2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ampelopsis (lat. Ampelopsis) - a winter-hardy woody plant from the Grape family. Another name is grapevine.
Description
Ampelopsis is an incredibly impressive woody deciduous liana of relatively small size, endowed with deeply dissected and extremely delicate juicy green leaves.
Small greenish ampelopsis flowers gather in paniculate pseudo-umbilical inflorescences, and ampelopsis fruits are inedible berries that invariably have a very bright color: they can be blue, orange, blue, purple, pink, and so on. As for the seeds, they are always smooth in this plant and are characterized by an ovoid shape.
In total, the genus of ampelopsis has up to two dozen species.
Where grows
Ampelopsis is most widespread in North America, as well as in East and Central Asia.
Usage
In the conditions of the middle lane, ampelopsis is often grown in culture - ampelopsis aconitolist has proven itself especially well. This plant boasts a special decorative effect with the onset of autumn - its colorful contrasting berries look amazing against the background of luxurious crimson foliage!
Growing and caring
Ampelopsis is not very demanding for soils, but this plant will still feel best on well-drained, moist, deep and fairly fertile neutral loams. By the way, this handsome man does not tolerate strong overconsolidation and stagnant waterlogging of the soil very badly.
Despite the fact that, in general, ampelopsis is very photophilous, it reacts quite well to light shading. In addition, this plant is also moderately wind-resistant, however, with too strong gusts of wind, its shoots can still break off. And the winter hardiness of ampelopsis is also very impressive, however, if the winter turns out to be very frosty, the shoots of the plant may freeze (this is especially typical for young specimens). It is best to plant ampelopsis in warm areas that provide reliable protection from cold, piercing winds.
In summer, ampelopsis should be watered abundantly, in autumn and spring seasons - in moderation, and with the onset of winter watering should be very scarce and infrequent. However, they must be sufficient to maintain the vitality of the plant's rhizomes. For irrigation, it is best to use settled water at room temperature.
During the period of active growth, ampelopsis needs to be fed twice a month (especially this handsome man loves organic matter), and in the winter season, any feeding should be excluded.
Since ampelopsis is a fast-growing plant, regular and radical pruning of shoots is vital for it - as a rule, it is carried out in early spring. And, by the way, this procedure can significantly increase the decorativeness of this handsome man!
Reproduction of ampelopsis is carried out mainly by seeds, and its seedlings begin to delight with the first flowering only from the fifth year of life. It is quite permissible to propagate this plant with apical cuttings.
As for pests, sometimes fine ampelopsis can be affected by spider mites or thrips. In case of waterlogging, its roots may begin to rot (especially often in the winter season), and with dry air or excessively dry topsoil, its leaves may begin to turn yellow. If ampelopsis categorically refuses to bloom, it is possible that it is experiencing either a moisture deficit or a lack of lighting.
