Growing kobei - chic, beautifully blooming creeper

Kobei climbing is a plant of the Binyukh family. This is a rhizome fast-growing liana. Its flowers are beautiful, differently colored (depending on the variety). The shape is reminiscent of a bell, very large (in diameter up to 15 cm with a 20 cm tube), inclined so as to form a landing site for pollinators. In the tropics pollinators are small bats. Stamens and pestle extend beyond the flower.

Using the antennae, which grows from the sinuses of the pinnate leaves, the liana clings and extends upwards. Leaves in the bright sun get a bronze shade. Excellent for landscaping gazebos, fences, balconies climbing. The photo shows well the resulting beauty.

The tropical origin does not allow to grow it as perennial, i.e. in one place and without transplantations. Even with a slight cooling, leaves die. But the roots with a part of the stem can be excavated before frost and stored indoors.

Growing kobei need to start with seedlings. In February, seeds must be germinated. To do this, the tissue or paper napkin should be moistened, in one half, place the seeds and cover with the second half, sprinkle with water when drying. If the seeds form a sticky mold, then it must be washed off under running water, change the napkin and wait for germination.

Seeds begin to peck in about 7-10 days. As soon as the sprout appears, the seed should be planted in a separate container (it is advisable to use 400 gram beakers), after having closed it by 0.7 cm, pour it with a solution of the growth stimulant. Cover the pot with a glass or a transparent film. Every day, ventilate and clean the condensate.

Seedlings appear in a week and grow very quickly. For example, in the evening there was still no germ, and in the morning it was already stretched to 5 cm, - the stem is sturdy, and the cotyledon leaves are about 1.5 cm in length. Cultivation of kobei is very exciting.

Seedlings need to put the support at least 1 m, otherwise it will cling to everything that gets in the way. To pinch it is not necessary, since early branching will create problems during transplantation. By the time of transplantation, the height of the seedling usually reaches more than 1 m.

Plant it in the ground can be with full confidence that there will be no more frost. The place for planting is sunny, the soil is fertile, drained. Before transplanting, care must be taken to support the plant so that it can immediately catch on to it.

Growing kobei will be less problematic if the root system is not damaged during transplantation. During the vegetation period, regular watering, weed removal and feeding are necessary. Despite this, the plant rarely blooms in the first year.

In the soil, the liane should be kept as long as possible, in the autumn it is desirable to soil the soil so that the first frosts do not damage the underground kidneys.

For the winter, cord-like roots with a stem cut at a height of 40 cm are placed in a large container and stored in a cool room. Cultivation of kobei in the rest period should take place with minimal regular watering, but with sufficient light.

In spring, when the buds begin to germinate, the plant needs to be moved to a warm light room, increased watering and fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. Land in the ground, when climatic conditions permit.

Cultivation of kobei in the second and subsequent years is accompanied by abundant flowering, which begins in July and continues until the first frost.