Ask John Negus
John has been answering reader queries for 50 year
How do I grow on my Dutchman’s pipe?
Q I acquired some Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s pipe) seeds and got them to successfully germinate. However, I find I cannot get any real information about growing them and wonder if you could assist, please?
Second, I have a serious allergy to wasp stings and have to carry two EpiPens with me. Are there any plants that deter wasps?
Dorothy Reeder, Co Leitrim, Ireland
A I am delighted that you have raised some strikingly beautiful Aristolochia macrophylla from seed and have robust seedlings.
Set them singly into 4in (10cm) pots of a compost mix formulated for seedlings, adding a quarter part, by volume, of coarse grit. Then grow them on in light shade in a temperature of around 66-70°F (19-21°C).
When the roots fill the pot, move the plants into containers 6in (15cm) larger in diameter. This time, set your charges in a blend of Miracle-Gro ericaceous compost mixed with a quarter part, by volume, of coarse grit.
Being a climber, your plant is best trained over netting or trellis. A word of warning, though. If you have a cat or dog, please keep it away from the plant, because if the animal’s fur or hair comes
