As someone who's incredibly passionate about Brugmansia, it probably comes as no surprise that I would feel similarly about Cup of Gold Vine (Solandra maxima), considering their impressive flowers. My family had one growing along the fence in our backyard when I was growing up and I've never forgotten those gigantic cup shaped yellow flowers and their delicious coconutty scent.
Also known as Chalice Vine, Golden Chalice Vine, Hawaiian Lily and Honolulu Lily, Solandra maxima is an enormous, vigorous, woody flowering climber with large (25cm diameter) cup shaped, coconut scented yellow flowers with a purple stripe down the centre of each petal and glossy foliage. Native to Central and South America. Evergreen through most parts of Australia, but deciduous-partly deciduous in cooler climates. In Australia it will grow well as far south as Melbourne.
Climber / creeper 6 - 8m height and spread (can be pruned)
Yellow flowers ribbed with brown to red
Requires sturdy trellis
Flowers in Spring and Summer
Suits pots or beds
Evergreen (deciduous in cooler climates)
Very fast rate of growth
All parts are toxic if ingested. Potential skin irritant.
Perfumed
If you've ever wanted to grow Cup of Gold Vine, Brisbane Brugmansia Angel's Trumpets now stock unrooted semi-hardwood cuttings of this easy to propagate and grow plant. Following is the propagation process I follow... and it couldn't be easier!...
Propagation Technique
1. Take a semi-hardwood cutting and place it in a jar of water, covering approximately 2 cm of the base of the cutting. In a matter of days, the beginnings of roots (lenticels) will form.
2. Any cutting can rot quickly if left in water too long, so at this stage I remove the cuttings from water and pot them up in quality well draining potting mix.
Place the cuttings in a sunny spot and keep them well watered.
3. The lenticels will keep developing into roots over the next few weeks and foliage will also start forming.
In this image, these cuttings have been in the pot for around three weeks. How long this takes for you, will vary upon many factors, from your climate, to the conditions and care you provide.
Remember, propagation is not an exact science... when dealing with live material, there will always be losses. Brisbane Brugmansia Angel's Trumpets supply 20 cm semi-hardwood cutting lengths and they are available singly, or in a value saving pack of two. You can always cut these in half as well. I often propagate from 10 - 15 cm cuttings myself.
4. Pull gently on the cutting at this stage and if it's firmly in there, you'll know roots are well formed. You can now plant the cutting into its final position... whether that be in a large pot, or in ground.
Remember, Cup Of Gold Vine is a vigorous and large vine, so choose a position with ample space and a sturdy fence/trellis for support.
For more information on Cup of Gold Vine and any products available for purchase, visit Brisbane Brugmansia Angel's Trumpets