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Firecracker Vine
Manettia bicolor
Please take your time removing your plant from it's packaging. Getting started -- Your plant was grown in filtered light, so i don't advise giving it full sunlight just yet. I recommend growing your vine in a 1 gallon container for about a month, and start it with either filtered sun or a few hours of morning or late afternoon sun. This will give your plant time to develop a larger root system, so it can take full sun without wilting or burning. Every few days, give the plant about an hour more sun, until it is eventually in full sun. Potting up -- Before sliding the plant from its pot, please give it a thorough watering, so the soil doesn't break apart, which can damage the roots. If the plant is hard to slide out, stick a pen or a stick into the holes at the bottom to help push it out. Gently slide out your plant and plant it in a 1 gallon container, using regular potting soil. Water thoroughly. For the first month, please ensure that the original soil ball remains moist (but not soggy). I recommend using a moisture meter probe, which you can get for about $4 at most garden and hardware stores. Firecracker vine likes regular watering, but allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings. Don't let the plant sit in water. Planting out -- Give your vine something to climb on. This can be anything from a trellis or fence to an arbor. Firecracker Vine appreciates some mid-day shade in hot areas. If the leaves wilt excessively, give it some more shade. The vine can flower with just a couple hours of sun per day, as long as it's in bright shade the rest of the day. Avoid planting too close to lights that are on all night, as this may prevent flowering. Firecracker vine likes well-draining soil that's high in organic matter. Many soils benefit from mixing in extra compost to the soil before planting. The more compost you add, however, the more perlite or sand you should add, for drainage. Remember that your vine should be protected from freezing. It does best in temperatures above 45 F. Protect from freezing. New shoots may grow back from the base if it is well-mulched, but i would avoid testing how much frost it can take. You can grow it indoors over the winter in cold areas. Fertilizing -- Firecracker vine has average feeding needs. Feed about every 3-4 weeks during periods of active growth using regular vegetable fertilizer. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Pruning - You may trim out old vines to encourage new growth and more flowers. Pests to watch for -- aphids, spider mites (tiny "dots" under the leaves). By the way, you may notice a light film on the leaves. This is anti-transpirant spray, to keep the plant from drying out in the mail. It's harmless and flakes off by itself in a few weeks. Enjoy your plant! Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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