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Argyreia nervosa Plant Guide
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose
Table of Contents | ||
1. Classification2. Morphology* The Leaf * The Stem * The Seed |
3. Cultivation* Flowering and Fruiting Season * Water * Light * Pruning |
4. Other Topics* Uses of * How to Acclimate from the Mail * Photos |
1. Classification & Taxonomy - Back To Top
Family: Convolvulaceae
Tribe: Ipomoeeae
Genus: Argyreia
Species: Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer
Synonyms: Convolvulus nervosus Burm. f., Convolvulus speciosus L. f., Rivea nervosa (Burm. f.) Hallier f.
English Names: Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, Elephant Ear Vine
Botanical Description of Argyreia nervosa - Back To Top
Reference(s)
Cultivars & Varieties - Back To Top
Argyreia nervosa nervosa
Argyreia nervosa speciosa
Argyreia nervosa var. variegata: This is a variegated form of Argyreia nervosa with smaller leaves and lighter green-yellow aroudn the outer edge of the leaves.
2. Morphology - Back To Top
Plant Habit & Growth Form - Back To Top
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose is a large vine which climbs and spreads by wrapping its stem around things for support. Each node produces one leaf and is the site where new stems and flowers may emerge. The vine is fully capable of covering large trees and heights of 30 meters is confirmed by us. It can probably spread outwards without stopping. This is an invasive weed in the tropics and should be controlled by the grower as not to get out of hand and drop seeds near streams, ditches and other means of natural seed spread.
The Leaf - Back To Top
The Stem - Back To Top
The Flower - Back To Top
The Fruit - Back To Top
Seed pods contain 4 seeds (usually). A seed pod is round, and up to 2cm wide.
The Seed - Back To Top
3. Cultivation - Back To Top
Preferred Climate - Back To Top
Argyreia nervosa likes the tropics. They can tolerate down to 2C that we have seen, but suffer at this temperature. Moist hot open areas are the best, but they do not tolerate prolonged flooding well.
Flowering and Fruiting Season - Back To Top
In warm areas they will flower year round.
Temperature - Back To Top
Minimum temperature for HBWR is probably jsut above freezing, but it seems possible it can survive minor freezing if the roots and lower stem are protected and the temps are temporary. They certainly prefer above 10C year round and still do well down to 5C for a time.
Water - Back To Top
A. nervosa likes to be kept slightly moist at all times. It can take brief periods of dry, but will not take long to start wilting if the soil is completely dry. Hawaiian baby woodrose does have very large root systems adn even in dry areas, it can send down roots to find water very deep. Our soil is moist at about 1.5-2 meters down in the height of dry season, and they never get watered now that they are established. Potted plants should be watered when the surface starts to dry, and pots should allow drainage to prevent water logged soil.
Light - Back To Top
Shading when starting small plants is beneficial to increase the stretch for light response which gets them climbing, after that they always search out full sun.
Nutrition - Back To Top
Potted plants will benefit from pellet type fertilizers of liquid types. Liquid fertilizers are ok at once a month in big pots, in ground plants dont often need fertilizing unless the ground is very poor in nutrients.
Pruning - Back To Top
Argyreia nervosa will grow as long as it is left to. Prune as you see fit. Pruning is done strictly to cut back growth from taking over areas that are not intended to be covered.
Propagation Methods - Back To Top
By Seed they grow very easy. Soaking seeds and scratching them to allow moisture to enter really increases germination rates due to a somewhat hard outer seed coat. Seeds can take 5-40 days to sprout.
By cutting is very possible, but not always easy. Using fluorescent type lights is ideal, or shaded direct sun. Medium light, temps around 20-25C are best. Cut plants witha few nodes, remove lower leaves and if the upper most leaf is large cut it to abotu 3" long. The use of rooting hormone does indeed raise success rates. Keep humid and the soil moist, not wet, and never let it dry out. Cuttings can take as long as 2-3 months to sprout roots, many will die. We prefer semi hardwood cuts. Not the very flexible new growth, but just before it where it has some strength to it.
4. Other Topics Related to - Back To Top
Uses of - Back To Top
As an ornamental Hawaiian baby woodrose is spectacular. It has lush green foliage that can spread very quickly, and is covered in pretty deep purple flowers year round if the climate is appropriate.
As a psychedelic HBWR is fairly powerful. Seeds are used by soem people to induce light visuals, euphoria and heightened senses. Nausea is also quite common.
How to Ship - Back To Top
Plants should be cut short to under 40cm and all but the uppermost leaves removed. Roots rinsed of any soil and pakced in moist sphagnum moss. Wrap the moss covered plant in plastic and place in box with newsprint for padding/insulation. Plants can last up to 2 weeks in transit, sometimes longer.
How to Acclimate from the Mail - Back To Top
Repot platns immediately when recieved. Place in almost any kind of potting soil and moisten right after. Place in indirect sun, above 15C and keep humid for the first month.
Argyreia nervosa Photos - Back To Top
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