Cissus quadrangularis
Cissus quadrangularis belongs to the family of grapevine plants (Vitaceae) and is originally from tropical regions of Africa as well as India and Sri Lanka. In warm countries, it is traditionally used as a medicinal plant. Its exceptionally shaped, square stems are characteristic – a feature that gives the plant its name ("quadrangularis" = square). It grows climbing or creeping and is suitable as a houseplant as well as for warm winter gardens.
Characteristics:
The plant forms thick, square, succulent stems that can store water and nutrients. The leaves are small, glossy green, and appear along the stems, but may be sparse depending on light and moisture conditions. Cissus quadrangularis grows quickly and can develop several meters long tendrils that can wind up a support or be cultivated hanging down. Flowers and fruits rarely appear in indoor cultivation.
Care instructions:
Light: bright location, preferably with some direct sunlight; semi-shade is also possible.
Water: water moderately; allow the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings; avoid waterlogging at all costs.
Humidity: normal room humidity is sufficient; a robust and less sensitive species.
Fertilizer: during the growing season (spring-summer), supply every 2-4 weeks with a cactus fertilizer or a low-dosed houseplant fertilizer.
Temperature: loves warmth; optimal 20-30 °C, do not cultivate below 15 °C.
Note: A well-drained substrate is crucial; an ideal mix is succulent soil and mineral components. Pruning promotes a more compact growth and makes shaping easier.
Our greenhouses are equipped with modern energy screens and double glazing to efficiently save on heating costs. Additionally, we collect rainwater over the entire roof area of 9,000 square meters and use only this water to irrigate all our crops. We collect the rainwater in underground tanks with a total volume of 600,000 liters.
Since 2007, we have been heating our entire operation with a fully automated 850 kW wood chip heating system and a 100,000-liter buffer storage tank. Environmentally friendly and CO2-neutral. Only to support during very cold winter days and nights is a conventional oil heating system available.
Since 2014, the heating has been supported by a solar thermal system with an annual yield of about 20 megawatt-hours.
In 2020, we installed a photovoltaic system with 30 kW peak and have been producing more green electricity per year than our entire operation requires.
Since 2021, we use exclusively pots for our self-produced plants that are not only 100% recyclable but are also entirely made from recycled pots. To this end, we collect all used pots that arise in our operation and have them picked up in big bags by our pot supplier Göttinger. There, the pots are cleaned and processed in a water-free recycling facility into new pots that come back to us.