Bromelia ∗ The 10 best care tips (Syrian milkweed)

origin

the Parrot plant, botanically Asclepias syriaca, belongs to the silk plant family within the dog poison family. In German it also has nicknames like Syriac Milkweed or real milkweed.

Despite its exotic name and appearance - especially that of the fruit - the parrot plant is not really exotic. In any case, it does not come from areas that are completely climatically opposite to that of Central Europe, such as the tropics. Originally the perennial comes from the eastern part of North America and the Pannonian flora province - so one Area comprising the Hungarian Plain, as well as parts of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Austria and Moravia includes.

So the parrot plant is adapted to a relatively diverse repertoire of habitats - them In their home areas thrives mainly in dry, mild areas, but is largely hardy. So an outdoor culture is definitely possible with us.

Origin in keywords:

• Parrot plant comes from North America and the Pannonian Flora Province (Hungary to Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria, Moravia)
• Mostly thrives in dry, mild locations
• Is largely hardy

growth

The parrot plant grows as a perennial and reaches heights of about one to two meters. The upright stem is light green in color and slightly hairy. Usually the plant shows little or no branching.

It clings to the ground with a taproot and forms rhizomes - quite disseminating ones at that. They behave as aggressively as those of bamboo or loosestrife and must, if uncontrolled spread is to be prevented, with a Root lock be kept in check. Even tearing out the roots for removal purposes is mostly useless - the parrot plant can sprout again undaunted from the smallest remains of roots.
In addition to this intensive root expansion, the parrot plant also reproduces very strongly via the seeds when they fall out of the ripe follicle fruit.

Because of its strong distribution mechanisms, the parrot plant was classified as an alien invasive plant species by the European Commission in 2017. Your population should be pushed back to protect our native flora - therefore you will not find any more parrot plants or seeds to buy in the plant trade.

If you really want to add a specimen to your plant collection, you have to rely on seeds or offshoots from befriended hobby gardeners. That for the sake of the local flora when cultivating on a Rhizome barrier and attention is paid to the timely prevention of self-sowing, goes without saying for a responsible plant lover.

Overview of growth characteristics:

• Parrot plant grows as a perennial
• 1-2 m high
• Upright, light green, slightly hairy and hardly branched stem
• Taproot with aggressive rhizome formation
• In addition, strong self-euthanasia
• Therefore officially classified as an alien invasive species - no longer available in stores

leaves

The foliage leaves, which are usually cross-shaped on the stem, which are rarely branched, are short-stalked and have an elliptical to egg-shaped contour with a blunt to slightly pointed tip. In size, the leaves reach about 15 to 30 cm in length and 5 to 11 cm in width. The leaf margins are entire. Like the stem, the undersides of the leaves are slightly hairy.

blossom

In July and August, the parrot plant forms many small flowers that stand together on the short stems in delicate, spherical, very pretty umbels. The individual flowers have a base in scarlet pink and turn into whitish to greenish pink at the crowns. Overall, they have a length of about 3 to 5 mm. The flowers give off a strong, pleasantly honey-like scent.

Flower characteristics in brief:

• Large, spherical umbellate inflorescences made up of numerous, small flowers
• Show up in July and August
• Color scarlet pink, blending into whitish
• Strongly fragrant

fruit

The fruit that emerges from the flowers is actually the highlight and namesake of the parrot plant. Indeed, the elongated greenish to brownish follicles, curved like a horn at the bottom, look like small, upside-down budgerigars. For decorative purposes, when the plant was still allowed to be sold, they were cut off in shops, provided with black dots as eyes and marketed as small parrot figures.

The fruits are about 8 to 15 centimeters long and have a soft thorny texture. Inside they form numerous seeds that are provided with silky threads. These are used for onward transport when the ripe fruit bursts and thus for widespread expansion.

In some areas, the silk hair is also used as cushioning material, for example for pillow fillings.

Fruit in key words:

• The flower forms elongated follicles with a horn-like curve at the bottom
• Length about 8-15 cm
• Reminiscent of little budgies
• Were / are arranged as figures for decorative purposes
• Abundant seed formation, seeds with a silky tuft of feathers
• Silk hair is sometimes used as a cushioning material

Which location is suitable?

The parrot plant generally likes it sunny and dry. in the Penumbra it does well, but you have to expect a less lush and not quite as fragrant flower formation. Their tall, barely branched growth also requires a rather sheltered spot.

If you want to keep the parrot plant in the bucket, the same requirements apply, but in winter you should not bring it into a warm room, but rather overwinter it in a cool place.

What soil does the plant need?

As a substrate, the parrot plant needs a loose, relatively humus-rich and above all well-drained soil and a slightly acidic soil environment. It is important to have a good drainage layer with a little sand and / or both when planting outdoors and in the bucket Clay granules to be incorporated, especially in the case of heavier, firm soils. The parrot plant cannot tolerate waterlogging at all.

Very important when planting outdoors: don't forget an effective rhizome barrier!

Water the parrot plant

You should water the parrot plant regularly but moderately. Generally speaking, dryness is better than waterlogging.

Fertilize the parrot plant properly

You can provide the parrot plant with an annual organic fertilizer in later spring. When planting you should already have some leaf compost and / or Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) in the ground, in the following spring it can also be done with compost or pelletized Cattle manure(€ 18.80 at Amazon *)re-fertilize.

A specimen kept in a bucket should be provided with a universal liquid fertilizer for flowering or container plants during the main vegetation phase through spring and summer. To do this, add something to the irrigation water every two weeks.

Hardy

As already mentioned above, the parrot plant is conditionally hardy. It tolerates light frost and can be cultivated outdoors all year round. However, you should take some protective measures both in pots and outdoors if there are long, severe cold spells. With a specimen standing in the open, you can best use the planting base mulch and / or with fir branches or Garden fleece cover. In addition, it is advisable to wrap the plant with burlap.

A specimen kept in the bucket can either be left outside and the bucket and the plant with you Wrap sackcloth, jute or the like or simply put the bucket in a frost-protected winter quarters place. It should be relatively light and cool because of the dormancy of the vegetation, more than around 10 ° C should not prevail there.

To note:

• Parrot plant is reasonably hardy
• Protect specimens cultivated outdoors as well as in pots from strong cold spells - with fir branches, garden fleece, sackcloth, etc.
• If necessary, overwinter the tub specimens indoors, but not too warm (maximum 10 ° C)

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Propagate the parrot plant

As I said - the parrot plant is now officially an EU-wide one to be decimated Plant and must be prevented from invasive spread by anyone who still has a specimen will. For this purpose, an effective rhizome barrier should be used in outdoor cultivation and the fruits should be cut off in good time before they burst and their many seeds are widely distributed.

If you want to multiply your private portfolio, you can of course do so. As a method of propagation, you can divide the plant, Cut cuttings or take seeds.

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The rhizomic root system of the parrot plant is very quick to shoot, so that you can simply cut something off to get a new specimen. Just prick a piece of root with the spade and put it either in a planting hole in the field - again provided with a rhizome barrier, of course - or in a bucket with Potting soil. Budding will probably not be long in coming.

Cuttings

You can also cut cuttings and use them in planters Potting soil Move to a bright, warm place in the house. Spring is best. The humidity can be kept more evenly under foil.

Seed cultivation

Since the fruits of the parrot plant develop a large number of easily manageable seeds, seed cultivation is particularly useful for propagation. Before harvesting, you should meticulously adjust the time when the fruit is ripe but not yet bursting. Otherwise the seeds will be distributed straight to the wind on their silk hair.

You can plant the seeds indoors all year round. Cold treatment increases the chance of germination - put the seeds in the refrigerator for about a week. Then put them in pots with potting soil and cover them only lightly. The pitch should be bright, but not too warm, around 15 to 18 ° C.
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sowing

See section Propagation 'Seed cultivation'.
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Is the parrot plant poisonous?

Like all milkweed plants, the parrot plant contains a slightly poisonous milky sap, which above all causes skin irritation. If toddlers or small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, or cats populate your home, you should refrain from purchasing it or move the plant out of reach put up. In fact, swallowing can lead to slight symptoms of intoxication.

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