Ampelopsis

Family. Vitaceae.

Origin. Eastern China.

Description.  Ampelopsis includes 25 species of woody, very fast-growing deciduous perennial vines, native to North America and Asia, ranging in height from 3 to 7 meters. The leaves are alternate, simple or pinnately divided, 3 - 5 lobed, green or variegated white with coarsely serrated edges, shiny, 9 - 12 cm long. It has antennae at the base of each leaf, with the help of which it climbs a wall or clings to a support. Young branches are usually pubescent. The flowers are tiny, inconspicuous, greenish-white, appear in the summer (from June to August) and are collected in axillary inflorescences - complex umbrellas. The berries are slightly fleshy, 5 - 8 mm in diameter, black, bluish, greenish, each containing 2 - 4 seeds.

Height. Up to 7 m.

Ampelopsis - planting and care

Reproduction, growing from seeds

Propagated in the spring by apical cuttings about 5 cm long, which take root in the soil at a temperature of 15 - 20 ° C. Seeds are sown in the fall. 

Containment temperature

In spring and summer, normal room temperature is suitable for growing the ampelopsis. The plant overwinters in cool conditions, but not in the cold.

Lighting

A bright or slightly shaded place without direct sunlight. Fruits best in good light. 

Care, pruning

The plant sheds its leaves in the winter and grows new ones in the spring; to do this, it should be heavily pruned. In summer it is recommended to take the plant out into the air. Requires support for growth. Flowers appear on new growth, so pruning in late winter (optional) helps control the size of the plant and maintain the desired shape.

Soil

Grows in well-drained soil and adapts well to most soils, including sandy or rocky ones.

Fertilizer

The plant is fed 2 times a month during the period of active growth; in winter, feeding is excluded; it loves organic matter. 

Flowering time

Early summer.

Spraying

It is necessary to spray the leaves.

Watering the ampelopsis

During the warm season, water generously. Let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings. Plants that overwinter in a very cool place are not watered at all.

Transfer

Every year in the spring.

Pests and diseases

Pests may include mealybugs and spider mites, as well as aphids, scale insects and whiteflies.

Note

In indoor conditions, life expectancy ranges from 5 to 10 years.

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponic culture. 

Varieties:

Ampelopsis japonica

It is a vine with thin, flexible stems on which are palmately dissected, bluish-green leaves on long petioles. During the flowering period, this variety forms small inflorescences with small greenish flowers, which over time turn into round berries.

The plant is used in folk medicine as a medicine and is believed to have anticonvulsant, antibacterial, and expectorant properties. 

Ampelopsis aconitifolia

A fast-growing deciduous vine with thin shoots and large, carved leaves. The leaves are palmate, arranged alternately, on long petioles. At the leaf nodes, the plant has thin, long, branched tendrils, with the help of which it clings and quickly entwines any support. In the second half of summer, the plant forms inflorescences with green flowers and decorates itself with small, bright berries in the fall.

Ampelopsis heterophylla

A perennial, fast-growing, deciduous plant with thin, woody shoots 7-9 m long that become woody with age. The leaves are green, glossy, palmate, alternate. The antennae are thin, long, located in leaf nodes. The flowers are small, unattractive, collected in inflorescences - umbrellas. The real decoration of the plant will be small round berries in white, purple, blue, pink, and lilac shades.

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Deciduous decorative vine with flexible stems 4 - 6 m long. The leaves are green, mostly three-fingered, with small denticles along the edge of the leaf blades. Inflorescences - axillary umbrellas with greenish flowers are replaced in the fall by clusters of small berries of various shades. 

Ampelopsis glandulosa

A perennial deciduous climbing plant with shoots about 5 m long. The leaves are glossy, green, arranged alternately, the leaf blades are palmately dissected. Inflorescences are axillary umbrellas of many small, inconspicuous flowers. In autumn, brightly colored, round berries appear on the plants, collected in small clusters.