Basically, a single plant of the virgin vine (Parthenocissus), also known as "wild wine", is sufficient to completely green a house wall, a fence or similar over time - the plants can be more than 12 meters high and several meters wide. For this reason, Virginia creeper should also be planted at least two meters apart, so that the individual specimens do not have to compete unnecessarily for space and nutrients. In addition, the young vine reaches an age of 50 and more years. Ergo, there are not many reasons to propagate Virginia creeper - but sometimes it makes sense. We'll tell you the best way to do this.
Virginia creeper can be easily propagated by cutting lengths or cuttings
Propagation via cuttings
Virginia creeper cuttings are best cut in late summer or early autumn (i.e. around the end of August / beginning of September), as they are already fairly ripe by then. Select this year's shoots with a length of between 15 and 25 centimetres, although you should always remove any flowers and fruit buds that may still be present. These only unnecessarily rob the plant of energy, which it urgently needs for its rooting.
- Remove all but the top two leaves.
- Remove all side shoots.
- Halve the remaining leaves leaving less room for evaporation.
- Keep the cutting surface as slanted as possible
- because that way the cuttings can absorb water more easily.
- Plant the cuttings in a mixture of compost and sand
- or in conventional potting soil.
- Place the plant pot in a light and warm place
- and water the cuttings regularly.
Overwinter the little plant frost-free, but cool at a maximum of 12 degrees Celsius. From around the middle to the end of May - ergo after the ice saints - the young virgin vine can finally be planted outdoors.
Particularly uncomplicated: propagation via layering
Propagation via sinkers is probably even easier. In contrast to cuttings, these are not cut off, but remain on the mother plant until they are successfully rooted. To do this, bend a suitable shoot down to the ground, scratch it slightly and plant it directly in the ground. Weight the shoot down with a stone or fix it with a wire so that it does not slip out of its planting hole. It also makes sense to cover the sinker with brushwood or leaves over the winter to protect it from the cold. In the following year, the now rooted shoot can be separated and planted directly outdoors.
tips
In contrast to the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) grown for the production of grapes and wine, Parthenocissus does not need to be grafted. In any case, the plant cannot be used for fruit-growing purposes, as its fruits are considered slightly poisonous due to the oxalic acid content.