Birdwing vines are fast growing tropical vines that produce stunning and large flowers. They are perfect for growing on pergolas, fences, and trellises to create a tropical paradise in your garden. With proper care and maintenance, birdwing vines can provide an exotic focal point and wow factor for years to come.
What are the requirements for growing birdwing vines?
Birdwing vines require warm temperatures, high humidity, bright filtered sunlight, fast-draining soil, ample water, support for climbing, and regular feeding. The ideal growing conditions include:
- Temperatures between 70-85°F
- 50-60% humidity
- 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight
- Well-draining soil high in organic matter
- Consistent moisture – soil should not be allowed to completely dry out
- Support for vines to climb such as a pergola, trellis, fence, or tree
- Fortnightly fertilizing during growing season
Providing these optimal growing conditions will ensure your birdwing vines grow vigorously and flower prolifically.
What type of soil is best?
Birdwing vines need a very well-draining soil high in organic matter. They are prone to root rot if planted in heavy, dense soil that holds onto moisture. The ideal potting mix contains:
- 1 part sterilized potting soil
- 1 part peat moss or coco coir
- 1 part perlite or pumice
This fast draining soil mix will prevent soggy soil and allow excess water to pass through readily. In the ground, amend clay soils with plenty of compost, manure, and coarse sand to improve drainage.
What size pot should be used?
Use at least a 10-12 inch wide pot when first planting out young birdwing vines. This gives the shallow root system room to expand. As the vines grow, repot every spring into progressively larger containers. Mature vines may need 20-25 inch diameter pots. Ensure pots have drainage holes and use free draining potting mix. Trellised vines can also be grown directly in well-amended garden beds.
What fertilizer is recommended?
Birdwing vines are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing when actively growing. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-3 weeks during spring through fall. Good options include:
- Fish emulsion
- Seaweed extract
- Compost tea
- Soluble tomato fertilizer
Apply fertilizer when the soil is moist to avoid root burn. Scratching slow release organic granular fertilizer into the soil prior to planting will provide a steady base nutrition.
How much sunlight do they need?
Birdwing vines need bright light but should not be placed in direct hot sunlight. They thrive in 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight daily. More than this can scorch the leaves. Position pots and climbing structures in part sun locations protected from afternoon sun. Light shade cloth can be used to filter intense sunlight in summer.
How often should they be watered?
These tropical vines need consistently moist soil at all times. Take care not to overwater as this will cause root rot. Check soil moisture daily and water well when the top few inches become dry. Potted plants will need watering almost daily in hot weather. Vines growing in garden beds are easier to maintain an even moisture level. Add lots of organic matter to soil to hold moisture. Shelter from drying winds which increase water needs.
What temperature is best?
Birdwing vines thrive in warm to hot conditions between 70-85°F. They will not tolerate any frost and need moving indoors or undercover during winter in cooler zones. Maintain minimum temperatures above 50°F. Heat loving birdwing vines are fine in hot and humid tropical or subtropical climates provided they are shaded from intense afternoon sun.
How to plant birdwing vines
Follow these steps when planting new birdwing vine starters:
- Select a fast draining potting mix amended with compost or worm castings.
- Fill chosen containers to within 2 inches of the rim.
- Remove plant from nursery pot and loosen tangled roots.
- Position in container so surface roots are just covered with soil.
- Firm down soil gently around stems.
- Water in well allowing excess to drain away.
- Set up climbing support structures.
- Place container in sheltered part sun location.
Once planted, avoid disturbing birdwing vine root systems. Repot into progressively larger containers as required rather than dividing rootballs.
Are birdwing vines poisonous?
No, birdwing vines are not poisonous to humans or pets. All parts of the plant are safe to handle. The large exotic flowers also have a lovely mild fragrance. There are no toxic properties associated with these vines making them a great choice for gardens frequented by children or animals.
How fast do birdwing vines grow?
Birdwing vines are vigorous climbers when given warm temperatures, bright light and ample moisture. They can grow up to 2 feet per month in ideal conditions, quickly covering horizontal or vertical supports. Growth slows in cooler weather. Pruning to shape can help manage and direct growth where needed.
Do they need pruning?
Routine pruning helps keep birdwing vines under control and encourages flowering. Trim back long whippy growth after flowering to promote branching and compact growth. Remove any dead or diseased stems. To shape the plant, prune side shoots to leave the main lateral branches.
Hard pruning in late winter will manage size and generate fresh new growth. Remove older tangled stems at the base. Take care not to over trim – never cut back by more than one third of the overall size at any one time.
Are birdwing vines perennial?
Yes, birdwing vines are fast growing tender perennials in warm climate areas. Where winters drop below 50°F they can be overwintered indoors and returned outside the following spring. With proper care birdwing vines will continue growing for many years.
Do they flower?
One of the chief attractions of birdwing vines are the very showy and exotic flowers. Hanging in clusters among the foliage, the distinctive blooms can be 6-10 inches long. Flower colors include brilliant yellow, orange, pink, red, and near black shades. The striking blooms appear during summer and fall lasting approx 2 weeks each.
What are good birdwing vine varieties?
Some popular varieties of birdwing vine include:
- Lady Margaret’s Birdwing – Large yellow and red bicolor flowers. Vigorous growth to 20 feet.
- Golden Birdwing – Produces masses of huge golden yellow blooms. Grows 15 feet.
- Orange Birdwing – Flaunting vivid orange flowers over a long season.Height reaches 12 feet.
- Scarlet Birdwing – Dazzling dark red flowers with yellow centers. Grows to 15 feet.
- Blackbird – Dark burgundy black blooms with faint yellow veining. Up to 10 feet tall.
Choose birdwing vine types based on available space and preferred flower colors.
Are birdwing vines invasive?
Within their natural tropical habitat, birdwing vines can be very vigorous and invasive. However, in temperate home garden settings they do not spread invasively due to winter die back and reliance on humans providing ideal growing conditions.
Birdwing vines remain obedient climbers when given suitable support and ample water and nutrients. Manage growth by pruning regularly and cutting off unwanted self sown seedlings.
Do birdwing vines need support for climbing?
Yes, all types of birdwing vine require external support to climb upwards as they do not cling naturally to structures. Provide substantial trellis, wires, bamboo frames or other climbing apparatus for the fast growing vines to attach to.
Position supports at time of planting or install structures once vines reach 2-3 feet tall. Birdwing vines will quickly grasp on using their leaf stalks and twining stems to ascend vertically 8-15 feet high depending on variety.
How to propagate birdwing vines
Birdwing vines can be easily propagated from stem cuttings in spring through summer. Follow these steps:
- Cut 6-8 inch long sections of new growth just below a leaf node.
- Remove lower leaves and place cut end in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in pots filled with propagation mix just below soil.
- Cover pot with plastic wrap to increase humidity.
- Place in warm bright location out of direct sun.
- Keep soil moist but not saturated while roots develop in 4-8 weeks.
- Harden off by exposing to increased direct light before planting out.
Birdwing vines can also be grown from seed though this is slower. Germination rates are erratic.
How to overwinter birdwing vines
In areas with cold winters, birdwing vines must be moved into a sheltered location and kept frost free. Follow these steps to successfully overwinter birdwing vines:
- Move pots inside to a warm spot with bright light before first frost.
- Trim back long growth by 1/3 to reduce stress on the plant.
- Slow watering but do not allow soil to fully dry out.
- Mist vines regularly and maintain 50-60% humidity.
- Keep temperatures ideally around 70°F if possible.
- Do not fertilize during winter rest period.
- Check for pests like spider mites and treat if found.
- Repot in spring before moving back outside after all danger of frost has passed.
With proper winter care, birdwing vines will return vigorously the following growing season.
Troubleshooting problems
Here are solutions to some common problems seen in birdwing vines:
Problem | Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Leaf yellowing | Overwatering, nutrient deficiency | Allow soil to partly dry before watering, apply balanced fertilizer |
Leaf browning | Underwatering, sunburn | Water more frequently, move to shadier position |
Leaf drop | Cold drafts, pests | Move away from doors/windows, check and treat for pests |
Poor flowering | Insufficient light, pruning incorrectly | Give more bright filtered light, don’t prune flowering stems |
Conclusion
With lush tropical foliage and flamboyant showy flowers, birdwing vines make an exotic addition to gardens and patios. Provide them with warm temperatures, filtered sunlight, consistently moist soil and structural support for optimal growth. Train vines onto pergolas, trellises and fences to create stunning vertical interest. Prune after flowering and fertilize regularly during the growing season. Move pots undercover in winter in cold zones. Give birdwing vines everything they need and they will reward you with abundant exotic blooms and cascades of tropical foliage.