For vigorous growth without much work on your part , it ’s laborious to shell coral vine ( Antigonon leptopus ) . The perennial vine grows from a tuberous root . It ’s evergreen plant in modest mood but gets killed back in areas with frosts to regrow in spring . It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 . Its heart - shaped leaves embrace vine that can reach 30 to 40 groundwork long . Pink efflorescence appear from summer to hang , with bloodless prime on the cultivar " Album " and ruby prime on " Baja Red . "

Step 1

Coral vine will grow in most any kind of soil . In its Mexican homeland , it grows in canyon where the soil is deeper and richer than open habitats , but in the garden the vine tolerates a spacious variety of condition . Although coral vine prefer moist soil with dependable drainage , it tolerates drought once it ’s institute . For the best growth , water the vine profoundly once a month during the summertime if drouth condition prevail . In the desert Southwest , coral vine can grow without tearing , but it may die back during the summer .

Sun and Support

For the best flower production , put coral vine in full sun , although it support partial spook . In cool summertime domain , provide the quick , sunniest spot . The vine ’s vigorous growth can cut across a trellis or bower and give you summer shade . It will also clamber up trees and nearby structures , using its tendril . Choose a spot wisely because it will cover any surface .

Step 2

Pruning and Fertilizing

Keep an eye on coral vine if you live in a warm clime . It may postulate repeated cutting back during its grow time of year to keep it under control . In USDA geographical zone 10 , it can continue originate and flower all year . In USDA zones 9 and 8 , remove the frost - killed vine from the trellis or supports before fresh increment begins in saltation . Use sharp pruning shears , pass over with a textile dip in itch alcohol , before pruning . you could cut growth back severely in the wintertime to renew coral vine ’s growth . Coral vine generally does n’t need fertilizer because the growing is rampant enough without extra nitrogen . For container plants , if you want more vigorous growth , put on a oecumenical - purpose , water - soluble fertiliser such as 20 - 20 - 20 in early summer . practice half - strength at a rate of 1/4 teaspoonful per 2 quart of water until the solution comes out the container ’s drain muddle .

Other Considerations

In USDA geographical zone 8 , cover the soil around coral vine with a thick level of mulch to forbid dusty damage to the roots . In areas below USDA zone 8 , grow coral vine as a container industrial plant and bring it indoors before frost is predicted for your area , or grow it as an yearly . Coral vine is considered invasive in some area . The vine is n’t trouble by any disease or pestilence , though caterpillars can sometime chew the leaves but wo n’t bolt down the industrial plant . Handpick the caterpillars and unload them into a bucket of buttery body of water .

References

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