Wild wine in a bucket is the right alternative! Because if it grows in a container, you can not only save space, but also decorate terraces and even the balcony with it. In the following lines you will find out what you should pay attention to when caring for it and what climbing aid you should offer it.
Virgin vine or wild wine: which is right?
In short: wild wine is the generic term and the maiden vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) actually a subspecies. Because the generic term includes many other species, including the climbing hydrangea, the clematis, the ivy, the trumpet flower and others. The maiden vine is often colloquially referred to as wild wine.
How fast does wild vine actually grow?Depending on the variety, you can expect one to two meters of growth per year, which is quite remarkable.
How wild wine is properly cared for in the bucket
Of course, it's not enough to just buy it and then put the plant in any container. Both the variety and the pot size have to be right if a wild wine is to feel comfortable and thrive in the pot.
Which varieties of maiden vine are suitable
The space for the roots in the pot is very limited and not every variety can adapt to this. So that the plant you have selected can develop well, you should also look for the right type of wine. These would be:
- Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‚Engelmannii'
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‚Veitchii‘
- Parthenocissus thomsonii
The three varieties differ broadly in their growth speed. Moderategrow quicklythomponii and Engelmanii, while Veitchii grows more easily, but for this reason requires a larger container.
If you want your wild vine to grow without adhesive disks, you will find such a variant in the climbing maiden vine. However, this is not suitable for keeping in containers.
Choose the right bucket size
While the material plays less of a role and is more a question of taste, there are two rules you should follow when it comes to size:
- To start with, pots measuring 30 x 30 cm are optimal.
- Once the plant has filled its container with roots, it should be transplanted into a larger one. This usually happens every two or three years.
Adequate drainage should not be underestimated either. Flower pots usually have sufficient drainage holes, but it is also worth adding a drainage layer made of gravel or pottery shards to the bottom of the pot so that the water can drain off easily and does not build up in the potting soil.
Where is the best place to place the plant?
The best location isin full sun. The more sun the plant gets, the more pronounced the red leaf color is in autumn. If you can't offer a south side, partial shade is enough for the plant to thrive. It can even adapt to the shade if necessary, which makes it a fairly undemanding plant. Prefer a location that is not too windy, as this encourages the Virginia creeper to shed its leaves earlier, so that fewer of its beauty can be seen.
Fertilize and water sufficiently often
It's worth adding some compost or something else when plantingorganic fertilizerto be incorporated into the potting soil. Otherwise, fertilize as follows:
- After the hibernation in spring, the first time in April.
- Every two or three weeks throughout the entire growth phase.
- Stop fertilizing in early August to reduce growth and prepare the plant for winter.
In any case, watering is done regularlyand should not be neglected, especially on hot days. As already mentioned, waterlogging is an absolute taboo, but the soil around the roots should always be moist. You can check this by sticking your finger into the soil.
Which climbing aid should be provided?
In general, maiden vines are wonderful climbers that can climb up pretty much any surface and grow over privacy walls, fences, walls and even house facades. However, this is not necessarily desirable for a potted plant (on the balcony), as you may want (or have to) move it at some point. In this case you can also use simple onesprovide a climbing aid, with a large selection available to you:
- Trellis/Trellis
- Bamboo sticks
- Constructions with (wire) ropes
How to cut the climbing plant
While outdoor shoots usually only need to be pruned, potted plants require a little more pruning to keep them under control.
- Remove wild shoots regularly during the growth phase. They differ visually from normal shoots (leaves are shaped differently and adhesive discs are missing or only present in small numbers).
- Topiary pruning is recommended once in summer to keep the potted plant compact.
- Radical cuts make it possible to make overgrown plants more compact again.
What happens to the potted plant in winter?
The good news is that the maiden vine tolerates frost very well, even in a containerwintered outsidecan be. But: The plants only reach full winter hardiness (down to minus 25 degrees) after a few years. You should therefore protect the young potted plants by, for example, wrapping the pot and spreading brushwood or leaves over the root ball. Fleece is very suitable for winter protection.
Water properly even in winter: The root ball should never be left dry for a long time, although you should definitely reduce the frequency and amount of water during the winter rest period. It is also recommended to water on frost-free days, if possible.
Cover image: phM2019/ Shutterstock
