Since it belongs to the Ceropegia species, it forms tubers and has succulent herbs with drooping shoots. Ceropegia woodii is mainly cultivated as a houseplant. The care of the plant can be described as extremely easy and therefore means that it can also be used as an ampelous plant.
The tuber of the plant usually has a hard core. It can also be recognized by its gray color. At the same time it appears completely round and is lignified. The stem of the plant can be up to 5 cm thick. It is located directly on the surface and forms the basis for the shoots. These always form in several versions and show a red color. At the same time, they are thread thin and only one to three meters long. The shoots in turn form several pieces of meat leaves that are attached to short stems after 5-7 cm.
The climbing candlestick flower is, as its name suggests, a climbing plant that can reach a height of up to two meters. It is quite bare but has very interesting flowers that can grow up to seven centimeters. Because of the shape of these flowers, it is also called the parachute chandelier flower or simply parachute flower. In addition, you will not be taller than 2-3 cm. They glitter silvery on the surface and are spotty on the underside. The flowers come from the armpits of the plant and they are up to 3 cm long. Their shape is very narrow and they look like a meat-traveling tube. An extension
Location
The origin of the climbing candlestick flower is described with the south of Africa. Therefore, the location is best chosen when the plant is on dry ground and has a sunny location. Nevertheless, the gardener should protect them from the strong midday sun.
The plant, also known as Ceropegia sandersonii, can stand in the room all year round. Ideally, however, it should be placed on the balcony or terrace in summer. Nevertheless, caution is advised when frost threatens, because the plant, which is not used to low temperatures due to its origin, cannot be described as frost-hardy. It is therefore advisable to bring the plants back into the house before the first night frost. As an alternative to the room location, a location that is up to 15 degrees Celsius can be used. Due to its origin, the plant naturally also loves high humidity. As soon as the room becomes too dry, the plant should therefore be sprayed with water.
care
The Ceropegia sandersonii can be cultivated as a houseplant all year round, but it can also be spent on the terrace or balcony in the summer months. However, because of its origins, it is not frost-resistant, so it must be brought back into the house before the first night frosts. Then it can stand in a room with room temperature, but can also stand a slightly cooler location with around 15 ° C. A room with a fairly high ceiling is ideal
Humidity, if the room air is dry, it makes sense to spray it every now and then with water that is low in lime.In winter it is poured even more sparingly than in summer, in a cool room only every four weeks, in a room with room temperature every two weeks. However, the substrate should not dry out completely. Climbing candlesticks are seldom attacked by diseases; they only react very sensitively to waterlogging, so it should the lower part of the pot is best filled with gravel or expanded clay to allow for a good drainage of excess water guarantee.
to water
The watering is usually done in bulk, so that under no circumstances can waterlogging occur and no rot occurs. Cactus soil and fertilizer for cacti can also be used with this plant. They serve as a substrate and ensure the supply of nutrients. Since the luminous flowers form very long tendrils, these should be attached to support them. A climbing aid can be helpful here.
The hanging traffic light offers a variation. This also helps when the plant is in bloom, which it does between June and August. Since watering should be done sparingly in summer, the water requirement is even lower in winter. If it's in a room with an average temperature, it should be watered about every four weeks. Watering every two weeks is recommended in cooler rooms. The substrate should never dry out completely.
floor
The chandelier flower is best placed on a soil that is a mixture of compost soil and sharp sand. A layer of potsherds can also be used to avoid too much water. Thus, the ideal conditions for good growth are created and the climbing chandelier flower can unfold completely.
Multiplication
Nature has provided the climbing plant with two ways of reproduction. On the one hand, the tubers that form on the shoots of the plant can be cut off and placed back in the potting soil to allow them to multiply
reach. Afterwards, the tuber should be covered a little.On the other hand, there is also the possibility of planting cuttings from the plant. These should already be five to ten centimeters long. These are then raised in a new pot. In any case, the new plant must be kept slightly moist. A bright location is always recommended. However, direct sunlight should also be avoided here. Only when the tubers and cuttings have formed shoots can they stand in the sun again.
Fertilizing the climbing plant should be just as economical as watering. This should only be an option for mature and healthy plants. During the growth period, liquid fertilizer should be used every four weeks. In addition, this should only be administered in small doses.
There are two options for propagating a Ceropegia sandersonii.
- Small tubers form on the shoots of the plant that can be cut off for propagation. These are placed in a pot with potting soil and only lightly covered.
- The second option is to cut cuttings five to ten centimeters long from the shoots of the plant and plant them in a new pot.
With both variants, the substrate is only kept very slightly moist. The pot with the new plant should be in a bright place, but where it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Only after the tubers or have sprouted the cuttings, they are put back in a place with direct sunlight.
Diseases and pests
The plant does not know diseases. Just too much water can harm it. Therefore, the pot should be covered with gravel to allow the excess water to drain off in a species-appropriate manner. Although no diseases are known, the luminous flower can be attacked by various pests. This also includes the red spider. Then the observer can see fine webs, which on closer inspection can be seen as yellowish spots. If the red spider infestation is very pronounced, the color of the leaves can change. In this case, the leaves turn gray-green to copper-brown.
