Cynanchum VIMINALE

Cynanchum VIMINALE - Caustic Bush, Leafless Sarcostemma, Cynanchum viminale.

Cynanchum is a genus of shrubs and subshrubs in the Apocynaceae family, growing in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa.

In representatives of the genus, leaves are arranged oppositely, and in some species alternately. Flowers are gathered in leaf axils and at the ends of shoots into inflorescences. Inflorescences can be umbellate, corymbose, or racemose. Flower calyces have 5 erect lobes. Corollas are rounded, five-lobed, with a rounded tube. The fruits - follicles - are spindle-shaped or lanceolate.

Caustic bush is a leafless succulent with cylindrical green photosynthetic stems. The plant can grow both as a shrub and as a vine. The stem produces a large quantity of milky sap when broken. This fluid is caustic and causes burns. The flowers are small, white. The fruits are long pods. The seeds are numerous, with silky plumes, capable of dispersing over large distances.

Seeds are pre-soaked for 4-8 hours in warm water with the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then sown on the surface of a well-drained peat-sand mixture and covered with a layer of coarse sand, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with plastic wrap, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 22-27 °C (72-81 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Excessive moisture and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Seeds usually germinate in 1-2 weeks.

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In indoor floriculture, cynanchums are encountered rather rarely. The reason for this is not the shrub's capriciousness, but the absence of striking ornamental qualities. Despite the succulent green stems, their flowers are practically inconspicuous, and an inattentive person might not notice them.

The plants do not require special care: they are unpretentious and hardy. These succulents are adapted to growing in arid soil conditions. They enjoy abundant watering only during the spring and summer periods. During dark hours and in winter, when days are overcast and short, supplemental lighting with sodium or fluorescent lamps is desirable. In spring, autumn, and winter, southern windows suit the plant, while in summer southeast or southwest windows are best.

The ideal temperature is 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Drafts and abrupt temperature shifts should be avoided. The plant must be watered regularly (1-2 times a week) and abundantly. Sarcostemma requires moderate air humidity: this can be achieved by placing a container with water next to the pot.

Fertilizing is best done during the active growth period (March to August). The fertilizer should contain plenty of potassium and little nitrogen. The soil should be slightly acidic or neutral, loose, and fertile. When preparing the mixture at home, one should add one part perlite, one part peat (coco peat), and a little humus to two parts universal potting mix.

Indoors, the plant reproduces by seeds, air layering, or cuttings that can be taken after pruning. When repotting, one should transfer the roots with the soil ball into a new pot, adding fresh potting mix.