A detailed introduction to the latest planting methods for Cissus sicyoides
Cissus sicyoides is also known as creeping fig, pearl-curtain vine, "A Dream of Curtains" and so on. It is a perennial evergreen climbing herbaceous vine of the genus Cissus in the grape family, and can grow slender reddish-brown aerial roots from the nodes. Newly grown aerial roots are red, and after a period of time turn yellow-green, so the upper and lower parts of each strand of aerial roots differ in color, making it even more charming. Now let us take a look together at how to plant Cissus sicyoides!
Growth habits of Cissus sicyoides
Cissus sicyoides is a sun-loving plant, drought-tolerant, high-temperature-tolerant, and also slightly shade-tolerant. It needs good drainage and sunlight, and has extremely strong spreading ability, so the trellis set up must be large, and the growth direction of the branches should be guided at all times. Sunlight should be about 80-100% (full sun), and the suitable growth temperature is about 22-30°C. In winter it will shed leaves, grow slowly, and not grow aerial roots. When the temperature is below 10°C, cold protection must be carried out. In summer it grows quickly and should be pruned in a timely manner to facilitate ventilation. Water once every 1-2 days in summer and once every 2-3 days in winter. Apply a light fertilizer once every 2-3 months.
Propagation methods of Cissus sicyoides
Cissus sicyoides can be propagated by stem cuttings or air layering. Seedlings can be raised in all three seasons of spring, summer, and autumn. Aerial roots are used to reproduce life. For cultivation, loam soil with strong water retention is best, and drainage and sunlight need to be good. Its spreading ability is extremely strong, so the trellis set up needs to be wide, and the growth direction of the branches should be guided at all times so that the vines spread evenly over the trellis surface. As long as Cissus sicyoides is planted in the soil and a trellis or net frame is set up above for the vines to climb on, it will grow naturally. There is no need to fertilize, and after a period of planting there is no need to water again, as it will absorb moisture from the air on its own. It can even take root when it grows onto cement ground. However, after some time it needs to be pruned and tidied once, and in this way a large patch of aerial roots can grow in a year.
Planting methods of Cissus sicyoides
1. Planting soil: Cissus sicyoides has strong adaptability to soil and can grow in soils of various natures. When planting, the soil should preferably be ordinary soil, but yellow soil, mud, clay loam, sandy loam, and gravelly soil can all be used for planting. As long as the soil has a certain level of fertility and a slightly moist soil layer, it is fine.
2. Seedling stage management: During the growth period of Cissus sicyoides seedlings, apply chemical fertilizer twice to promote seedling growth, and in the first year of cultivation the trellis can be completely covered. During the seedling stage, Cissus sicyoides can grow some red aerial roots on the nodes, but these aerial roots should be removed once the Cissus sicyoides plant grows onto the trellis.
3. Planting density: The planting density of Cissus sicyoides should be chosen according to local conditions, mainly considering the guide rods used to guide the branches. Due to the limited number of guide rods and the overall landscape, Sunshine Seedling Network reminds that to achieve the purpose of rapid formation of a grove, it is best to plant 2-6 plants at one point. One point can be planted per trellis. For corridors and landscape walls, the method of planting multiple plants at one point can be used for Cissus sicyoides, with a distance of 5-10 m.
4. Pruning and shaping: When the aerial roots of Cissus sicyoides grow onto the trellis, they can be pruned into shapes according to one's own interests and hobbies. After it becomes a mature plant, Cissus sicyoides does not need pruning. Under severe cold winter climate conditions, it is only necessary to remove some diseased and insect-damaged branches, dead branches, or some overly long branches.