Morning glories are annual vining flowers that bloom, as the name suggests, early in the day. These old-fashioned favorites love to climb. Their trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in vibrant shades of purple, blue, red, pink, and white which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Growing morning glories from seed is fairly easy if you know the trick to ensure quick germination.
Morning Glory Seed Propagation
When starting morning glories from seed, it can take two and a half to three and a half months before they begin blooming. In northern climates where cold winters and shorter growing seasons are the norms, it's best to start morning glories from seed indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date.
When germinating seeds of morning glory, use a file to nick the hard coating of the seeds. Soak them in water overnight. Plant the seeds ¼ inch (6 mm.) deep in fertile soil. This trick helps the seeds take up water and germinate quickly.
Germination time for morning glories averages four to seven days at a temperature of 65 to 85 degrees F. (18-29 C.). Keep the soil moist, but not soggy while germinating. Seeds of morning glory are toxic. Be sure to keep seed packets, seeds that are soaking, and those planted in trays away from children and pets.
Morning glories can also be directly seeded in the ground once the danger of frost has passed, and the ground temperature reaches 65 degrees F. (18 C.). Choose a location that receives full sun, good drainage, and is near a vertical surface for the vines to climb. They do well near fences, railings, trellises, archways, and pergolas.
When planting seeds outside, nick and soak the seeds. Water thoroughly. Once sprouted, thin the seedlings. Space morning glories 6 inches (15 cm.) apart in all directions. Keep the flowerbed watered and weeded until the young plants are established.
Working compost or aged animal manure into the ground before planting morning glory seeds or transplanting seedlings provides nutrients and helps retain soil moisture. A fertilizer designed for flowers can be applied according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Avoid overfertilizing as this can cause leafy vines with few flowers. Mulching will also retain moisture and control weeds.
Although morning glories grow as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, they can be treated as annuals in colder climates. The seeds form in pods and can be collected and saved. Instead of planting morning glory seeds each year, gardeners can let the seeds drop for self-seeding. However, flowering may be later in the season and the seeds can spread morning glories to other areas of the garden. If this becomes problematic, simply deadhead the spent flowers before they have a chance to form seed pods.
-
Elegant Exotics: 8 Beautiful Amaryllis Varieties That Will Brighten Any Holiday DisplayWhether red, pink, white or variegated, the right amaryllis varieties can enhance any living space, especially during the holidays. We round up eight of the most exquisite
-
Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own BackyardIn addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
-
Watering Morning Glories: How Much Water Do Morning Glories NeedEasy care and fast growing, morning glories offer a sea of blossoms in pink, purple, red, blue and white. Like most other summer annuals, they need water to thrive. Click here for information about morning glory watering needs.
-
Yellow Morning Glory Foliage – Treating Yellow Leaves On Morning GloriesThere is a risk of yellowing leaves on morning glories, which can give the plants an unsightly look and damage their health. Click this article to learn about what to do when your morning glory leaves are yellow.
-
Why Morning Glory Is Not Blooming: Getting Morning Glories To FlowerMorning glory is a prolific vining plant that produces masses of blooms. Non-flowering plants aren't the norm but is fixable. Click here for suggestions.
-
Morning Glory Pest Control: Dealing With Common Pests Of Morning GloryMorning glories are hardy plants and are normally healthy, but sometimes insects on morning glory vines harm the health of the plant. Read this article to learn more about what pests you can expect.
-
Problems With Morning Glories: Morning Glory Vine DiseasesMorning glories are typically hardy vines; however, they can sometimes suffer problems. Read this article to find out what these may be and how to treat them promptly. Click here for more info.
-
Morning Glory Trimming: When And How To Prune Morning Glory PlantsMorning glory vines can reach lengths of up to 15 feet (4.5 m.), twining themselves around anything. To keep these plants well managed, some morning glory trimming may be necessary. This article will help with that.
-
Morning Glory Control: How To Kill Morning Glory WeedsMorning glory weeds in the garden can take over garden areas. So you may want to know how to kill morning glory weeds. This article will help.
-
Collecting And Storing Morning Glory Seeds: How To Store Seeds Of Morning GloriesMorning glory flowers are a cheerful, old-fashioned type of bloom. Learn how to save seeds of the morning glory in this article to continue your garden in next spring's planting without buying more seed packets.
