Madhumalti- Rangoon Creeper

 Madhu Malti - Combretum Indicum 

 The Rangoon creeper, also known as the Chinese honeysuckle, is a sturdy, vigorously growing, profusely flowering, perennial climber that does not need any maintenance. Prefers medium to bright sunlight. Well-drained soil. 

 Rangoon Creeper 

 Family : Combretaceae (Rangoon creeper family) 

 Origin :Asia 

 Environment Prefers medium to bright sunlight. Well-drained soil. The growth rate is generally fast, and the plant does not make heavy fertilizer demands. 

Description 

The Rangoon creeper, also known as the Chinese honeysuckle, is a sturdy, vigorously growing, profusely flowering, perennial climber that does not need any maintenance. Tender plants are reddish in colour. As they grow, the normal green colour appears. In a mature creeper, the stem becomes woody and thorns appear. Once established, it hardly dies. A vigorous twining climber blooming profusely throughout summer that can reach as much as 70 feet in tropical climates. This plant needs support for growing and is very useful in covering fences, supports, and walls. The fragrant white flowers grow in pendent racemes, quickly changing to pink then red, making a spectacular show.Under good conditions it will be necessary to prune the plant to keep it in bounds. It has since been cultivated widely in the gardens as an easy to grow plant. Bloom time is February to May and August to November. 

 Landscape Use

Specimen decoration along fences and trellises, or as ground cover. Also does well in containers 

 • Care Instruction 

 Flowering plants need access to bright sunlight to remain healthy and blooming. An easy facing balcony is the best place for the plants in Indian conditions. Try keeping them in bright sunlight but also where they get a little cover from the harsh afternoon sun. Some plants which are a little tender tend to burn due to the same. Plants with thin leaves need daily watering and ones with thick leaves need watering 3-4 times a week. This will also depend on the season. Generally during the blooming period, plants love a lot of water. Try keeping the soil moist. During winters it is better to cut back on watering. Keep the plants in a well drained soil with a drainage hole at the bottom. This will help to avoid over watering. Take care as to not leave stagnant water on top of the soil. Fertilise the plant once in 2-3 weeks during its blooming period. Do not fertilise it in winters.