How early can I start MG's?

Next year I want morning glories up to the sky. How long before last frost could I start them indoors? What would be the best way to do this?

Hannelore,

Let's see it's 4:00 now and no one has come, so I will give it a shot.

I grow morning glories here as annuals so plant seeds whenever I feel like it. But having watched how quickly they germinate and grow, and not knowing your zone, wait til after your last frost to put your seeds in.

My MG's here only last about 3 months from start to finish, so I just let the seeds fall and they start their own new batch.

They tell me MG's do not like being transplanted so you should plant them directly in the ground. I like to put 3 seeds in a hole just to make sure I get enough to germinate.

Some will tell you to nick your seed and soak them over night. I think this is to speed up germination.

When I move up to zone 9 this winter, I will have to act differently in my gardening techniques, will need to learn new stuff.

Molly
:^)))

Hi Hannelore, I agree with Molly, they aren't worth starting ahead. They just don't like being transplanted. I even planted early in peat pots and you transplant pot and all so there is little disturbance to the roots. They still knew it and the ones I planted directly in the soil caught up and passed the others by. I tried some in a pot too and they did so much better in the ground; at least here for me. Just find a really nice sunny location and hope for the best. If you plant certain varieties they will self sow the next year.

Thanks, MollyMc and Lenjo! I hate to have to wait until May to get my seeds started, but I guess that's how it has to be! (P.S. Joann -- thanks for the package, which arrived the other day!)

All everyone has said above is good info. I have been growing them in pots and they have not done too well the last two years. Next season I am trying to plant them in the ground.

Only one thing that is working for me in transplanting is this. I use the plastic clear solo cups with seed starting soil and wait till the seedlings have just about fully filled the cup up with roots (you can see thru the cup) and just loosen the soil a little by squeezing the cup all around. The plants come out very easy and have their own rootball, so the roots do not get disturbed at all. I have not lost a single one and I start about 100 varieties each year. Then, like a fool, I transplant them into bigger pots.

Like I said, this coming year will be different, they will all be transplanted into the ground. They do much better there. You can also plant every other month too in our climate to keep the blooms going, some of mine even bloom during December (the ones that reseed themselves), very strange. I hope this info helps someone, I do start them indoors in January and they are really ready to put out by April. Nick and soak some of the hardshelled seeds and just soak the softer seeds to give them a headstart, they usually germinate in three or four days.

some of the pots from this year, photo from sometime in April/May I believe. Had over 100 pots by the time I finished and basically none are really doing too well in there.

Antoinette

WOW, Antoinette -- 100 varieties! I didn't even know there were that many! So I guess I'll try a few in the clear cups (as an experiment) but save most of my seed to go directly in the ground. This year I lost 100% of my seedlings to night nibblers (I don't know what kind), so next year all my "babies" will get their own little protective mini-fence. I'm also thinking of planting some blue ones along with yellow sunflowers so the vines can climb up the sunflower stalks. If it works, I'll post pictures.
Thanks for the info!
Hannelore

I have also heard that they don't like being transplanted but I have no problem as long as they are very young with like only 1-2 sets of leaves. If you tap the sides of the pot and tip it over, supporting the plant so you don't break up the root ball, they transplant very well for me.

budgielover - I too have actually never had any problem with transplanting MG's...keep them well watered both before and after transplanting...everyone goes by whatever experience that they've had...

Gourd, I grow mine in pots, too, and they've done well inspite of my inexperience. I think you need slightly larger pots than the ones in the photo, though. I'd go with a 3 gallon one.

I think you are safe early in the year just as long as the soil temperature is near 70 degrees F. Otherwise the seedlings tend to languish and fail to thrive.

Joseph

So -- does that mean the temperature shouldn't go below 70 even at night? 'Cause we usually get down around 60 - 65 at night even in the summer . . .

I just started a few seeds a few days ago. Our night temp has been around 60. The seeds have sprouted just fine. If you worry about the low night temp (maybe in the 50's), then you can start them indoors and transplant them when they are bigger. I'm new to growing MG's and they've never failed me... yet. :-))

It has been my experience that the soil temperature needs to be warm for the seedlings to germinate fast and take off growing. The temperature you cite is fine, give it a try and see what happens, yes?

Yes! Now to choose my varieties :)

Choose? As in rule some out? How do you do that? I want every single one I can get my dirty paws on, lol. And most of the ones that I can't!

mg

mornin_gayle I am tottaly with you on that. lol

Uh-oh, sounds like these MG's may be addictive?? Up to now my only serious addictions have been yarns and fabrics. Oh wait, and art supplies. Oops, forgot to mention tools. With this addictive personality, it looks like I may be in trouble with MG's!