Garlic Vine

Description

Garlic Vine

Mansoa alliacea, or Garlic vine, is a species of tropical in the trumpet creeper family that is Bignoniaceae. Garlic creeper is beautiful ornamental vine with opposite leaves divided into two ovate leaflets. The flowers are funnel shaped and purple to white in color.

Garlic Vine is one of the most rewarding, flowering vines that you can grow. Interestingly enough it smells like garlic. However, it doesn’t smell if the plant is left alone, only when the leaves are crushed. The smell is because it contains sulfur like allin and allyl sulphides that the garlic has.

Planting and care

Light Requirement

• At least 3-6 hours of preferably morning sunlight a day is ideal for plant to grow well and natural indirect bright light for the rest of the day. .

Soil

• The soil should be well drained and rich in organic content for growing garlic creeper plant.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply 4 cup (Approx. 200 ml) water when top soil (1-2 inches) in pot feels dry to touch.
• As rule of thumb, Water the plant thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.
• Do not over-water the plant.
• Apply water preferably in morning or evening.

Application of Fertilizer

• Loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.
• During the main growing season feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month (Oct-Jan).
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Re-potting

• When a plant outgrows in current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer.
• Do the re-potting late evening and keep the plant in shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable growing condition.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and dispose them away from the planting area.
• Spray Neem, Eucalyptus or Citrus oil for any insect/pest attack, as a primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Do not over-water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.
• Avoid applying water on flowers and leaves it may cause fungus infection.