The pipe winch has many different names. It is known as the ghost plant or ghost flower. But the climbing plant was wrongly given this name, because it convinces with a lush mass of leaves and a stately growth.

The pipe bindweed is a lush green climber

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. leaves
  3. blossom
  4. growth
  5. use
  6. Is pipevine poisonous?
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. What soil does the plant need?
  9. What is the best planting time?
  10. The right planting distance
  11. Pipevine in the pot
  12. balcony
  13. increase pipevine
  14. cuttings
  15. Pour Pipevine
  16. Fertilize the pipe bindweed properly
  17. Properly trimming the pipe winch
  18. How do I plant correctly?
  19. Diseases
  20. pests
  21. hardy
  22. sorts
  23. origin

    The pipevine bears the Latin name Aristolochia macrophylla. It is also known as the American pipevine. This designation indicates the original distribution area of the plant. It grows in the mountain forests of North America and climbs to altitudes of up to 1,300 meters. Their area extends from Pennsylvania to Georgia. It occurs west of Minnesota and Kansas.

    It was the American botanist John Bartram who discovered this plant. In 1761, he sent pipe bindweed seeds to his English colleague Peter Collinson, who was the first to grow pipe bindweed. After this event, the creeper gained increasing popularity as an ornamental plant.

    leaves

    Pipe vines develop alternately arranged leaves, the blade of which is simple. The foliage is dark green in color on the upper side and is reminiscent of a heart in shape. The underside of the leaf appears light green. The leaves have a four to six centimeter long stalk. They can be between seven and 34 centimeters long and ten to 35 centimeters wide.

    The leaves lie on top of each other like roof tiles. This growth form serves as a protection against evaporation in the hot summer months, because the foliage prevents the soil from drying out. The leaves are developed in May and remain on the plant until November. The foliage of the older branches is larger than the fresh leaves of the first year.

    blossom

    The creepers develop solitary flowers that appear in the leaf axils. They are stalked and hermaphroditic. The flowers consist of three outer and three inner bracts. While the outer bracts are yellow-green in color, the inner ones appear brown. All six leaves are fused together. The flower is reminiscent of the shape of a tobacco pipe.

    The flowering period begins in late spring. Depending on the weather, the flowers appear in June or July. The inconspicuous flowers, from which fruits rarely develop, appear well into the summer.

    growth

    Aristolochia macrophylla grows as a left-handed liana. It grows between ten and twenty feet tall. Plant heights of around twelve meters are typical under Central European conditions. In the first few years after planting, the plant invests a lot of energy in root development. Annual shoot growth is low during this phase. When the pipevine is well established, the growth spurts will increase. Mature plants grow at a rate of two meters per year.

    use

    The creeper is used to green house walls, larger trees, pergolas and arbors or pavilions. She climbs up any trellis that is near her. These can be gutters or fixtures on windows. The plant is perfect as a privacy screen, because its dense foliage catches prying eyes. At the same time, the pipe bindweed develops into a shade provider on climbing aids.

    Velvet hydrangeas, Japanese aralia, climbing hydrangeas, mahonia or various types of bamboo are suitable as planting partners. The pipe bindweed harmonizes perfectly with rhododendron species and the trumpet tree.

    Is pipevine poisonous?

    Aristolochia macrophylla is poisonous in all parts of the plant. It contains aristolochic acids, which are concentrated to varying degrees in leaves, roots, fruits and flowers. Animals should not eat the leaves as the ingredients are carcinogenic.

    Possible poisoning effects in humans:

    • kidney damage
    • nausea and vomiting
    • low blood pressure or increased heart rate

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    Which location is suitable?

    The Pipe Morning Glory grows in a partially shaded to shaded location. It prefers moist conditions in the substrate. The higher the moisture content in the soil, the sunnier the growing area can be. If you plant the pipe bindweed in a sunny spot, the base of the plant should be in the shade. This will prevent the sun from drying out the soil.

    Pipevines prefer a sheltered location as their large leaves could be damaged in strong winds. Give the plant opportunities to spread. Climbing aids are ideal supports that the plant can climb up.
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    What soil does the plant need?

    A well-drained soil ensures ideal growth conditions for the plant. A humic soil, in which numerous microorganisms occur, provides perfect properties. This soil life ensures a continuous loosening of the substrate, whereby the permeability is maintained. For particularly heavy and solid soil, mix some sand under the substrate before planting.

    What is the best planting time?

    Plant pipe vines between mid-March and late April. Wait for the last late frosts, as these could damage the tender roots. Before you put the plant in its future location, you should place the root ball in a bucket filled with water. Wait for it to soak up water.

    Dig a planting hole and ensure optimal permeability. Set up a climbing frame so that the pipevine can flourish. Place the root ball in the planting hole and fill in the gaps with the excavation. Tread the substrate gently and water the plant deeply.

    The right planting distance

    Adult pipe vines can reach a width of up to four meters. If you want to place several plants next to each other, you should take into account the ability of the pipe bindweed to spread. Plant the plants at a distance of at least half of the desired extension of the creeper.

    Pipevine in the pot

    Pipe bindweed is perfect for pot cultivation. You need a large and deep pot that is at least 40 centimeters high. As long as you ensure an optimal water supply, you can place the bucket in both sunny and shady places. In the pot, the pipe winder proves to be a mobile privacy screen for seating areas, gardens and courtyards. Small-leaved species are better suited for use in tubs, as they require less water and are not damaged even in windy locations.

    balcony

    Since the pipe bindweed also grows in pots, it is ideal for beautifying balconies. It also grows in the flower box (€16.99) if it is provided with a stable climbing aid. If the window box is deep enough, the creepers will do well in the limited space. In this way, the plant provides shade and acts as a privacy screen.

    increase pipevine

    Pipe bindweed rarely develops seeds, as they do not flower particularly profusely in their original range. They focus on vegetative propagation. When your pipevine develops fruit, you can pick it and let it dry.

    Use small pots that have been filled with potting soil. Scatter the seeds onto the substrate in spring and cover them lightly with soil. To keep the humidity constant, you should put a transparent bag over the cultivation vessel. The seeds will soon begin to germinate in a bright and warm place on the windowsill where the temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius.

    How to propagate pipe vines via sinkers:

    • tend to the ground with a strong drive
    • loosen the soil
    • Score the shoots crosswise and place them on the loosened soil
    • Cover the branch lightly with soil and weigh it down with a stone
    • Shoot tip must not be covered

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    cuttings

    Propagation by cuttings is more promising. Cut off shoots 15 centimeters long and remove the bottom leaves. Put the shoots halfway into a planter with potting soil. Place the planter in a warm and bright place. Make sure the soil stays constantly moist. It takes a few weeks for the cuttings to root. Once the plant is rooted, it will develop new leaves. Transplanting is possible as soon as the pipe bindweed has rooted the substrate well.

    Pour Pipevine

    Pipe vines have a high water requirement because they grow to great heights and develop an enormous leaf mass. On particularly hot days, the climbing plant needs water several times a day. Water the plant thoroughly and make sure that there is no waterlogging. With potted plants, no excess water should be left in the saucer. Outdoor plants must be in loose and well-drained soil.

    Fertilize the pipe bindweed properly

    Aristolochia macrophylla also thrives without fertilization. It should only be fertilized when a growth spurt is desired or to support vitality. In this case, the pipe bindweed gets a green plant fertilizer every two weeks between May and August. Alternatively, a supply of horn shavings (32.93€) or compost is possible. Avoid fertilizing from September so that the shoots can mature. A nutrient supply in autumn means that the plant continuously develops new shoots. These no longer mature sufficiently by the onset of winter, so that they are at risk of frost.

    Properly trimming the pipe winch

    The climbing plants prove to be very well tolerated by pruning. Thin out the plant every two to three years to counteract uncontrolled spread. If the plant gets too big, cut the shoots back to four inches. This care measure stimulates the formation of fresh shoots and promotes branching.
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    How do I plant correctly?

    Avoid this measure on outdoor plants as it will inevitably damage the roots. It may be that the plant no longer grows well in the new location. If transplanting is necessary, you should severely prune any tendrils before digging up. Dig out the root ball generously and lift out as many roots as possible. The new location should already be prepared so that the roots do not dry out completely.

    Diseases

    Although the pipe vines are considered to be robust, they are afflicted by diseases and pests under suboptimal site conditions. The sudden turning of the leaves from green to yellow indicates a fungal infestation. Known as Aristolochia mosaic, this disease causes the leaves to dry up and die. The spores spread preferentially in damp weather. Cut off the affected shoots generously and make sure they are in an airy but not too windy location.

    If entire shoots suddenly dry up and die, Phytophthora root rot can be a possible cause. The roots begin to rot when waterlogged, which means that fungal spores find an ideal breeding ground. The plant is no longer able to absorb enough water and nutrients.

    pests

    Too low humidity can lead to an infestation by spider mites. The pests prefer to spread in hot and dry conditions on sites facing south walls and suck the plant sap on the leaf veins with their mouthparts. You can recognize an infestation through fine cobwebs that stretch over leaf stalks and shoot tips.

    If left untreated, the pest infestation will cause the leaves to dry up. In the case of a slight pest infestation, it is sufficient to remove the mites with a sharp jet of water. If the animals have spread a lot, you should cut off the affected leaves and shoots.

    Pipe vines can be infested with aphids. They feed on the sap of the plant and leave a sticky film on the leaves. These cripple over time until they eventually die. The aphids, which can be seen with the naked eye, are sprayed off with a hard jet of water. A decoction of nettle manure has a preventive effect against an infestation.

    hardy

    The climbing plant is considered hardy and therefore does not need protection from the cold. If you cultivate your pipe bindweed in a bucket, you should protect the planter from frost. Place the pot on an insulating surface. This can be a styrofoam plate or a wooden pallet. Wrap bubble wrap around the bucket. Alternatively, you can protect the pot with garden fleece or a jute sack (€10.99). In the particularly cold winter months, use hay that you fill in the jute sack or layer between the layers of foil.

    Make sure you have sufficient watering even in winter, otherwise the plant can dry out. Only water the root ball on frost-free days so that the water can reach the roots and be absorbed by them.
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    tips

    Set up the trellis vertically, because horizontally arranged struts only improve the support of the plant to a small extent. The vertical struts should be 30 to 40 centimeters apart. Wires, tension cords or rods with a rough surface are ideal. Wooden lattices are also suitable if they are not too heavy and massive. Weave the shoots into horizontal strands so that the plant spreads out flat.

    sorts

    • Aristolochia manshuriensis: Pipe-shaped flowers, greenish on the outside and purple on the inside. Does not give off an unpleasant smell. Grows between six and eight feet tall. Hardy to -35 degrees Celsius.
    • Aristolochia clematitis: Suitable as a container plant. Flowers yellow, flowering period from May to June. Grows up to 100 centimeters high.
    • Aristolochia tomentosa: Undemanding. Smaller leaves than Aristolochia macrophylla, oval, slightly hairy. Flowers yellowish-brown. Flowering time between May and June. Grows between three and seven feet tall.
    • Aristolochia moupiensi: Small Leaves. Reaches heights of growth of up to four meters.
    • Aristolochia elegans: Conditionally hardy. Flowers greenish to white, eight inches long. leaves deep green.
    • Aristolochia tagala: Not hardy. Suitable for the conservatory. Leaves up to 25 centimeters long. Flowers reddish-brown to purple.

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