Streptosolen, also known as the climbing snapdragon or the tiger's claw, is a vining plant in the family Solanaceae. The genus Streptosolen includes two species, Streptosolen japonicus and Streptosolen revolutus, both native to South America. The plants are grown for their ornamental value, and are used as trailing plants in hanging baskets or as groundcover. The japonicus species is the more commonly grown of the two.
Is it easy to grow Streptosolen plant? Because it's a unpretentious plant, it's easy to grow and doesn't require a lot of care. It's a good choice for beginner gardeners or for those who don't have a lot of time to spend on their gardens.
How big can it be? When fully grown, Streptosolen shoots can reach a length of more than 2 meters. In terms of leaves, they are relatively small and have a dark green color. The plant also produces yellow-orange flowers.
How fast is the growth? Common ly called the Streptosolen, or the Marmalade Bush, this plant is a species of flowering plant in the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family. The Marmalade Bush is native to South America, specifically Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, but it has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and the United States. The plant is a shrub that can grow up to 2.5 m in height and has ovate, or elliptical, leaves that are 10-20 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The Marmalade Bush produces orange or yellow flowers that are 5-6 cm in diameter and blooms from late spring to early summer.
| Plant Form | Shrub |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Origin | South America: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia. Streptosolen Jameson (Streptosolen jamesonii) the only representative of this genus. |
How long is the lifespan? Although some sources claim that the plant is an annual, most gardeners report that it is a perennial in warm climates. The plant typically blooms in late spring or early summer and continues to bloom sporadically through fall.
What is the ideal temperature? Because it is a thermophilic plant, the content temperature in summer should be around 77-82.4 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, the temperature should be lower, around 59-62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but not below 44.6-51.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
What about the humidity? The plant Streptosolen easily adapts to conditions of low humidity (about 35%). However, it is useful for him to regularly spray, preferably in summer in extreme heat or in winter, if the plant is contained in an intensively heated room.
What amount of light this plant needed? Because Streptosolen plants need very bright light for normal growth and flowering, the vase should be placed on a windowsill on the south, south-west, or west side of the house. In winter, when Streptosolen plants are kept in relatively cool conditions, the lighting should be moderate.
What is good soil for Streptosolen? Although this plant is native to South America, it will grow in any light permeable, fertile substrate. A mix of leaf land, humus, peat, sand, and perlite will do, or you can use any loose store substrate with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Good drainage is required.
How much I must water Streptosolen? If the soil dries out to a depth of 3 cm, it is necessary to water the plant abundantly. This should be done 3 times a week. In hot weather conditions, the plant needs to be watered more often. If the soil dries out completely, the leaves of the plant will begin to hang, and the plant will clear the lower leaves. The trunk of the plant will be laid bare. In winter, the intensity of irrigation should be reduced.
About fertilizer. If you want your Streptosolen to really take off and have an abundant growth, you should fertilize it during the growing season with a complex fertilizer that has an elevated phosphorus content. This should be done approximately every 3 weeks, with young plants particularly in need of additional fertilizing. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content will lead to an abundant growth of the vegetative mass, but flowering may not occur or be weak. At the end of the growth period, the top dressing should be gradually reduced.
How to reproduce Streptosolen? So, the plant is propagated by cuttings, which are cut in spring and rooted in a mixture of peat and sand, covered with polyethylene. Also, the plant can be propagated by seeds, which are sown in a mixture of peat and sand to the depth of about 3-4 mm. The seedlings should be placed in a bright place, but not under direct sunlight. It is necessary to constantly moisten the substrate. Germination lasts approximately 3-4 weeks. After 1-2 months the seedlings can be placed closer to the light, but still not under direct rays and only on the 4th month they are put on a bright sun.
Why Streptosolen won't bloom? When it begins to bloom in the spring and summer it blossoms abundantly. The flowers are yellow at first and then they turn bright orange. The bright color of flowers are called marmalade bush.
How to care the plant? The plant needs a fairly frequent annual transplant as the roots fill the pot. Sometimes it is possible to carry out transshipment in the summer, if the roots have appeared through the drainage hole. The plant takes a regular pruning by one third every spring, it will promote better branching. You can also trim after flowering, new flowers appear on the shoots of the previous year. During growth, it is necessary to pinch the paws for support. You can use a ladder for the plant or shoot the shoots on the supports on the wall. You can use wire supports in the form of a circle, braiding around them shoots. Sometimes a plant is formed in the form of a binder.
What is the challenge when caring Streptosolen plant? If you do not create certain conditions, it will not please you with its flowering. The main pests of this plant are aphids, spider mites, whitefly, scab. The lower leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall off with insufficient watering. Also, the leaves can turn yellow due to the low nitrogen content in the soil. The lack of flowering is mainly due to a lack of fertilizers or lighting.
Are Streptosolen poisonous? Since it is poisonous, it is not recommended to grow it in an apartment where there are animals and children.
