Origin
Funastrum cynanchoides (Dcne.) Schlechter ssp. heterophyllum (Vail) Kartesz, comb. nov. ined. is native to North America and can be found throughout the United States and Mexico.
Common names
The plant is commonly known as "vine milkweed" or "climbing milkweed" due to its vine-like growth habit and its membership in the milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae.
Uses
The plant is an important source of nectar for butterflies and other pollinators. Its leaves and stems contain a milky sap that is toxic to animals, making it an unpalatable food source for most herbivores. The sap has historically been used by indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes, including as a treatment for skin irritations, headaches, and snakebites.
General appearance
Funastrum cynanchoides (Dcne.) Schlechter ssp. heterophyllum (Vail) Kartesz, comb. nov. ined. is a perennial vine with twining stems that can reach up to 6 feet in length. Its leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate to lanceolate in shape. The plant produces clusters of small, white or pink flowers with five petals that bloom in late spring to early summer. Its fruit is a long, narrow, cylindrical pod that contains numerous seeds with silky, white tufts, which allows them to be dispersed by the wind.
Growth Conditions for Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum
Light: Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum prefers full sun exposure for optimal growth. In shaded areas, it tends to grow weak and leggy, resulting in poor blooming.
Temperature: This plant species can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from hot summers to mildly cold winters. However, it thrives best in warm climates where the average temperatures range from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil Requirements: The soil type is not very important as long as it is well-draining. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soil with a pH level ranging from 6.0 to 8.5. However, it prefers to grow in soils that are rich in organic matter to aid proper root development and nutrient uptake.
Water: This plant species requires moderate watering. Over-watering can lead to root rot, while under-watering can cause wilting and stunted growth. Watering should be done regularly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy.
Fertilizer: It is advisable to feed Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum with an all-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season. However, avoid over-fertilizing as this can cause excessive growth and fewer blooms.
Cultivation Methods
When cultivating Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum, it is important to provide the plant with well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. This plant prefers full sun, but it can also tolerate some light shade.
If you are growing this plant outdoors, you should ensure that you plant it in a location where it will have enough space to spread out. This species requires minimal maintenance and has excellent drought tolerance, making it an ideal choice for dry gardens and xeriscaping.
Watering Needs
While Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum is drought-tolerant, it still requires regular watering. You should water the plant deeply once a week, making sure that the soil is thoroughly soaked. In particularly hot or dry periods, you may need to water the plant more frequently to prevent it from becoming too dry.
When watering this plant, be sure to avoid getting water on the leaves as it can cause fungal diseases to develop.
Fertilization
Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum does not require a lot of fertilization. You can fertilize the plant once or twice a year with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this species is not particularly sensitive to nutrient deficiencies.
Pruning
Pruning is not strictly necessary for Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum. However, if you wish to keep the plant tidy, you can remove any dead or diseased stems whenever you notice them. In addition, if the plant becomes too large for its location, you can prune it back in the spring after flowering has finished.
Propagation of Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum
Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum, commonly known as vine milkweed, is a plant species native to North America. It is a perennial plant that can be propagated through various methods.
Propagation through Seeds
The easiest and most common way to propagate Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum is through seeds. The seeds should be collected when the follicles start to split open, which usually happens during the fall season. The harvested seeds should then be stored in a dry and cool place.
Before planting the seeds, they should be stratified for 3-4 weeks. This process helps to break the seed dormancy and enhances germination. To stratify the seeds, put them in a plastic bag with a mixture of vermiculite and perlite and store them in the refrigerator. After stratification, the seeds can be directly sown in pots or trays containing well-draining soil.
Propagation through Cuttings
Another method of propagating Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum is through stem cuttings. The cuttings should be taken in the summer season when the plant is actively growing. Select healthy stems and cut them into 4-6 inch sections, ensuring that each cutting has at least one node.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem and dip the end of the cutting into rooting hormone powder. Then plant each cutting into a container filled with moist soil and perlite mix. Place the container in a warm, bright, and humid place, and keep the soil moist until the cuttings have rooted.
Propagation through Division
Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum can also be propagated through division. This method is best done in the spring season, just as new growth appears. Carefully dig up the clump of the plant and separate the roots into smaller sections. Each section should have at least one healthy shoot and root system.
Plant each section in a pot or a prepared garden bed filled with well-draining soil. Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a partially shaded area until it establishes itself.
Common diseases and pests
Like any other plant, Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum is susceptible to various diseases and pests. Some of the common ones include:
Diseases
Fungal diseases: This plant is prone to different fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. Powdery mildew manifests itself as white powdery spots on the leaves, while leaf spot causes brownish-black spots. Rust is evident in the form of yellow-orange spots on the leaves.
Viral diseases: A common viral disease in Funastrum cynanchoides is the tobacco mosaic virus. Symptoms include distorted leaves with a mosaic appearance of light and dark green patches.
Pests
Aphids: These are common pests that attack the plant, and they suck the sap from the leaves. They cause the leaves to curl and also leave behind a sticky residue.
Spider mites: They are tiny pests that attack the plant during hot, dry weather conditions. They suck the plant sap, and their feeding marks appear as speckled spots on the leaves.
Whiteflies: They are similar to aphids and also suck plant sap. Their feeding causes yellowing and curling of the leaves.
Management
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to managing pests and diseases in plants. Here are some ways to control pests and diseases in Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum plant:
Cultural Practices
Practicing good cultural practices such as proper planting, pruning, and watering the plant is crucial in preventing pest and disease infestations. Avoid overhead watering that can lead to fungal diseases, and ensure proper spacing between plants to promote air circulation.
Biological Controls
Biological control involves introducing natural predators or parasites of the pests to reduce their populations. Ladybugs are useful in controlling aphids, while predatory mites control spider mites.
Chemical Controls
Chemical control involves using pesticides to manage pests. However, this should only be done as a last resort and correctly following instructions to avoid harm to non-target organisms and the environment.
Note: Before applying any chemicals on the plant, always read the label instructions carefully and follow them precisely to avoid damage to the plant, animals, and the environment.
