Cathedral Bells - Cobea Scandens Rampicante Mix
Flower, Cobea Scandens Rampicante Mix Cathedral Bells Known as Mexican climbing cobaea when it was introduced in 1792, the development of the flowers is a show unto itself. They start out as green, five-cornered, papery buds, then open to reveal the green saucer and bell-shaped flower. The pale green flower becomes striped with violet, finally changing to deep purple before dropping off. The foliage and tendrils are shaded with violet and are beautiful from spring to late fall freezes.
How to Grow Cobaea from Seed: Cobea is an impressive, rampant climber, one of the fastest-growing and most trouble-free vines you may ever grow. An ever-green perennial in its native Mexico, here it grows 10ft or so over the season and flowers from summer until the first frosts. Perfect for following sweet peas.
Extremely attractive and exotic looking Cobea will scramble up sturdy trellises, over archways, across south facing walls or fences and through trees or shrubs filling the air with a very pleasant honey fragrance throughout the growing season. Support in the form of wires, netting or a frame is recommended.
Cobaea will behave as a perennial if kept indoors over winter at about 7°C (45°F). Outdoor plants may survive a very mild winter, in a very sheltered position with some protection, but Cobea grows quickly enough to be considered an annual if conditions don’t favour it surviving the winter.
Sow indoors from January to March or sow in September to overwinter in a coldframe. Cobaea will normally flower 20 weeks from sowing and if grown in a greenhouse will flower for 8 months of the year.
Soak the seed in luke warm water for two hours then sow into individual 3 inch pots filled with good quality, moist seed compost. Sow the large flat seeds on edge, one inch deep and sticking vertically into the compost then cover the pots with plastic or cling film to retain moisture and place on a windowsill or into a propagator.
The minimum temperature for germination is16°C or 60°F, the ideal temperature is around 21°C or 70°F. Germination usually takes 20 to 30 days.
Once germinated the seedlings should be moved to larger 5 inch, 12cm pots with stakes inserted so that the young stems have something to twine around. Grow on at a cooler temperature.
For conservatory or greenhouse plants pot on as the plants develop. For outdoor plants harden them off gradually and plant out when the danger of frost has passed. Sub-tropical tender perennial that is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. In St. Louis, it is best grown in the ground as an annual vine, but may also be grown in containers. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Start seed indoors in late winter (about 8-10 weeks before last frost date). Needs a substantial structure upon which to grow.
Sometimes called cathedral bells, Cobaea scandens is a vigorous and irrepressible vine native to tropical America, where it grows as a strong woody perennial. It may be grown in large pots for standing outdoors in summer, and will behave as a perennial if kept indoors in winter at about 44 F.
Cobaea will normally flower 20 weeks from sowing and if grown in a greenhouse will flower for 8 months of the year. Soak the seed in luke warm water for two hours then sow into individual 3 inch pots filled with good quality, moist seed compost.
If growing in containers, select a pot that drains well and use a rich, well-draining potting mix. Cut, it is an unusual choice that lasts well.