot in the spring, before flowering. Transplantation is carried out only if necessary, since the bush needs a lot of time to recover after the procedure.

Reproduction

Propagates by air layering, cuttings or seeds. Seeds must be subjected to preliminary stratification; only fresh seeds are used for sowing; the germination period is 6 - 8 weeks. Specimens obtained from seeds bloom at the age of 3 years. Long stems of lapageria can be pressed to the ground with a pin and covered with a small layer of substrate - rooting will occur in this place. Stem cuttings are taken in spring and summer, after new growth has begun, the lower leaves are removed and the base of the cutting is dipped in rooting powder and then in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Pots with cuttings are covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity and placed in a warm place with a temperature of 18 - 21 degrees Celsius. 

Pests and diseases

Plant leaves turn yellow in the fall when there is excess moisture or with ordinary tap water. Flowering may not occur if there is a lack of light.

Pests appear rarely - sometimes aphids, spider mites and mealybugs. When kept outdoors, slugs and snails may appear.

Note

Lapageria is a perennial plant that can live quite a long time under normal indoor conditions.