Ipomoea bolusiana

I just ordered this strange caudex forming plant from a nursury. It has purplish morning glory flowers (when it flowers). These are in a six inch pot and sell for $35 if anyone else is interested.

Do you know if that one must be watered like a succlent? I can't keep any of that alive........ kill them with "kindness' I guess.
I read that they have to have a very special soil mix too. You might want to check that with RON to be sure tho.

Yes, this one needs to be watered like a succulent, which means NO water at all during the dormancy period (winter). Then only periodically during the growing season. I can't find a lot of info on it, but apparently it can be started by cuttings and seed. That fat caudex is where it stores its water.

Here is photo in bloom I found on the web. Looks like not much vegetative growth needs to be there to flower.

Here is the flower up close.

Really pretty pink flower!

Lovely flower Beth. Reminds me a little of carnea

Jackie

Great photos, I hope yours does that well and rewards you with blooms as pretty.

Here is the plant re-potted and supported.

Wonderful, pls keep us posted on growth and blooms whenever you get them.

Wow I love that bloom. I will be watching your progress before I decide to dive in.

I'm going to try to propagate it by cuttings if I get more vegetative growth.

This message was edited Nov 10, 2006 9:17 AM

you really are ambitious!

Cuttings are the only way, it rarely sets seed. Funny plant, when I got it in the mail bare-root it looked like a turnip. My husband accused me of buying a $35 turnip, but he was just joking.
;)

This message was edited Nov 10, 2006 9:19 AM

I sort of thought that was what it looked like also, but then I always get turnips and parsnips confused. What do I know, I grew up never seeing either or tasting them. Since I have but I couldn't tell you which or when, not impressive.


Your bulb on the other hand is very impressive.

Wow, what an interesting morning glory. You should post some photos in the Plantfiles. I found one there that has a really strange looking caudex. Reminds me of a slug or someother ugly bug. Says they can grow 3 meters long.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/117021/
.

I just found out from the nursery that my ipomoea bolusiana is approx. ten years old. Now I am thinking the price was rather inexpensive considering it has had ten years of care!
Beth

That is too cool!
Will be watching it's progress!
JanetS

I think this is a very interesting grower. Do you have a more specific name so I can find out where to get one?