Red Cypress Vine Propagation

Site Selection and Seed Preparation

• The red cypress vine thrives in almost any well-drained soil. It is somewhat tolerant of dry soils, though flowering is not as substantial. The vine grows in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Nick the outside coating of red cypress vine seeds just before planting to speed up the germination process. Alternately, soak the seeds in a container of water for 24 hours before sowing.

Preparing the Growing Site

• The soil at the growing site should be loosened to a depth of at least 8 inches. Enriching the soil with a layer of organic compost provides an extra supply of nutrients, which is especially beneficial in locations with poor soil. If no permanent climbing structure is available, a trellis should be placed at a distance of 4 to 6 inches behind the growing site.

Sowing Red Cypress Vine Seeds

• The seeds can be sown directly outdoors, or for earlier blooms, started inside six to eight weeks before the last spring frost is anticipated. If sowing indoors, choose containers with drainage holes and a lightweight growing mixture. Cover the seeds with an amount of soil equal to half their width and water until the soil or growing mixture feels evenly moistened. The seedlings will emerge in approximately four days.

Caring for Seedlings

• The growing containers or seed bed should be kept barely moist at all times. If starting the seeds indoors, move the containers to a brightly lit area when seedlings pop up. Feed the young plants with water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer at half the rate recommended on the package so that the seedlings' tender leaves aren't damaged. Indoor-grown vines can be transplanted to the garden as soon as frost danger passes in spring.