The original chocolate morning glory. I purchased my seeds from J L Hudson about 10 yrs ago. I'm just certain this was the same glory
that Thompson and Morgan carried for yrs. The picture in the T and M
catalog was identical to my vine. I was down to 2 seeds so I grew
one out this yr to restock my seed supply.
This one is not as large or as pretty as Rose Silk. It has
a white eye or throat, no picotee border.
Another member also grew this one this yr. Laurrie or Ronnie?
Jackie
Isn't it wonderful that MG seeds have years of viability. I just purchased an unopened pack on ebay from the 50's. I wonder if they would still germinate?
Beth
Beth, I bet they will. They (mg seeds) have been touted to be viable between 50
to 100 yrs. I think perhaps the species aren't good for that long. I didn't get any
germination this summer from Macrrorhiza or however its' spelled. I was so
dissapointed.
What variety did you purchase?
Jackie
Looks like a mix of flowers, doesn't really say exactly what.
It says "Imperial Mixture" if it's hard to read.
A beauty Jackie!! Mine had the picotee white edge. Save those seeds!! I am waiting on solid from a trade, Hopefully it will be true. I think I will start it inside.
Beth, Maybe an old fashioned mix. Very pretty as shown on the pkt. I need to look at
Onalee's site again. She sells an imperial mix I believe. Hers might be Giant Imperial mix.
Memory fails me.
Jackie
Thanx Ronnie. Lmk if you don't get the solid seeds. I have a few I can spare.
Jackie
I checked Onalee's site and her "imperial mix" is all Ipomoea nil. Some of them with the white border do look like the artists illustration on the packet. It will be exciting to try to start seeds that have been dormant for over 50 years!
Beth
Yes, will be exciting. Hope you try just 1 soon. Although that won't be a good test,
since some might still be viable and others past the point of no return.
Here's hoping that they all germinate for you. The rest of us will be begging for seeds.LOL
Jackie
baolvera - Nice find...Imperial mix could be any type of Ipomoea nil or Ipomoea purpurea...the sepals on the illustration on the packet look elongated like Ipomoea nil...
Are all of the seeds dark and of the same size(?)...any light colored seeds(?)...
If you can post or send me a closeup of the seeds I could probably tell what species they are ...
The viability varies with the species and the cultivar...usually large thich shelled seeds stay viable longer than smaller thin shelled seeds...how the seeds were stored is a major factor...
Many seeds do not respond well to very quick starting techniques and are designed by nature to break dormancy when they sense the right conditions...which could vary even from seed to seed...seeds that are in deep dormancy usually respond better to a slower starting technique,but we'll all hope for the best on your 'cache'...
TTY,...
Ron
I have not opened the package yet, I'm still enjoying the delightful suspense. When I do, I will photograph the seeds. I may just put them in seed-starting soil and wait for nature to take its course this spring.
Beth
Ron, I noted your remark about germinating "seeds...in deep dormancy" with respect to EmmaGrace's method that definitely seems more geared to a "quick starting technique". Thank you - very useful. I'm going to see what else I can learn around here before I put it up on my DG journal page for everyone to use.
Patootie and Baolvera, there seems no end to germinating surprises when it comes to ipomoea, does there? Does anyone know what the oldest Ipomoea seed known to be germinated might have been? Maybe something tucked away in a 18th or 19th century herbarium from one of the botanic expeditions of the time?
Karen, I would also like to know the answer to that question. I'm fairly certain
that it was in Mr Hudson's catalog (an old cat) that I read 100 yr old seeds have been known to germinate. Would love to know what was shared with J L Hudson to back that
statement up.
If Beth's seeds germinate from 1949, 57 yrs is still pretty impressive.
Jackie
Yes, indeedy. I wonder how they'll compare to whatever their closest, current counterpart is. Ron, what would you think - hypothetically - about using gibberellic acid on old MG seeds like Baolvera's?
