BCSS - Forum

Hi all,

I had some problems keeping this plant upright last year as it grew new leaves. I had to stake it up all through the winter as it had a tendency to sag badly as soon as it dried out a bit.

It seems a bit more solid this year but is sagging slightly under the weight of the new growth. Does this look like normal growth? Other plants I've seen look a little more compact. It's now in the greenhouse so it's getting as much light as possible.

This plant is naturally a scrambler through surrounding vegetation. I would advise keeping the stems upright - next year they should be large enough to attempt to flower, which is the whole point of growing this species. If you loop the three stems together with a tie, they should balance upright, but a stake may be needed eventually. They are thirsty plants in winter and may need a few extra drinks cf. more xeric spp.

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble

Thanks very much Derek. I was surprised last year quite how much water it would take and also how sad it looked when it was dry. I’ll do as you suggested. Cheers, Ian

Apicra wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 5:08 pm This plant is naturally a scrambler through surrounding vegetation. I would advise keeping the stems upright - next year they should be large enough to attempt to flower, which is the whole point of growing this species. If you loop the three stems together with a tie, they should balance upright, but a stake may be needed eventually. They are thirsty plants in winter and may need a few extra drinks cf. more xeric spp.

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble

Good advice. I grew this species with very little effort in coastal California. It regularly bloomed with the largest (zygomorphic like) flowers that I've seen in this genus. Of the species I've grown only two came that close in size (but less showy); T. paniculatus and the variety dinterii. On iNaturalist I found the observations in the NE most areas were more upright (among rocks without competing shrubs) than closer to Cape Town.

This species also presents growers with a challenge in that it is not deciduous. How many of the old leaves should be cut off? They can impede new growth when a specimen has more branches.

I like to keep a few dead leaves around each stem to illustrate the character of the spices, but cut most off each year to keep plants relatively tidy.

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble