Wreath loop ∗ Features and the 10 best care tips

origin

The wreath loop bears the scientific name Stephanotis floribunda and belongs to the silk plant family. Their home is in the mild mountain regions of Madagascar. Because of this distribution area, the plant bears the common name Madagascar jasmine. Further deposits are located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

growth

The evergreen shrub develops creeping and climbing shoots that entwine supports and other plants in the area. Due to this growth property, the wreath loop can grow between four and five meters high. Flowering and non-flowering shoots are formed.

leaves

The foliage is leathery, coarse and dark green in color. The leaves are up to nine centimeters long and form a contrast to the flowers. Their surface is surrounded by a shiny layer. The leaf blade is oval shaped and tapering to a point. It is traversed by a light central rib. The leaves sit on short stems in opposite pairs of leaves on the shoot.

blossom

The leaf axils give rise to gold-like inflorescences, which are made up of white flowers. The petals are protected by a waxy coating. They exude an intense scent that is reminiscent of jasmine. The flowers can be seen between spring and late summer. Wreath loops bloom as house plants from June to September.

fruit

After successful fertilization, the flowers turn into plum-like fruits. It takes a year for the fruit to ripen, which is why the plant has to convert a lot of energy during this time. When the fruits are ripe, they spring up and release the brownish seeds. Its surface is covered with silver flakes. Indoor plants rarely produce fruit because of the lack of pollinators.

use

The shoots of the wreath loops are woven into a wreath and sold as a pot plant. In this form you can cultivate the plant for one to two years. You should then provide the plant with a trellis or a climbing aid on which the shoots can climb. The pots decorate window sills indoors and can be placed in temperature-controlled winter gardens. With its climbing shoots, the wreath loop is suitable for planting hanging hanging baskets right next to the window.

Is it poisonous?

Stephanotis floribunda is highly poisonous in all parts of the plant. The sap can cause irritation on contact with the skin. Consumption leads to symptoms of intoxication. You should not place the wreath loop in the nursery and out of the reach of pets. Fallen leaves, flowers and fruits should be disposed of regularly.

The scent of flowers can cause headaches and dizziness. The air smells intensely during the flowering period, especially in small rooms, so you should ensure regular ventilation.

Which location is suitable?

The exotic plants prefer a bright location without direct sunlight. A year-round illuminance of 1,000 lux is ideal. If the room is too dark, the shoots will grow long and bulky. The flowers are less lush. During the summer months, wreath loops enjoy a place at the east or west facing window. If your plant is in the south-facing window, you should weaken the sun's rays with curtains or light-hungry plants. In winter, place the plant under a plant lamp (€ 28.43 on Amazon *) so that the light conditions remain even.

Once you have found the optimal location, the wreath loop should not be relocated. A change of room can cause the plant to lose leaves and flowers.

Ideal conditions:

airy place without cold drafts
warm location without heat build-up
in summer between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius
from October to March 13 to 16 degrees Celsius

What soil does the plant need?

Commercially available potting soil is sufficient for cultivation. Pay attention to high quality soil, because cheap soil compacts quickly. Wreath loops require a substrate with good water and nutrient regulation. They place high demands on the buffer force. For healthy growth, the pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.

The buffering power of the substrate prevents:

Increase or decrease the pH
excessive water evaporation from the earth
Variations in nutrient content
Salt enrichment at the root tips

Mix the substrate

You can mix a substrate with two parts of compost-based potting soil, two parts of potting soil with a loamy portion, one part of quartz sand, perlite, lava granulate (€ 10.95 at Amazon *) or grus yourself. In this earth the wreath loop remains healthy and resistant to pest infestation and diseases.

Increase the wreath loop

When pruning, there is material that you can use to grow fresh young plants. The fruits are suitable for seed production which, with a little patience, will produce young plants. The seeds are ready to germinate when the fruit has ripened.

sowing

In the fall, collect the fruit from the plants and remove the seeds from the pulp. Let the seeds air dry and store them in a dry place at room temperature until next spring. The seeds are sown when the time comes for repotting and pruning.

Use special potting soil for sowing. Spread the seeds evenly and cover them thinly with soil. The planters are placed in a light place at room temperature. The seeds take several weeks to germinate. The young plants then need a lot of moisture and uniform warmth to grow.

Cuttings

Between spring and early summer, you can cut head cuttings from a healthy mother plant. The shoots should be between eight and twelve inches long. Remove the bottom pair of leaves and stick the end with the cut into a moistened mixture of sand and peat.

Cover the vessel with a plastic bag and place it in a bright place with temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. It takes eight to ten weeks for the first roots to develop. To promote root formation, you can brush the interface of the cutting with a rooting hormone.

Pour wreath loop

The water requirement is high during the growth phase. The pot ball must not dry out between spring and autumn. Short drying times damage the wreath loop. Pour as soon as the top layer of substrate has dried slightly. If the water seeps from the drain holes, stop watering. After 20 minutes, you should pour the collected water out of the coaster. Watering is more economical during the resting phase. Let the root ball dry halfway before the next watering unit. Avoid waterlogging.

Fertilize the wreath loop properly

Between March and August, wreath loops are fertilized every three to four weeks. Use a liquid complete fertilizer in low concentration. Alternatively, you can insert a fertilizer stick (€ 1.45 at Amazon *) into the substrate so that the plant is supplied for a longer period of time. In the resting phase, the fertilization is completely stopped.

Cut the wreath loop correctly

Before the new shoot comes, you can cut back wreath loops. This measure is possible from February to April. If individual shoots have become too long, they are shortened to a third. Cut non-woody shoots with a sharp knife. Lignified tendrils are cut off with secateurs.

How do I transplant properly?

In the spring, shortly before the new shoot begins, wreath loops are repotted. Completely free the root ball from the substrate and remove dead roots with a sharp knife. If possible, living roots should not be shortened, as damage to the plant can be caused. The new vessel should be one or two sizes larger than the old one. As soon as the plant grows in a planter with a diameter of 20 centimeters, it no longer has to be moved annually.

When to repot:

Plant is top heavy
The substrate has become densely packed
Roots grow out of the drainage holes
roots are visible on the surface

Overwinter

The resting phase begins in September, when the ring loops stop growing. The plants are sparingly watered until February so that the pot ball does not dry out completely. In winter quarters, the temperature should be between twelve and 15 degrees Celsius. A frost-free and unheated room or a place by the north window is ideal. The plants place high demands on the light. A bright location is also necessary in winter.

This is how you provide the plants with light:

Attach the light source 20 centimeters above the plant
Fluorescent tubes or LED lamps are suitable
no light source is required at window locations

Pests

The plants are occasionally attacked by pests that multiply in overly dry conditions in winter quarters. Spray solutions made from water and soft soap have proven effective in combating this. Spray the mixture on the plant and let the solution work for about 30 minutes. Then the plant is cleaned with clear water.

Spider mites

These pests settle in leaf axils and indented leaf margins. They leave behind fine webs that become visible when sprayed with water.

Mealybug

The insects leave webs on the leaves of the wreath loop that are reminiscent of cotton balls. They suck on the leaves and linger in one place for a long time.

Scale insects

Check the plant regularly for a scale insect infestation. They sit under their arched shield and are well camouflaged by their coloring.

Yellow leaves

Care errors quickly lead to leaf discoloration. If the foliage of the wreath loop turns yellow, too high a calcium content in the irrigation water may be the cause.

Tips

Wreath loops are solitary plants that are particularly effective individually. Tie up the long shoots on a bent wire. The more luxuriant the plant grows, the more it blooms.

sorts

Variegata : foliage variegated green-yellow. Flowers between May and October, flowers white. Up to 300 centimeters high.

Maintain the wreath loop properly