Cissus australianandcissus rombolistnyare the two most common species of plants belonging to the genus Cissus in pot-growing. The decorative value and relatively easy care of these climbers made them popular. Learn about the possibilities of growing a cissus, learn aboutcissus carein pot cultivation and how to combat diseases that threaten cissus.
Cissus rombolistny - Cissus rhombifolia
Cissus - species and varieties
Australian Cissus(Cissus antarctica) comes from Australia and is one of 350 species of the genus Cissus.It is a fast-growing potted climber that can climb over trellises and other supports where it is held by the sticking tendrils produced by this plant. It can also be grown in hanging pots. The leaves of this cissus are light green, glossy, toothed at the edges. Shoots reach up to 3 m in length.
Cissus rombolistny(Cissus rhombifolia) comes from South Africa. Apart from the Australian cissus, it is the second most cultivated species of cissus. It is usually grown as a climbing plant, but it also looks great and grows well in hanging containers. It has an interesting shape of leaves (hence the name), which are dark green on the top and red on the underside, covered with delicate hairs. When deciding to grow this plant, it is worth looking for the cissus variety 'Ellen Danica', which is distinguished by attractive, three-lapped leaves.
Sometimes in pot cultivation you can also findvaricolored cissus(Cissus discolor) , having velvety, pointed leaves with a silver-pink pattern.However, I do not recommend this species for growing at home, because its care is very difficult, and the plant requires a lot of heat and high air humidity, which we will not be able to provide in an apartment.
Cissus care
Position, insolation
Cissuscan be grown in a bright position but with diffused light or in partial shade. This plant doesn't like harsh sun as much as it doesn't like full shade.
Temperature
The air temperature in the room where the cissus grows should be in the range of 15 - 24 ° C. In winter, the cissus likes to be slightly cooler, within 10-18 ° C. The minimum cultivation temperature should not fall below 7 ° C.
Watering the cissus
Cissus carerequires the plant to be watered regularly, but be careful not to overflow it. When we over-water the cissus leaves immediately turn yellow and fall off, it may even end up in the fact that we have to discard the plant.It is best to adopt the rule that the top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. Let's stick to this rule, especially in winter, when watering should be slightly limited compared to the spring and summer period. Cissus leaves should also be sprinkled with lukewarm, standing water.
Cissus fertilization
Cissus fertilizationtakes place traditionally from March to the end of August. It is best to use a special liquid fertilizer for green plants, which we give every two weeks.
Transplanting, earth
Cissus transplantingis done depending on the size of the plant. Within a few years, the cissus sometimes grows into a large specimen and then replanting is a problem, so we only replace the top layer of earth. As long as the plant is small, we replant it in spring every year. You can use ordinary potting soil, to which garden peat is added. And ideal for cissus cultivation is a substrate composed of compost soil, peat and sand, mixed in a ratio of 4: 1: 1. Soil for growing cissusshould have a pH of 5.5 - 6.5.
Cissus supports
Cissus may climb over a grate, net, or stake covered with moss. The supports must be firmly fixed so that, as the plants grow, they do not tip over under the weight of shoots and leaves.
Note! After purchasing a cissus, provide it with some support as soon as possible, before its shoots become tangled or deformed.
Trimming cissus shootsCissus tips should be trimmed to keep the plant in a bushy shape. When the stems strip from the bottom of the leaves, a stronger cut is necessary.
Cissus - diseases and pests
Cissus can suffer both from non-infectious diseases, caused by improper care of the plant, and from infectious diseases of potted plants with a fungal basis.
Diseases of cissus leavesassociated with improper care are manifested by the formation of irregular spots on the leaves, yellowing and dying of the leaves.The cause of such symptoms may be too intense sunlight, excessive watering or dehydration of the plant, as well as too dry and warm air in the apartment. If the tops of the leaves turn brown, this clearly indicates too dry air. Then sprinkling helps.
However, ifthe spots on the cissus leavesare oval, with a clear bright border, and black clusters of spores of the fungus can be seen on their surface, this indicates an infectious disease -cissus leaf spot , caused by Cercospora viticola and Phyllosticta cissicola. Infected leaves should be removed and whole plants should be sprayed several times, alternating biopreparations: Biochikol 020 PC, Bioczos BR, Biosept 33 SL, Pokon Biochitan 020 PC. If this does not help, you need to use protective measures such as Dithane NeoTec 75 WG and Topsin M 500 SC, but remember that these preparations cannot be used in living quarters (preferably leave the plants outside while spraying).
Watery gray spots with a dusty coating may indicate that the plant was attackedgray cissus moldHeavily infected plants should be discarded, but after noticing the first symptoms of cissus disease, it is worth trying to save by spraying Biosept 33 SL alternately with with fungicide Kaptan suspension 50 WP or Teldor 500 SC.
Cissusa can also be attacked by powdery and false mildew. In the case of downy mildew, irregular yellow spots up to 3 cm in diameter appear on the upper side of the leaves, and a slight fungus sporulation layer on the underside. On the other hand, powdery mildew is a white, powdery coating on the leaves that darkens with time. In the event of a mildew attack, regardless of its type, we can use the previously mentioned biopreparations: Bioczos BR, Biosept 33 SL or Pokon Biochitan.
Cissusa can also attack potted flower pests, such as greenhouse spider mite, which causes mosaic discoloration on leaves, citrus mealybug contaminating plants with woolly discharge, aphids causing distortion and discoloration of young leaves, with visible colonies of insects perched on tops of shoots, and thrips.Against pests, you need to choose the right insecticide preparations. Safe for use at home is the natural natural remedy Agrocover, available as a convenient, ready-to-use spray. It can be used to fight all the above-mentioned pests.
