Freycinetia 'LONG FRUIT'

Freycinetia 'LONG FRUIT' - Long-fruited freycinetia, Freycinetia 'Long Fruit', Freycinetia LONGISPICA.

Freycinetia is a genus of tropical climbing plants in the family Pandanaceae, comprising about 200 species and distributed across Southeast Asia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and Polynesia.

Plants of this genus are evergreen climbing or scrambling lianas with long slender stems and linear, pointed leaves. They possess adventitious roots with which they attach to supports. They often form dense clumps under the canopy of the tropical forest.

Flowering occurs during the warm season. Inflorescences are spike-like, surrounded by bright bracts, often orange-red in color. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and separated into male and female. The fruits are elongated, fleshy, and gathered into infructescences resembling pineapple heads.

Long-fruited freycinetia is a rare ornamental liana with slender, woody stems up to 3-5 m (10-16 ft) long. The leaves are long, up to 60 cm (24 in), rigid, sword-shaped, green with a silvery bloom. Shoots take root along their entire length upon contact with a moist surface.

Flowering is observed in summer. The inflorescences are spike-like and vivid, with deep-orange or red bracts. The fruits are oblong, juicy, up to 10 cm (4 in) long, and resemble a pineapple in structure. Seeds are small, light brown.

Seeds are sown into a light, moist substrate based on peat and moss. Sowing depth is no more than 0.5 cm (0.2 in). The container is covered with film, a temperature of 24-26 °C (75-79 °F) is provided, and daily ventilation is conducted. Germination takes 3-5 weeks.

After true leaves appear, pricking out into individual pots is carried out. Young plants are provided with stable moisture and high air humidity. Maintaining shading and consistent warmth is desirable.

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Placement in partial shade or diffused light is recommended. Direct sun is undesirable. When grown indoors, the plant is placed away from south-facing windows, with increased air humidity preferred.

In summer, a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F) is maintained. In winter, maintenance at a temperature of 16-18 °C (61-64 °F) is preferred. Watering is carried out regularly and generously as the top layer of soil dries. Overdrying of the substrate must be avoided. It enjoys frequent misting.

A loose, moisture-retentive, yet breathable substrate based on peat, leaf mold, and sphagnum moss is used. Repotting is carried out in spring by the potting-on method. Good drainage and a trellis or support for climbing are mandatory.

From April to September, fertilizers for ornamental foliage or tropical plants are applied every 2-3 weeks. During the autumn-winter period, feeding is not required. Excess fertilizer can cause leggy shoots.

Sanitary pruning of dry and damaged leaves is carried out. Propagation is carried out by seeds or by rooting layerings. Under suitable conditions, it actively reproduces vegetatively through adventitious roots.