Smilax aspera PRICKLY IVY (10 seeds)

Sarsaparilla, rough bindweed also known as Prickly Ivy or Smilax aspera, is a perennial climbing vine native to Southern Europe and a member of the Smilacaceae family. It typically reaches 3 to 4 meters in length. It is a slow-growing evergreen that thrives in arid locations and forest undergrowth.

The plant produces small, white flowers during the autumn, which are exceptionally pleasant and highly fragrant. Each flower, about 1 cm in diameter, grows in clusters and has six petals. The stems are leathery, twining, woody, and covered in numerous thorns.

Prickly Ivy seeds are round, shiny, smooth, and light brown. They measure 5 millimeters in diameter and weigh only a few centigrams. The fruit is a berry that appears starting in November, resembling a large, bright red currant, smooth and glossy, growing in bunches.

- Uses / Properties:

The name's etymology suggests that exhausted hunters used to dig up and eat the roots to regain the energy needed to continue the hunt. It is a medicinal variety; the roots are used for their benefits in fighting skin inflammation.
Do not consume without medical advice from a healthcare professional.

The young shoots of "Poor Man’s Asparagus" can be eaten raw, much like common asparagus. Additionally, the highly fragrant flowers are used to flavor liqueurs.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best time to sow rough bindweed begins in May.
• Soak the seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water to break dormancy.
• Sow them in a tray of fine potting soil, burying them 3 to 4 millimeters deep.
• Press the soil down well and water the planting gently.
• Place the tray in a greenhouse in a warm, humid spot at a temperature of at least 25°C (day and night).
• Germination generally starts 3 to 4 weeks after planting.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

The substrate should be sandy, very well-draining, and rich in organic matter to promote healthy growth. It grows well in both acidic and basic (alkaline) soils.

- Exposure / Light:

Prickly Ivy needs plenty of bright light to bloom and develop properly. It is best to find a location in full sun.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

This vine grows best when temperatures range between 23 and 33°C. It is semi-hardy and can withstand light winter frosts. Its USDA hardiness zone is 5b.

- Watering / Irrigation:

Native to the Mediterranean basin, Smilax aspera is very drought-resistant. It requires watering twice a week during the first month after planting. Once established in the ground, regular irrigation is no longer necessary.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

It can be propagated by seed, layering, or by taking stem cuttings during the summer.

- Pests:

It may be susceptible to aphids or red spider mites. A treatment with Bordeaux mixture may be considered if necessary.