The bell vine (Cobaea scandens), also known as bell bindweed, is an annual, fast-growing climbing plant native to subtropical Mexico. In its natural environment, this vine can grow up to 9 or 12 m tall. You should keep this in mind if you decide to grow the bell vine on the balcony. What else you need to know about CObaea ClimbingYou can find out how to enjoy it in your home in this article.
How to Classify Outdoor Climbing Plants?
Interestingly, not every climbing plant that grows on the balcony has the same or similar needs.Climbing plants for balconiesrequire different care and often grow at different speeds. For this reason they can be divided into several groups. This way, not only will you know how to care for them, but it will also be easier to choose the right type that meets your expectations.
First of all, climbing plants can be divided into annual and perennial plants. The former (like bell vine) are much easier to cultivate and are therefore well suited for beginner gardeners. An annual outdoor climbing plant can be planted in a simple plastic container. If you follow the general rules for plant care, you can enjoy the greenery all season long. Perennial outdoor climbing plants are a little more demanding and difficult to grow. In this case, we recommend avoiding plastic containers and replacing them with stone or wooden containers. Make sure there is good drainage.
Outdoor climbing plants can also be divided into slow-growing and fast-growing plants. With slow-growing plants, you may even have to wait several years for the results. They are typically picked by homeowners. Fast-growing climbing plants (like bell vine) are usually found on city balconies. Because they grow so quickly, you should choose a support for them immediately to avoid damage. Various bamboo or metal sticks and supports are perfect for this purpose.
How to care for bell vine on the balcony
The bell vine grows so quickly that it is usually not grown from the nursery but from seeds. Sow the seeds directly into one in the springPot on the balcony, after the threat of frost has passed, or start building your seasonal balcony garden six to eight weeks before the last frost in spring. If you want to grow bell vine on the balcony, the pot must be large and heavy enough to support the weight of the vine, as well as any other structure for it to climb.
Keep in mind that this sprawling vine can easily engulf neighboring plants. So start by letting young and pliable vines grow up a structure or trellis and they will do it from there. To control the size of the plant, cut off the shoots when they reach the top of the support - this encourages branching and bud setting. There is no need to remove the flowers.
Whichhas needsCobaea Scandens on light, soil & water
Bell vine location: This fast-growing climbing plantneeds full sun to bloom well. If you live in a particularly hot climate, your vines can probably tolerate some afternoon shade, but you should still aim for at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day.
Boden:Although the bell vine is not picky,what the pH valueor soil type, but needs well-drained soil to thrive. Additionally, if you incorporate some organic matter into the soil, your plant will grow and bloom vigorously even without fertilizer.
Water:During the plant's growing season, it needs to be watered regularly - the soil should drain between waterings, but not dry out completely. To achieve this balance, check the top few inches of soil with your finger - if it's dry, it's time to water. You can drastically reduce watering intervals to about once a month during the winter months.
Growing bell vines on the balcony – pay attention to temperature and fertilizer
Temperature:If you sow bell vine seeds directly on the balcony, you should note that youngGuinea Pig Climbingare sensitive to cold. Therefore, protect them especially when the temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius.
Fertilizer:Be sparing with fertilizer, otherwise you will encourage too much vine growth and too few flowers. If necessary, you can plant in mid-summerfertilize with compostto give it an extra nutritional boost.
Planting bell glories from seeds
Guinea Pig ClimbingSelf-seeds readily, and the seedlings can be transplanted to other locations if you wish to spread your vines. You can also collect the seeds to plant anywhere. They are large, flat and tough, so soaking them in water the night before planting will speed germination. Germination may be irregular, but you should see seedlings within two to four weeks. Because the vines become tangled, you should plant them in separate pots with regular potting soil. It can also be helpful to stick a trellis directly into the pots to keep the vines under control from the start.
Common Pests and Diseases:Bell vine can attract aphids, especially when the plants are young and succulent. Frequent spraying with water or a few treatments with insecticidal soap should keep them at bay. Older plants can also be attacked by spider mites, especially in dry weather.
