Why Grow Ipomoea (Morning Glory) From Seeds?
The Ipomoea or Morning Glory as it’s otherwise known will transform a dull garage wall or rickety fence and will take no time to cover to it. This fast-growing climber will thrive in a sunny position. Suttons have a great choice of Morning Glory seeds with varied colours, offering something a little bit different. ‘Heavenly blue’ is a good description of this light blue flower. For something totally different the ‘Crimson Rambler’. For more of a mix ‘Inkspots’ gives a range of purples, pinks and whites.
How To Grow Ipomoea From Seed?
As a half-hardy annual, growing morning glory from seed indoors before May is a must. They need to be sown between February and April under glass in a gentle heat, or straight outdoors during May for flowering through July to September.
- Start ipomoea seeds on a window-sill in a propagator. They germinate freely but it's a good idea to soak the seeds in water before sowing. Use a decent peat-free seed compost, sow in March to April and pot on after germination, support with pea sticks as they start to grow
- Harden off and plant out after all danger of frost. It’s important not to plant out too early as chilly winds will check these plants and slow down their progress. June 1st is a good mark to hit
- After planting out ipomoea seedlings, water well as they establish, once the plants start to grow and climb, little watering is required. Although a good organic mulch, not to thick will help keep moisture around surface roots
- To keep the plant strong and robust ipomoea will enjoy a good foliar feed of potash to boost flower production, a tomato feed will suffice.
- Keep your morning glory vine plants free of weeds, especially when they are young. They are delicate plants to touch so make sure you weed around them with care
Have some fun with your morning glories flower, train them on a wigwam of canes in cottage garden border or try cascading them from a hanging basket.
The good news about Ipomoea is that it takes poor soils, so if you have stony ground near walls it will happily grow away it will also take dry conditions. It is great for pollinators like Butterflies and that alone warrants a go at sowing this plant.
Ipomoea seed Germination
Ipomoea seeds should germinate within 5 to 20 days. Once the seedlings emerge grow on in a warm frost free place. The Ipomoea plants need to be acclimatised to outside condition before planting out up against a sunny wall or shed.
