2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Parthenocissus (lat. Parthenocissus) - a woody plant from the grape family, quite widely known as the maiden grape.
Description
Parthenocissus is a deciduous shrub vine that rises upward with the help of antennae expanding in the form of suckers. The height of this plant often reaches twenty to thirty meters.
The leaflets of the parthenocissus are trilobate, compound and palmate. All of them sit on rather long petioles, while in the summer season they have a green color, and in the fall they become burgundy.
The inflorescences of this plant are corymbose and rather inconspicuous - each inflorescence includes from three to five miniature greenish flowers. And the inedible fruits of the parthenocissus look like dark blue berries. All berries are collected in a brush and reach a diameter of five to seven millimeters. And their ripening usually occurs either at the end of summer or at the very beginning of autumn.
In total, the genus includes about ten species.
Where grows
The homeland of the parthenocissus is considered to be the Himalayas, East Asia and North America. Quite often, this beautiful plant can be seen on the territory of Russia.
Usage
Parthenocissus is an ideal plant in all respects for decorating gazebos, fences, building walls and pergolas. For a year, this handsome man is able to give an increase of one and a half to two meters!
When planting a parthenocissus near walls, you should try to maintain a distance of one meter, while it is quite possible to use supports up to ten meters high.
The parthenocissus also gives an interesting effect when decorating all kinds of horizontal surfaces. It is also incredibly good as a ground cover plant!
As for the berries of this plant, despite the fact that they are inedible for humans (but these berries are not at all poisonous!), They are excellent food for birds in winter.
Growing and caring
Despite the fact that the parthenocissus is a light-loving plant, it also tolerates shading quite well. It is capable of growing on any soil, but well-drained, loose and fertile soils will be most preferred for its cultivation. And the parthenocissus is so unpretentious that it easily adapts to almost any conditions and easily tolerates a transplant at absolutely any age! It is also extremely gas and smoke resistant!
Two-year or three-year-old seedlings are placed in planting holes with a mixture of sand, peat compost and leafy soil, taken in a ratio of 1: 2: 2. In addition, in each hole, drainage from sand or crushed stone is additionally equipped.
Parthenocissus is watered moderately, three or four times per season. This plant also needs mulching with loosening, in addition, the parthenocissus needs fertilizing twice a year.
Throughout the season, the plant requires sanitary pruning, during which it is necessary to eliminate dry and damaged shoots, in addition, no one has canceled the fight against overgrowth - in this case, proper control is also necessary.
The rhizomes of the parthenocissus tend to be exposed, respectively, if they become visible, they must be sprinkled with fresh soil and slightly spud the graceful vine. This is usually done in the fall in preparation for the winter season.
Parthenocissus propagates equally well both by cuttings or root suckers, and by cuttings or seeds. In this case, reproduction by layering is the simplest option. And sometimes the parthenocissus also plays the role of a rootstock when grafting various varieties of cultivated grapes!
