Morning Glory Garden Performance Trial

Maybe some of you would be interested in what I am doing. I am an Associate Professor of Horticulture at Auburn University (land-grant university) in Auburn, Alabama, USA. I have conducted a summer and winter bedding plant trial garden at two locations (north and south) in the state since 1997. My trials was awarded "All American Display Garden" status this year. I think many highly motivated, lifetime learners such as university professors are at least borderline obsessive (Are we sick?). My obsession this year is to trial garden vines (initially morning glories). My objective is to evaluate the garden performance of a variety of garden vines to provide the production industry, retail, and consumers quantitative information on performance in Alabama. To my knowledge, this work has not been done. To date, I have seed of 442 different species and cultivars of vines, mostly morning glories. Beginning next week we (my group of graduate and undergraduate students) will sow seed of about 70 Ipomoea purpurea, Ipomoea tricolor, Ipomoea ximperialis, and a few others. The vines will be replicated 3 times on 6-foot wire cages (2 x 4" dog fence wire) and we will collect performance data throughout the season relating to rate of growth, size, fullness, early bloom, bloom number, bloom size, etc. I figure it will take me 5 years, at least, to complete this because I have limited space and manpower. Results will be statistically analyzed and published in a variety of outlets. Specifically, we will take lots of picture and post the results on out Landscape Horticulture homepage. I have enlisted the help of out university plant taxonomist to help work out some of the ID issues (a deep and possibly, bottomless pit!). Am I crazy? Some of my faculty think so. I mentioned this to our plant pathologist and he said, "You mean you are going to intentionally plant those weeds!" I softened him up and he has agreed to look at disease incidence. I am eager to here your thoughts, suggestions and, possibly, evaluation of my state of mind. Two questions. I purchased seed from Thompson & Morgan labeled Ipomoea andersonii yet can find no information on this plant. Is the name an old synonym? Also Ipomoea mirabilis? Thanks, stay tuned!

HI Raymond,
ALL of this information is right here on Daves.
Some of the species will not have photos listed, but there will be SOME information there.

Ron can tell you EXACTLY how to get to this information. He has given me the steps before on how to get there, but Now I can't remember, and my notes with instructions when I had my computer crash a short time ago are gone.

Daves Data Base is LOADED with information that you will find very helpful to you.

I'm sure Ron will reply to this Thread and we can both find out how to get to the proper files.

Emma

Thanks Emma, but the plantfile database turns up nothing on Ipomoea andersonii or Ipomoea mirabilis.

This was what came up when I did some googling
Janett

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/99159/
http://www.google.se/search?hl=sv&q=Ipomoea+andersonii&btnG=Google-s%C3%B6kning&meta=
http://www.google.se/search?hl=sv&q=Ipomoea+mirabilis&btnG=S%C3%B6k&meta=


This message was edited Apr 15, 2006 7:18 PM

Information IS there!
Just need Ron to tell us how to get to the main files.

You wouldn't believe all of the different species of Convolvulaceae that are in those files. Meanwhile, let me go through some of my other notes and maybe I can find what to click on.

Or, I'll write Terry, in case Ron is out of town for the weekend.

Emma

Hi Raymond. Welcome to the "club" of enthusiastic folks who actually love that "weed" you are setting up experiments on. Lots of very knowledgable people here on this site. Must be nice to have student helpers to work on your experiment. This last week I have gone through the process of mixing, setting up, planting, etc, of some 50 varieties of Japanese Morning Glories and still have a number of non-JMG's to go. Wish I'd a had a few hearty helpers and could still use a few volunteers!

Will look forward to seeing the information you post on your trials. That's what this forum is all about, sharing information that may be helpful to our fellow MG growers.

Perry

Here are the search results for everything in the PlantFiles for the Convolvulaceae family: http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=convolvulaceae&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Here are all Ipomoea entries, sorted by species: http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=convolvulaceae&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=Ipomoea&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=genus&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Here's a more "bare-bones" list of all Convolvulaceae species: http://davesgarden.com/pf/tools/names.php?family=Convolvulaceae&z=genus

This is found by clicking on the "Search and Browse Tools" link within PlantFiles (the links are just below the main feature tabs across the top.)

Click on view all families, and page through until you find the Convolvulaceae family.

You are correct -there are no entries for either Ipomoea andersonii or I. mirabilis - you're welcome to create the entries if you'd like, and add as much information as you have to the details section along with images and/or an observation/comment on each plant.

Here you go, Raymond.

THANKS TERRY!

Emma

Welcome Raymond!

This is an enthusiastic bunch with a wealth of knowledge they are willing to share. I think you will find that there is an entry for Ipomoea andersonii in the plant files, although maybe mis-labeled, it is under the genus Ipomoea with no species listed and Andersonii as the cultivar. Janett-D's first link takes you to the pictures of this entry. Here is the main file:

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/94374/index.html

I have two seedling I'm starting this year from Thompson and Morgan seed as well. They germinated quite well, but they are very slow growers so far for me, I believe this is described in the details of the plant files as well.

Where have you conducted your "southern" Alabama trials? The Fairhope station? I live a few mile east of that Auburn facility. Look forward to some insight into your MG trials. - Arlan

Thanks to Janett, the I. andersonii entry has been corrected ;o)

rkesslerjr - Ipomoea 'andersonii' is a marketing name and is not recognized as a legitimate species by any serious Convolvulaceae reseachers,but seems to be a culti-variety of an Ipomoea in the Eriospermum series...the seeds of I.'andersonii' closely resemble Ipomoea amnicola and some other closely related species in Africa..
Ipomoea 'mirabilis' is a spurious name,and the small seeded species offered by marketers in the Reunion Islands seems to most closely resemble Merremia gemella...

Do NOT presume that any botanical names from any marketers are legitimate,in fact there are so(!) many identification errors,that unless you 'triple' check all variety and botanical names...there is more than a good chance that the evaluation study will be evaluating species and varieties that are grossly misnamed/misidentified...

"I have enlisted the help of our university plant taxonomist to help work out some of the ID issues (a deep and possibly, bottomless pit!)"

Deep,but not bottomless...the more familiar the taxonomist is with the details of Convolvulaceae ID,the better...unfortunately,most sites offering Convolvulaceae identification information are full of outdated binomials and other assorted ID errors...

Sounds like an interesting and worthwhile venture,but You've definitely got you work cut out for you...we'll be interested to see what becomes of it...

Good Luck(!)...and....

TTY,...

Ron

This message was edited Oct 19, 2006 7:46 AM

Here you have a screenpic of San Fransiscos Botanical Gardens Taxonomilist. From what I can see they have Andersonii listed as its own. You can wright and ask them at
plants@sfbotanicalgarden.org

Boy Ron, you sure are full of cheer for my little obsession! I'm teasing. I knew this was going to be a taxinomic nightmare. By the way, have you been to Dr. David F. Austin's site (www.fau.edu/divdept/biology/people/daustin/)? I will send you an e-mail attachment of all I have collected. It includes genus, species, cultivar, and source but are you sure you want to tackle it?
Jannett_D, Thanks for the links. The second one led me to EXOTISCHE NUTZ- UND ZIERPFLANZEN and a few more Ipomoeas.
Now, I know this comment is going to open a big can of worms at Dave's Garden. One of the first things I noticed in the PlantsFile Database is the total lack authorities for scientific names. Does this concern anyone?
Several of you commented on student Involvement in this trial. I offer a college credit course called Special Problems. That's where students work on a project directly with me, no classroom, hands on, correct experimental design, data analysis, and final report. My class is in high demand because, well, I am the flower man and I work in a greenhouse. Many students find this very attractive. I am already booked through 2006.

rkesslerjr, we don't cite authorities. It was a deliberate decision when the database grew beyond its first 100 plants, and began to take on a life of its own. The reasons for leaving them off are mostly practical.

PlantFiles is:
1) An open database. Meaning anyone can add an entry. Most of our members are not taxonomists by training or experience, and our database is designed as an "everyman's" database of plants, not a purely scientific database. Adding properly formatted authority citations would add a layer of complexity for very little benefit to our typical users.

2) A relational database. Adding authorities would have meant creating additional fields in order to provide cross-referencing capabilities. (Which would lead back to more work for our editors to keep new entries straight.)

The ICBN gives applications such as ours some latitude in this area. We opted to forego providing authority information in favor of giving the derivations/etymology of botanical names ;o)

Terry, I understand and can more than appreciate the complexity. Forgive the scientist in me. I hope the trial work I have planned will cast some light on the genus Ipomoea. Thanks!

rkesslerjr - I've been growing and collecting various MG's for over 4 decades...I share your interest in both the MG's and in up-to-date taxonomy...

"By the way, have you been to Dr. David F. Austin's site"...(!?!?)...

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/587621/

Let me know what your MG ID taxonomist thinks of the 'Mazingy Thingy'...

Prof. Austin has some nice reference info on New World species...but of course,there's the 'little' matter of all of EurAsia,Afica and Australia to be considered...

If you get a chance,ask Prof.Austin what he thinks of Ipomoea 'andersonii'...

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/587621/

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/550061/


"I will send you an e-mail attachment of all I have collected. It includes genus, species, cultivar, and source but are you sure you want to tackle it?"...

Are you sure you(!) want to tackle it(!)...


I'm still waiting for your reply to the Daves-mail I sent you...

TTY,...

Ron

P.S. I enjoyed some correspondence recently with a Dr. of botany who teaches in the UK ...he had a photo he had taken at Kew Gardens on his website describing Ipomoea tricolor...the photo was of Ipomoea indica...his site has been updated,but the ID tag at Kew still says Ipomoea tricolor...



This message was edited Apr 17, 2006 11:26 AM

Please share pictures of your performance trial gardens, Raymond! What a great project!

Joseph

Joseph (Gerris2): Don't worry. We have plans to take and post digital images of flowers and foliage. In addition, I noted RON's comments about the black flowered cultivars of Ipomoea purpurea, they may all be the same. We have a well-lite copy stand, with a dissecting microscope and attached digital camera so we can examine floral structures and document features in detail. I don't fool myself by thinking I can solve all the Ipomoea ID problems but maybe I can at least cast some light. Thanks!
RON; Yes I have been to Dr. David F. Austin's site! I have down loaded and studies a lot of the information. However, beyond a certain point, I suffer mental melt-down! It will take time.

I hate when mental meltdown happens. What's the cure, mental floss?