2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Diplocyclos (Latin Diplocyclos) - a spectacular plant with highly decorative fruits, which is a representative of the large Pumpkin family. The name of the plant is translated as "palm-shaped", and this is due to the fact that the shape of the leaves of diplocyclos is somewhat reminiscent of hands, that is, palms! Diplocyclos also has some other popular names - striped cucumber or aboriginal brijuni.
Description
Diplocyclos is an incredibly attractive and very showy climbing plant with a passive form of growth. The thickened roots of this plant are characterized by a tuberous shape, and its climbing stems are endowed with the ability to grow quickly enough. The leaves of this perennial vine are simple and always palmate-lobed, and its dicotyledonous flowers, which include both female and male flowers, form graceful brushes or sessile axillary clusters.
The spherical fleshy fruits of the diplocyclos are generously decorated with pronounced spotted or striped patterns. They all look like edible berries, which turn bright red as they ripen.
In total, the genus of diplocyclos includes four or five species.
Where grows
Some of the species of diplocyclos are characterized by pantropic distribution, while the rest of its species, as a rule, are limited only to Africa. Especially often this plant can be found in tropical or humid forests.
Usage
In floristry, diplocyclos is not used very often, but it is still used. It will be especially good when composing a wide variety of flower arrangements - the unusually colored bizarre fruits of diplocyclos will add special originality to absolutely any arrangement! A unique contrast of textures and shapes will be guaranteed in this case!
In the cut, diplocyclos also costs very well and for a long time - this period can easily exceed the two-week mark! And this plant is perfect for landscaping walls, gazebos and balconies, both in group and single plantings.
In no case should we forget that in large quantities all parts of the diplocyclos are poisonous and toxic, nevertheless, in some parts of our planet, the leaves of this plant are eaten in small quantities as a vegetable. In addition, the fruits and leaves of diplocyclos are also quite successfully used for medicinal purposes.
Growing and caring
Before planting, it is recommended to soak the seeds of diplocyclos for one or two hours in zircon or epine. And for their full germination, a normally drained medium-loose neutral soil mixture is required. At the same time, the seeds are buried in a moist substrate no more than one centimeter, and throughout the entire period of their germination, it is important to try to ensure that they maintain constant moisture. Ideally, seed containers are placed in warm and light enough places under plastic wrap. Also, during the germination period, you need to take care of the presence of a constant temperature for the seeds - its fluctuations should not exceed seven to ten degrees.
As a rule, it takes about two weeks for seeds to germinate - this is provided that the air temperature is in the range from twenty-five to twenty-eight degrees. By the way, light is not particularly required for full-fledged germination of seeds, however, as soon as the diplocyclos sprouts, the containers with seeds should be moved to a fairly bright place, in partial shade or to diffused sunlight. In separate pots, sprouts can be transplanted both immediately after germination and after the first pair of true leaves appears on the plant.
