Mascagnia
( mas - KAYN - ee - ah )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of flowering deciduous vines needs full sun and moderate water, and is commonly called Orchid Vine. They are native to Mexico, and are great additions to desert-climate gardens. They bloom during the warmest time of the year. Leaves are bright green and flowers are yellow or pink, blooming in clusters in spring and summertime. Seed pods that resemble small butterflies replace flowers as they fade. Take care when planting these vines in the garden, as plant parts are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
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Mascagnia Species and Varietals
The genus Mascagnia includes around 45 distinct species and is a member of the plant family Malpighiaceae. Orchid Vine grows best in zones 12-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Mascagnia lilacina (Lavender Orchid Vine) This species reaches up to between 15 and 20 feet long and has lilac flowers. Blooms are followed by seedpods. These vines are hardy down to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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Mascagnia macroptera (Yellow Orchid Vine) Reaches 15 feet long with bright yellow flowers that are followed by eye-catching seed pods. Hardy to 24 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Caring for Mascagnia
Make sure to plant these vines in full sun to light shade. They should ideally be receiving between 4 and 6 hours of direct light each day, and will flower and produce the best foliage the more sun they get. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature.
Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize Clematis plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base.
Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize Clematis plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base.
Propagation
Although these vines can be propagated through both cuttings and seed, the cutting method is suggested because growing Mascagnia through seeds can be a difficult, slow and unpredictable process. To propagate your vine using cuttings, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Mascagnia by Cutting
Propagating Mascagnia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Problems and Pests
Mascagnia vines do not suffer from any pest and disease issues. For information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, consult the following pages:
Gallery
Mascagnia vines are popular choices for pergolas and trellises.
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These vines can grow to be quite large, and need structure to cling to.
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The yellow flowers of these vines bring cheery color to landscapes.
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Videos
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All about yellow Orchid Vine.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 436, Mascagnia
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