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How to train a dutchman's pipe

rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
in Problem solving
Hello,  

I am a total novice gardener and am hoping someone can help me please.  I have bought a dutchman's pipe vine.  It came as a thick rope of stalks around a bamboo stick around six feet high.  

I have attached wire in a grid shape on a sunny wall but do not know if I should a) be snaking the whole rope around the trellis or having the main rope going vertical with side stems I have detached going along the trellis horizontally??

I also thought D's P had really big leaves and this one has leaves that are only about 6-10cms.  Is that a growth issue?  at the moment it is growing from a large pot with a mixture of compost and grit.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Best Wishes,

Rachel

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Rachel  :)
    Must admit l have never heard of Dutchman's pipe vine, so had to resort to Professor Google 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/1577/i-Aristolochia-gigantea-i/Details
    It's certainly a striking thing ! The only information l can find is that it does need support but nothing seems to go into detail. 
    Hopefully someone else on the forum may have experience of growing it and can advise you. Is there any chance of a couple of photos, of the plant and also of the wires ? That may help as well.
  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
    That is really kind of you. You are the only one who has responded so looks like you aren’t the only one who isn’t familiar with it. I have managed to unwind it from itself a bit and train bits of it over the wire trellis and it seems to be ok. Thanks and Best Wishes
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I was about to say- first, find a Dutchman.... ;)

    It seems not very hardy, so I'm not sure many people on the forum will have grown it. 
    I'd expect that - like many plants- young growth will be small though, and will get larger as the plant matures  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
    Ha ha! Good idea. 

    Rookie’s mistake anyway. I thought it was the climber a neighbour had that I love (which is hardy) but turns out that is a Vitis coignegiae and not a Dutchman’s pipe atall Uggh 🤦‍♀️. 

    Thanks for the help
  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
    This is what mine looks like. The flowers are so curious like a tiny purple pipe about 5cms long!
  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62

  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
    Not purple green pipe
  • rachelsophiaoakesrachelsophiaoakes Posts: 62
    That is very useful info thank you!
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