Schizophragma: Potted Plant Perennial
How to Plant
Planting Potted Plants:
- Choose a location in partial sun with loose, well-drained organic soil. Make sure your schizophragma is planted next to a wall, trellis or pergola on which it will climb.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12 inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.
- The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.
- Plant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce transplant shock.
- Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.
- Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth.
- Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.
- Use the plant tag as a location marker.
- Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.
How to Grow
- Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their germination.
- Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For perennials, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
- Careful watering is essential in getting perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry. One inch of rain or watering per week is recommended for most perennial plants. You can check to see if you need to add water by using a rain gauge.
- After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.
Growing Tips
- Schizophragma is a vigorous vine that attaches to flat vertical surfaces with its aerial roots from the stem. Be prepared for it to cover large areas.
- Prune in late winter to early spring.
Common Diseases
Botrytis: This fungus causes a grey mold on flowers, leaves, stems and buds. It thrives in cool wet weather conditions. Burpee Recommends: Remove affected plant parts, avoid watering at night and getting water on the plant when watering. Make sure plants have good air circulation. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations.
Powdery Mildew: This fungus disease occurs on the top of the leaves in humid weather conditions. The leaves appear to have a whitish or greyish surface and may curl. Burpee Recommends: Avoid powdery mildew by providing good air circulation for the plants by good spacing and pruning. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations.
Ring Spot Virus: This causes circular areas on the foliage with concentric bands of dark and light green. Eventually the tissue dies in the middle of the ring. Burpee Recommends: There is no cure for this disease. To prevent its spread, remove the plant from your garden.
Rust: A number of fungus diseases cause rust colored spots on foliage and stalks. Burpee Recommends: Provide good air circulation. Do not get water on foliage when watering. Remove affected plant parts. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations.
Common Pest and Cultural Problems
Aphids: Greenish, red, black or peach colored sucking insects can spread disease as they feed on the undersides of leaves. They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants. Burpee Recommends: Introduce or attract natural predators into your garden such as lady beetles and wasps which feed on aphids. You can also wash them off with a strong spray, or use an insecticidal soap.
Leaftiers: Small green caterpillars ½ inch long with dark brown heads eat the foliage and protect themselves in the leaves by webbing the sides together. Burpee Recommends: Crush the caterpillars in the leaves. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations if the problem is severe.
Rose Chafers: Beetles skeletonize leaves. Burpee Recommends: Hand pick beetles, or try milky spore.
Scale: Small bugs look like brown, black, gray to white bumps on the stems of plants. Scale may not have any apparent legs and may not move. Scales have a sucking mouth part. Scale may produce honeydew so leaves and stems may be sticky. Scale can weaken the plant causing it to grow very slowly and may wilt at the middle of the day. Burpee Recommends: Completely spray the stems with insecticidal soap. For a severe infestation contact your local County Extension Service for recommendation for your area.
Spider Mites: These tiny spider-like pests are about the size of a grain of pepper. They may be red, black, brown or yellow. They suck on the plant juices removing chlorophyll and injecting toxins which cause white dots on the foliage. There is often webbing visible on the plant. They cause the foliage to turn yellow and become dry and stippled. They multiply quickly and thrive in dry conditions. Burpee Recommends: Spider mites may be controlled with a forceful spray every other day. Try hot pepper wax or insecticidal soap. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service for miticide recommendations.
Schizophragma FAQs
Why are the leaves of my schizophragma stuck together? It sounds like you may have leaftiers. Look for small green worms in the leaves and hand pick if you see them.
Can I cut the flowers of my schizophragma? Yes, they add drama to a bouquet and are good for drying.
Why hasn’t my schizophragma bloomed yet? These are relatively slow vines to establish a root system and may take two or three years to bloom. Once they establish roots, in good garden conditions they should bloom reliably.
Is schizophragma native? Schizophragma is native to Japan.