The parrot plant is a true exotic and impresses with its fruits, which resemble small parrots. But not only that. The plant is also quite easy to care for.
Plant names can even embarrass garden center service. Just ask for a parrot flower in a well-stocked garden store. With a friendly smile, you are immediately led to a pallet of paradise flowers (Strelitzia reginae). But these are not.
Well, the plant you're looking for produces interestingly shaped fruits after flowering that resemble small green parrots or budgerigars. The perennial shrub is generally referred to as the parrot plant. The shape of the fruit was probably the inspiration for the naming. Expert plant experts call this plant Syrian milkweed, derived from the botanical term Asclepias syriaca. There are far more species of milkweed. Around 200 are known. In the following we would like to familiarize you with the Syrian Milkweed and how to care for it.
Portrait of the parrot plant
The parrot plant belongs to the dogbane family. All parts of the plant, including the milky plant sap, are therefore poisonous. If you have small children in the house, you might want to consider adding this plant to your garden a few years later.
This extraordinary rarity can grow up to 2 meters. Its fist-sized, umbel-like inflorescences unfold almost 100 small, fragrant purple-orange individual flowers from July to August. At the end of August, the typical 10 cm long and 3 cm wide fruits appear. Their shape resembles small parrots or budgies. The parrot fruit coats the seed with its long silky hairs. This type of parrot plant is hardy. In rough locations, however, it is better to cultivate the shrub in a tub.
This is what the ideal location for the parrot plant looks like
A sunny to partially shaded location is ideal for the Syrian Milkweed. Because of its high growth, give the plant a wind-protected place if possible.
Asclepioas syrica in tub culture tolerates the same in summersite conditions. Over the winter, however, a place in the conservatory or in a bright room is advisable. If you then want to move your potted plant back from its winter quarters to the outside, first slowly get the shrub used to the sun. First place the planter in a semi-shady place, protected from the midday sun.
The floor should be like this
The Syrian milkweed does not require any special soil cultivation. The soil should be rich in nutrients, humus and permeable. Light clay soil is also well accepted.
An outdoor planting in mild areas is harmless. If the climatic conditions are rather harsh, then planting in containers is recommended as an alternative. Use good quality soil for flowering plants.
How to plant the parrot plant correctly
Silk or parrot plants are planted in spring. The garden trade offers potted young plants for this purpose. These develop very quickly on a freshly prepared garden bed. It is advisable to create a rhizome barrier around the fleshy rootstock, as the plant can spread underground unhindered.
For pot culture, use a large planter with a drainage hole at the bottom. Then cover the drain with potsherds. On top of that comes a layer of small stones, which you cover with a plant fleece. Now fill some plant substrate in the bucket and place your plant on it. The young plant should not be too low or too high. The root collar should later be only slightly below the surface of the earth in the bucket. Finally, fill the rest of the plant substrate into the bucket, press the soil down lightly and water the plant well.
How to properly care for the parrot plant
Casting:
Your parrot plant will thrive if you keep the soil moist throughout the summer. But be careful: the shrub does not tolerate waterlogging. This applies to both outdoor and potted plants. The best way to protect the soil in the bed from losing moisture too quickly is to use a layer of mulch.
You should avoid a saucer for the bucket on the terrace, because after watering water may collect in it and cause waterlogging.
Important to know:
Do not let the substrate in the tub dry out in winter. For specimens in the bed, cover the root area with leaf and bark mulch and needle brushwood during the cold season. This protects the rhizomes from harmful winter moistureprotected.
Fertilize:
Fertilize the soil of Asclepias syrica outdoors in spring with an organic long-term fertilizer. For example with pelleted cattle manure or with horn shavings. At the beginning of September you then supply the soil with patent potash (potash magnesia) or Thomas potash. This strengthens the plant tissues for the upcoming winter months.
Pruning:
Parrot and milkweed plants tolerate pruning well. Pruning is primarily done in spring. You can then prune your shrub to 25 centimeters. This has the advantage that the plant branches well and the formation of flowers is promoted. Potted plants can be shortened in autumn when the plant is brought indoors to overwinter.
Hiberation:
Asclepias syrica is offered as a hardy plant. Nevertheless, it is advisable to cover the root area of the outdoor plant with a layer of mulch and needle brushwood to protect the sensitive roots from moisture and frost.
Tub cultures overwinter in the conservatory or in a bright spot in the room. During this time, the parrot flower is watered sparingly, just enough to keep the root ball from drying out.
Parrot Plant Diseases and Pests
The extraordinary plant is largely immune to diseases. However, waterlogging can quickly lead to root rot. You are therefore well advised not to water your plant excessively.
In the open field, aphids can also infest the plant. You can tackle this in an environmentally friendly way with a diluted curd soap solution. Then simply spray off the dead pests with a sharp jet of water. It also helps if you spray the plant with nettle manure (instructions for nettle manure).
Whiteflies sometimes infest pot cultures in the room. You should therefore check the underside of the leaves more often, because that is where the pest can be found. Reasons for this are too warm hibernation. You should use yellow boards to combat them.
Summary:
The parrot or milkweed (Asclepias syrica) is a perennial hardy ornamental plant. In rough locations, it is recommended as a tub culture. It reaches a growth of 2 meters. The plant blooms purple-orange from July to August. Decorative, parrot-shaped fruits form at the end of August.
A sunny to partially shaded location is ideal. The garden soil should be permeable and humus. Watering is done regularly, but care must be taken that noWaterlogging occurs.