GardenSeeker.Co.Uk Pruning Businesses Search Gardening Gifts

Aeschynanthus lobbianus - Lipstick Plant Vine Care

How to care and look after the Lipstick Vine

Though often referred to as a vine, the Lipstick plant is not a natural climber, but more of a trailing plant. The best show indoors is when suspended from high in a hanging pot. This way the flowers can be seen more effectively.

They can also be persuaded to grow up a small trellis - but will need tying in to do so. Its natural habit is 'floppy'!

The Plant: Pouting scarlet flowers amidst bronze-green fleshy leaves, an epiphytic plant from South-East Asia including the Indonesian Islands. The flower buds are the source of the common name - Lipstick Plant.



Care of Lipstick Plant -Aeschynanthus lobbianus

The Lipstick Plant indoors - aptly named

Aeschyanthus needs good filtered light, but not in direct sun shine. Good light is necessary for flowering for it will rarely flower well if grown in a darker position of the room. Well-draining, loose open compost, regular watering, warmth and high humidity is essential.


Feed through the growing season, but reduce watering in winter. Avoid winter chill. Remove dead flowers. Trim stems to tidy plant in spring or autumn. .

Good for bright cheerful colour, can trail from hanging baskets or be trained to climb up short wire frame.

Problems with Lipstick Plant

A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Your Lipstick Plant

The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular houseplant known for its vibrant, tube-shaped flowers. However, like any other plant, it can encounter a few problems. Here's how to identify and solve common issues.

Overwatering

Signs: Yellowing leaves, wilting, and root rot are common signs of overwatering.

Solution: Reduce your watering schedule. Lipstick plants prefer their soil to dry out partially between waterings. If root rot has set in, you may need to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.

Underwatering

Signs: Brown, crispy leaf edges, drooping or wilting, and slow growth indicate underwatering.

Solution: Increase your watering frequency but ensure the plant isn't sitting in water. It's best to water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Signs: Yellow or pale leaves, stunted growth, and fewer flowers can point to nutrient deficiencies.

Solution: Feed your lipstick plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (spring to early fall). Follow the package instructions for dilution rates.

Pests

Signs: Look out for tiny insects like aphids, spider mites, or scale. They may cause discoloration, sticky residue on leaves, or a general decline in plant health.

Solution: Use a soft cloth to wipe off pests or treat the plant with a mild insecticidal soap. In severe cases, you might need to use a systemic insecticide.

Diseases

Signs: Fungal diseases can cause spots or patches on leaves, while bacterial diseases can result in wilting or rot.

Solution: Improve ventilation around the plant, avoid overwatering, and remove any affected plant parts. Fungicides or bactericides may be necessary for severe infections.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Lipstick plants prefer bright, indirect light, high humidity, and temperatures between 70-85°F. They enjoy well-draining soil— a mix of peat moss, perlite, and potting soil works well.

Pruning and Repotting

Pruning: Regular pruning helps promote bushier growth. Prune in early spring before the growing season begins, cutting back up to one-third of the plant.

Repotting: Repot your lipstick plant every 2-3 years, or when it becomes root-bound. Spring is the best time to repot. Choose a pot one size larger than the current one and use fresh, well-draining potting mix.

Remember, every plant is unique and may not follow exact guidelines. Observe your lipstick plant closely and adjust care as needed. With proper attention and care, your lipstick plant will thrive, providing you with a stunning display of unique, vibrant flowers.

Check for aphids on the younger growing part in particular. If the plant seems generally jaded, then close inspection of the stem and leaf joints for mealybug, and under the leaves for scale insect.

Propagation of Lipstick Plant Vines

A Comprehensive Guide to Propagating Lipstick Plant Vines

The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a beautiful, tropical vine known for its bright, tubular flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick. Here's how you can propagate it using three different methods: air layering, stem cutting, and leaf cutting.

1. Air Layering

Air layering is a propagation method that involves inducing root growth on the stem while it's still attached to the parent plant.

Steps:
  • Choose the right time. The best time to propagate through air layering is during the active growing season, ideally in spring or early summer.
  • Select a healthy stem. Look for a mature, healthy stem that's at least a foot long.
  • Make an incision. Using a sharp knife, make a 1-2 inch upward slanting cut halfway through the stem.
  • Induce rooting. Apply rooting hormone to the cut, then wrap it with damp sphagnum moss.
  • Wrap the stem. Cover the moss with plastic wrap, securing it with twine or tape at both ends.
  • Wait for roots to appear. This can take anywhere from 3 weeks to several months.
  • Cut and plant. Once roots have formed, cut the stem below the new root ball and pot it up.
Potential Problems and Solutions:
  • Moss drying out: Ensure the moss stays moist by checking it regularly.
  • No roots forming: If no roots form after several months, try making a fresh cut and reapplying rooting hormone.
Pros and Cons:
  • Pros: Allows for larger, more established plants.
  • Cons: Can be a slower process and requires more care and attention.

2. Stem Cutting

Stem cutting involves removing a part of the parent plant and allowing it to root independently.

Steps:
  • Choose the right time. Early summer is the ideal time for stem cuttings.
  • Select a healthy stem. Choose a stem with several leaf nodes.
  • Make a cut. Make a clear cut just below a node.
  • Prepare the cutting. Remove leaves from the lower half of the cutting and apply rooting hormone to the cut end.
  • Plant the cutting. Place the cut end into a pot with well-draining soil.
  • Care for the cutting. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight.

Potential Problems and Solutions:

  • Cutting wilting: If the cutting starts to wilt, it may not be getting enough humidity. Try covering it with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse.
  • No roots forming: If no roots form after several weeks, the cutting may not have been viable. Try again with a new cutting.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: Quick and easy method, suitable for beginners.
  • Cons: Not all cuttings will take root, so success rate can be variable.

3. Leaf Cutting

Leaf cutting involves rooting a leaf or a section of a leaf.

Steps:
  • Choose the right time. Spring or early summer is the best time for leaf cuttings.
  • Select a healthy leaf. Choose a mature, disease-free leaf.
  • Prepare the leaf. Cut the leaf into sections, each with a main vein.
  • Plant the leaf. Lay the leaf sections flat on the surface of moist, well-draining soil.
  • Care for the leaf. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight.

Potential Problems and Solutions:

  • Leaf rotting: If the leaf starts to rot, it may be too wet. Ensure the soil is well-draining and only lightly moist.
  • No roots forming: If no roots form after several weeks, the leaf section may not have been viable. Try again with a new leaf.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: Easy method and allows for multiple new plants from a single leaf.
  • Cons: Not all leaf sections will root, and those that do can take longer to grow into a sizeable plant.

Remember to always use clean tools when propagating to prevent the spread of disease, and be patient - propagation can take time. With these techniques, you can easily multiply your lipstick plant collection and share them with others. Happy planting!

Easy to take softwood cuttings in spring and semi ripe cuttings later in the year. Can also be rooted by layering methods. 


 






extraAdvert


Popular Gardening Sections

Card image cap
Sections

Learn - all aspects of lawn maintenance, how to build and maintain a pond, care and grow vegetables and fruit, fit for your table.

Sections
Card image cap
Problems

Identify Weeds in The Garden - How to deal with weeds. Diseases and Pest which harm your garden and plants, learn how to prevent, deter and erradicate your garden problems.

Garden Problems
Card image cap
Pruning

Pruning Guide. Shrubs flower better with correct pruning. Many illustrations and examples of what to do - and when. Includes evergreens, roses, flowering shrubs, spring flowering shrubs and pruning for stem effect. This is our most viewed and comprehensive section,

Pruning
Card image cap
Gardening Businesses

Gardening Businesses listed in the UK counties and USA states. County and State Listings of businesses involved in Garden supplies and services. If you wish to be added to the Directory, please send us your information. Having problems, use the search box

Businesses
Card image cap
Gardening

In this section you will learn about Gardening Basics, Containers, Landscaping, Propagation and Soil.

Gardening

Copyright © GardenSeeker.Co.UK - 2000 - 2022

Advertising listing / Privacy Policy
Contact Us

| DMCA.com Protection Status