How to grow Rangoon creeper (Combretum indicum) in pots? Growing methods and points to note

  Rangoon creeper, also known as Liuqiuzi and Suoziguo. In Guangzhou it is called “Shuijunzi”. Rangoon creeper is a deciduous climbing shrub, with opposite oblong leaves and terminal spike inflorescences; the calyx is a long slender tube, the flowers hang downward, and the petals are red. After flowering it produces ridged fruit. The seeds used as medicine are called Shijunzi (Rangoon creeper seeds) and are an effective deworming agent. Rangoon creeper is an excellent material for making flower hedges, flower trellises and flower corridors; it can also be grown in pots for ornament.

  [Light and temperature]

  Rangoon creeper by nature likes a warm and humid growing environment, can tolerate cold, likes light, and can also tolerate partial shade, but it will grow better if there is plenty of sunlight. To grow Rangoon creeper, it is best to let it receive sufficient sunlight; each day it can take full sun or more than 4 hours of direct light, which will make it bloom profusely. If the growing environment is too shady, it may cause the plant to grow leggy and reduce flowering. During cultivation, make sure the growing environment of Rangoon creeper has a suitable temperature, between 20°C and 30°C; in winter, take care to protect it from the cold.

  [Propagation methods]

  There are mainly four ways to propagate Rangoon creeper. It can be grown from seed, with seedlings transplanted, and it can also be propagated by division, by cuttings and by layering.

  [Water and fertilizer management]

  Rangoon creeper likes a relatively humid growing environment, is not tolerant of drought, and dislikes waterlogging. Keep the soil moist, but be sure not to let water accumulate in the pot. Rangoon creeper needs more fertilizer during the growing period. When planting, apply a sufficient amount of base fertilizer, and afterwards carry out topdressing. In spring and summer, apply topdressing once or twice, and before flowering also give Rangoon creeper plenty of nutrients to meet the nutrition consumed by flowering. In autumn and winter, reduce the frequency of watering and fertilizing Rangoon creeper.

  [Flowering]

  To make Rangoon creeper flower better, before the flower buds form, the growth of its branches needs to pause; appropriately reduce watering and fertilizing to slow the growth rate of Rangoon creeper, which will help it flower.

  [Pruning]

  Pruning branches is for shaping and better flowering; during the growing process, prune the branches regularly. If the branches of Rangoon creeper grow in a messy way or are too dense, you can prune away the excess branches to avoid blocking sunlight and competing for nutrients. Pruning the branches and leaves of Rangoon creeper in winter helps it bloom again the following year.

  Rangoon creeper flowers are fragrant and gorgeous, its leaves are deep green and dense, and its vines grow 1-2 zhang, so it can be used as a green hedge and green canopy, and can also be made into a medium-sized bonsai within two meters; it is an excellent ornamental tree species in gardens. With abundant flowers and lush leaves, it is light and elegant with an intoxicating fragrance. In garden applications it is an excellent trellis plant or a semi-upright green dividing-strip plant. In the hot summer, it gives people a refreshing visual experience. The flowers can be used as cut flowers. The fruit can be used medicinally.