Climbing candlestick, Ceropegia sandersonii

As it belongs to the Ceropegia species, it forms bulbs and has succulent herbs with sprouts that hang down. 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 a traffic light plant.

The tuber of the plant usually has a hard core. It is also recognizable by its gray colour. At the same time it appears completely round and is lignified. The trunk of the plant can grow 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 coloration. At the same time, they are thread-thin and only grow to a length of one to 3 m. The shoots, in turn, develop several pieces of flesh leaves, which are attached to short stalks after 5-7 cm.

As its name suggests, the Climbing Candlestick is a climbing plant that can reach a height of up to two meters. It is quite bare, but produces very interesting flowers that grow up to three inches in size. Because of the shape of these flowers, it is also called parachute candlestick or simply parachute flower. Also, you won't get anything bigger than 2-3 cm. They glitter silvery on the surface and are spotted on the underside. The flowers come from the axils of the plant and are up to 3 cm long. Their shape turns out to be very narrow and they look like a meat-propelled tube. An expansion is done by a small purple ball.

Location

The origin of the climbing candlestick is described as southern Africa. Therefore, the location is best chosen when the plant is on dry soil and has a sunny location. Nevertheless, the gardener should protect them from the strong midday sun.

The plant, also known as Ceropegia sandersonii, can be in the room all year round. Ideally, however, it should be 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 cool can also be used. Due to its origin, the plant naturally also loves high humidity. Therefore, as soon as the room becomes too dry, the plant should be sprayed with water.

Care

The Ceropegia sandersonii can be cultivated as a houseplant all year round, but it can also spend the summer months on the terrace or balcony. Due to its origin, however, it is not frost hardy, 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 it also tolerates a slightly cooler location with around 15° C. A room with a fairly high level of humidity is ideal, so if the air in the room is dry it makes sense to spray it with low-lime water from time to time.

In winter it is watered even more sparingly than in summer, in a cool room only every four weeks, in a room at room temperature every two weeks. However, the substrate should not dry out completely. A climbing candlestick is only rarely attacked by diseases, it only reacts very sensitively to waterlogging, so it should the lower part of the pot is best filled with gravel or expanded clay to ensure a good drainage of excess irrigation water guarantee.

Pour

Watering is usually done en masse, so that under no circumstances can waterlogging occur and there is also no rot. 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.

The hanging basket offers a variation. This also helps when the plant is in bloom, which is between June and August. Since watering should be done sparingly in summer, the water requirement in winter is even lower. If placed in an average temperature room, 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 candlestick plant does best in soil that is a mixture of compost 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 candlestick flower can fully develop.

propagation

Nature has provided the climbing plant with two ways of propagation. On the one hand, the tubers that form on the shoots of the plant can be cut off and placed back in potting soil to achieve propagation. The tuber should then 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. But here, too, direct sunlight should be avoided. Only when the tubers and cuttings have sprouted can they stand in the sun again.

Fertilizing the climbing plant should be just as economical as watering. This should also only be considered for mature and healthy plants. During the growth period, liquid fertilizer should be used every four weeks. This should also only be administered in small doses.

There are two ways of propagating a Ceropegia sandersonii.

• Small tubers are formed on the shoots of the plant, which 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 always kept only slightly moist. The pot with the new plant should be in a bright place, but not exposed to direct sunlight. Only after the tubers or Once the cuttings have sprouted, they are placed back in a spot with direct sunlight.

diseases and pests

The plant does not know diseases. Just too much water can harm her. The pot should therefore be covered with gravel to allow excess water to drain off in a species-appropriate manner. Although no diseases are known, the luminous flower can be infested by various pests. This includes the red spider. Then the observer sees fine webs, which can be seen as yellowish spots on closer inspection. If the infestation with the red spider is severe, the color of the leaves can change. In this case, the leaves become gray-green to copper-brown.

Learn more about climbing plants