Overwintering Ipomoea carnea roots

Ipomoea carnea fistulosa is pretty easy to grow from seeds or cuttings. I already have some cuttings started in pots that I'll bring in over the winter. But I thought it would be novel to try to overwinter a couple that were growing in the ground this year.

Two that I started from seed and gave to my mom back in May were damaged in the strong storms we had from the remnants of Katrina. She asked me to dig them up for her this morning so I did and here they are.

One way to save these for next year might be to put them in big pots and fill with dirt and keep inside with my cuttings. But can I get away with less? Can I just clean these off and keep them in a cool dry place in the basement till spring?

Any other suggestions?

Kevin - I have mine in 3 gallon pots right now in my greenhouse. They wouldn't do well directly outside here in the ground where I live I don't think. What zone are they a hardy perennial, any idea? I too am curious if I can cut them back and bring in the house. Wonder what they would need to stay alive, kept dry maybe? Where would you cut them to make a cutting grow? Glad you posted this :)
Dennis

Growing from cuttings is pretty easy. Just whack off a healthy stem and put in water. Avoid direct sun. New roots started forming from this one in just a couple of days. Sorry no photo of the roots.

This message was edited Sep 18, 2005 4:53 PM

And here is that same cutting today...

I live in zone 5 and have kept mine alive for 2+ years. I cut it back to about 12 to 18 inches,bring the pot in and keep in in a window.I water it about once a week....just keep it moist. Take it back outside after threat of frost and it blooms beautifully!

Kevin & golgi - Thanks to both of you for the advice. I think I will try both methods this year. I have a few seeds I collected, but would like to keep these alive for next year. Here's a photo of ours that we grew this season. Thanks again!
Dennis

Kevin, I wouldn't suggest overwintering them out of the soil. I tried that one year with Ipomoea macrorhiza, with disasterous results. They turned to complete mush. :-(

Yes,finding the right balance of moisture seems to be one of the main 'tricks'..e.g.,I overwintered two just to have them go bad on me the following year...too little and they dry up and don't come back...and what can seem like 'just enough' can be too much and they just rot...
Use your senses as best as you can and hope for the best...

Okay, thanks everyone.

I'll stop after work this afternoon and get a pot big enough for these.

I lost one last winter that was over 2-years old.
It topped out at 16'.
The Trunk is still in the ground.
Guess it's time to dig it up when I clean out that bed.
I believe I lost mine because I cut it back too far,
which I will not do this year.
I also had the base covered with a huge piece of plastic bubble wrap.
It was such a beauty too.

Here are three of my babies from this year
that I started from cuttings from my 16' Tree.
Thought I'd try them in a group and they look great.
These are now about 10' and still growing.

Here is a night time shot of the plants, but you can't tell as much about them.
I'm looking for a White one - just haven't gotten there yet to look for one.

Dennis...True, these guys root VERY easily in water - Just like Brugs.
You would make a killing selling these as plants *-*
Emma