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| VINE-COVERED SANS SOUCI BOOKSTORE DRAWS INTEREST | |
| Published: July 21, 1997 | |
Five different vines grow compatibly on walls of historic buildingQ:There is a vigorous vine growing on the former Sans Souci Bookstore building at the corner of Vermilion and Taylor Streets across from the fire station. The building has always been quaint and interesting, and the vine adds to the appeal. Can you identify it?A:Dr. Ellis Fletcher says that there are actually five vines co-existing peacefully on the walls of the old building. The two most prominent are Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). The exotic Japanese climbing fern, according to Dr. Fletcher, is obviously happy in Acadiana and has become widely naturalized to the extent that it climbs over whatever gets in its way, including shrubs, fences and buildings.In areas along the wall where the two vines are sharing the same space, one must look twice to figure which did what. Apparently the Virginia creeper "creeped" up the wall first, and the climbing fern did its thingclimbed up on the Virginia creeper. Virginia creeper, the more mannerly of the two vines, grows quickly in most soils and exposures. This deciduous native provides beautiful red to maroon fall color, and during summer an excellent look-alike for English ivy. The dark blue fruits are produced in long clusters in early autumn and are an important source of food for migrating birds. When will flowering vine flower?Q:I planted rosa de montana seeds three years ago. They sprouted then froze last winter, but I managed to save some roots. They are planted by a trellis, doing well, putting out leaves and tendrils. When will they bloom?A:Antigonon leptopus, better known as coral vine or rosa de montana, blooms during summer and fall to frost. Because yours is still a young plant, bloom may be delayed to late summer or fall, or perhaps not until next summer. The vine will normally will die back after the first frost, at which time the foliage should be cut back to the ground. It will return from the roots in early spring as yours did.Coral vine grows best in full sun, but will tolerate most conditions except full shade and heavy, moist soil. Fertilize once in late winter (February), then withhold fertilizer. Too much vegetative growth will result in fewer summer flowers. Cut back leggy summer annuals nowQ:I have three non-stop begonias planted in medium-size ceramic pots. They are getting quite tall and top-heavy. How tall will they get and should I replant in larger pots?A:When they are tall enough, which is about 18 inches, they start to get top-heavy. Most of the warm-weather annual that we plant in March and April get leggy by July unless we regularly pinch them back as young plants, which we seldom do. Begonias and impatiens in particular usually need to be cut back in July and fertilized for late summer or early fall bloom. Cut stems back to four to six inches and fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro. Repotting is not needed.Reader locates recipe for baking soda fungicideThe recipe for baking soda-based fungicide that you were looking for calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 quart water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap or cooking oil to help mixture to adhere. |