Cobaea SCANDENS

Cobaea SCANDENS - Cup-and-Saucer Vine, Cathedral Bells, Mexican Ivy, Monastery Bells.

Cobaea is a genus of subshrubs in the Polemoniaceae family, distinguished by rapid and vigorous growth. In nature, they are found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America.

The root system of the vines is very sturdy, with a large number of fibrous, thin roots. The stems can grow up to 5-6 m (16-20 ft) in length. Leaves grow alternately and consist of three parts. At the tips of shoots, leaves transform into tendrils by which they cling.

The flowers are large, with a long pedicel. As soon as they open from buds, they have a light green color, later transitioning to white and purple. The fruits are capsules with a hard rind, containing small seeds inside.

Cup-and-saucer vine is a climbing plant that forms long shoots up to 3 m (10 ft). The leaves are pinnate, with tendrils growing at their ends. It blooms from July until the onset of frost. The flowers are bell-shaped, pale green, later becoming violet. Inside the flower is a large, curved pistil and staminal filaments. Cobaea can climb walls without support. The plant is sun-loving and prefers light and loamy soils.

The seed coat of Cobaea is dense; to increase germination, it needs to be softened. For this purpose, seeds are placed for several days without touching each other in a container of water with the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon) and tightly closed.

After several days, seeds are sown individually into small cells or pots with universal substrate, moistened from a spray bottle, placed in a propagator or covered with plastic wrap, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Excessive moisture and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Seeds germinate on average in two weeks. Sprouts must be pricked out without disturbing the integrity of the root ball. This should be done 3 weeks after the emergence of seedlings.

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Cobaea is a heat-loving and sun-loving plant. In the room where it grows, there should be no drafts. The soil must be nutritious, with the addition of a small amount of lime, with a neutral pH level.

The vine needs adequate and regular watering. The soil must always be moist, yet waterlogging should not be allowed, otherwise the roots will rot. In hot weather, watering should be increased. The soil must be loosened from time to time so that the roots receive sufficient oxygen. Additionally, the plant needs spraying after sunset: this will prevent drying of leaf tips.

The plant is demanding regarding the nitrogen content in the soil. During the first half of spring, the plant must be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. Once buds have formed, fertilizing should be less frequent. Then potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied. They can be alternated with organic fertilizers.

Cobaea must be pinched back: this prevents excessive stretching of shoots. The same action encourages the formation of a large number of buds. The plant will look well-groomed and neat.