Japanese MG source

I bought a lot of JMG seeds from a seller on ebay and not many of them germinated. I'm not blaming her; it may have been me. I may have overwatered or perhaps my mulch was too hot. This year I'd like to get seeds directly from Japan so I will know is it was me or the seeds. The other seeds that I planted did grow, slow, but they did grow. Again, I may have overwatered because I didn't want my seeds to dry out. I really appreciate your help. Thank.

Here is some information about sowing seeds.
http://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/Germination.htm

This message was edited Feb 16, 2007 7:28 PM

Happytrail, pre-germinate them before planting them. Some take a while to germinate and others do so in a week or less. If you want to know how to pre-germinate, just ask.

I have had some not so good experiences with people selling seeds on ebay but they are few and far between. You may want to write and let them know if you have a problem.

As a suggestion for a good seller, Komeri has great seeds. I never had any trouble sprouting them. I just got done sprouting some seeds from them and had great results. I have always had exellent results from this seller. Last year was super. Every pack of seeds produced healthy,beautiful plants. Here is the Heian No Izume I got from them. It came back true from hand pollinated seeds too. I have to brag a little because my experience was very good.

This message was edited Feb 17, 2007 9:13 AM

Thank you for your replies. I am bidding on his seeds on ebay! I really don't want to contact the seller because it may very well have been my fault. I had several odd things going on when I planted these seeds. I soaked them in water too long, probably a week. I planted them in fresh hardwood mulch and I think that I overwatered. I planted a lot of seeds in a new bed and I was afraid that they would dry out so I probably overdid it. Some of the seeds never absorbed any water, not many, just a few. I saved a few of the seeds from last year; I will try them again this year. I never told the seller last year that I had a problem because I probably caused the problems. She was really nice, even gave me extra seeds. She also told me how to pre-germ the seeds; I did save that document. I didn't pre-germ them because I never did it before with common MGs and I thought that MGs don't like to be transplanted. Do you recommend pre-germination? Transplanting won't be a problem? On the off chance that it was her seeds, I thought that I would like to try some packaged ones from Japan. I was so excited about those JMGs last year; it made winter almost tolerable here. I was telling everyone about how neat these new MGS were going to be. I'm not adding any new mulch this year in case it was too "hot". Has anyone ever planted them directly into mulch? In past years, I have planted tomatoes and green pepper seeds directly in the mulch and had no problem. Below the mulch I put down a few pages of newspaper to discourage weeds and grass from coming up. The newspaper is pretty soft after a few waterings; maybe the roots weren't able to reach the soil. I did this because I rototilled my front lawn and put in a cottage type garden. I put in different sizes and styles of trellises. Wire pyramid shapes for the MGs to climb. By August, my neighbors were complementing my "sculptures"! It was too funny, I had to come clean and explain that my MGs didn't grow. The green beans grew on them though. That could be because it was a larger seed and may have stronger roots to break through the newspaper under the mulch. Live and learn! Thanks MG admirers!

More than 6-8 hours of soaking could be too much. You lightly nick the seed on the end away from the little dimple where it was attatched to the mother plant and this helps with letting water into the seed. A little bitty scratch through the seedcoat is all it takes. It needs to be warm. I prefer to wait until April 15 th when it is really warmed up and the nights are no longer cool. Your seedlings will die if they get cold and your seeds may fail to germinate properly if they get cold as well. They need soft planting medium for their roots to sink down without making the seedling come up the wrong way and dry out the root resulting in a dead seedling. Actually doing it wrong will help you get it right. :) You will know everything to Not do. That is a little bit advice and I`m sure more can be added to that. I need to go clean up after my cats and feed my dogs. bye/bye

Dear Happytrail128,

Today I pick wild morning glory seeds off park fence. Flower is big cute white one and grows free in Japan. I send to you if you want to try. This one I will grow for group project

I use mobile phone for take picture.

The seedpods on this vine here
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/MGJapan_1171874555_661.jpg
look to be either Ipomoea hederacea or Ipomoea nil...it's hard to see what remains of the sepals at the base of the pods...a closeup of the pods might enable me to ID the exact species...or we'll just wait for the surprise...

Ron

Hey Ron, I'll have her send me the original picture and blow it up for a close view...

This is the best I can do with that picture. I'll find out where they are and get better pictures.

another view

The End.

Well,I'd say it's Ipomoea nil from what I can see...the sepals mostly seem to be folded back towards the seedpod base >which is very typical for Ipomoea nil and much less so for Ipomoea hederacea and there's no curling of the remaining sepal parts...so> I'd place my 'bets' on Ipomoea nil...

TTY,...

Ron

Thanks MGJapan for the offer of the free white MGs. I'd love them! I read in another thread that you are looking for yellow MGs. I might have a few from last year. I'll have to dig in my seed supply to find them. If you want some and I can find them, I'd be happy to send you some. If I have any, there won't be many but I'd be happy to share some with you.
I can't get enough of MGs! One of these days, I hope to have an artist paint MGs and hummingbirds on tiles so I can use the tiles as a backsplash in my kitchen. They are probably my favorite flower; my friends look at me like I'm crazy when I excitedly tell them about the seeds I've ordered.

Happytrail128, thanks.
Any of the bright yellow MG seeds you can spare would be fine. We`re sending you some of the white MG seeds. In Japan they`re known as Shiro Hana Asagao and in other areas as Shiro iro. I`m sure they`re called something else in other parts of Japan too. It`s Ipomoea nil and very common in Japan.

When your friends see your garden this year their eyes are going to pop out. Good luck and happy gardening!

Ron, here's one more look. I took pictures before getting seeds. If anybody want some of these white flower MG seeds let's set up a coop. They are free.

Hello - The photo above is showing some sepal curling on the seedpod on the right,...this curling would not be present in Ipomoea nil when the parts are still green>only some curling develops when the sepals completely dry out...the way that all of the dried sepals are folded back it still very typical of Ipomoea nil,but rarely on Ipomoea hederacea...

So,I'm still with you that it's Ipomoea nil...

TTY,...

Ron

MGJapan,

Count me in, I woud LOVE to grow this beauty.

Emma

Me too. I`m unsure what I could offer in return. I have some little creamy white with interesting leaf merremia verecunda seeds which grew very well in a hot difficult to keep watered place in my garden and this one makes seed pods and seems heat and draught tolerant. The leaves are somewhat succulent and maybe that is how they can stand the heat and draught. I will definitely grow these again. Ron has a bunch of these because I sent him most of the seeds and kept some to grow again since I liked the leaves and they were cute mixed in with my other plants. Also I have ipomoea obscura yellow which is one inch yellow flowers. I have lots of nils too many to list but would be willing to trade if I had anything you needed.

This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 10:24 AM

I would love to try some too if you have enough!! And welcome to the best group of morning glory lovers around!! ☺

OK you got it.

Emma, Gardener2005 and Luvsgrtdanes, D-mail where you want the seeds to be mailed and I'll have the group ready your packages this saturday when we meet.

Gardener2005, that a nice looking flower you posted. Is it a vine plant "the creamy white with interesting leaf?

MGJapan,

I would also be interested in a few seeds of the "wild" white Ipomoea nil.

I have the white moonflower, Ipomoea alba, a white Ipomoea cordatotriloba (collected in wild), and seed from a mixed lot of Ipomoea lacunosa that had white and pink flowers that I also collected in the wild.

Arlan

Thanks MGJapan....

I will D-Mail you my address.

Ron, I'd like to cross this Wild White JMG with my Acapulco Blue this year.
That should make an interesting MG.

Karen,
What do you think?

Emma

Ooooh Arlan,

I would LOVE to have some of your White Ipomoea cordatotriloba. I also grew one last year and most got mixed in with my Pink Form. I would like to grow yours as well this year to compare when I regrow my White 'separately' from the Pink, for any differences.

Emma

Emma, ....I'll D-mail you! - Arlan

Hi Emma,

That's the idea. One of the local garden shop owners told me these are very popular for crossing with the other more stable MG types. They are also a popular choices for school projects here. Good luck and I'm sure we will be talking and sharing our results.

Hi Atenkley,

OK you got it. They will be packaged and mailed out this saturday. D-Mail us where you want them mailed.

To all others who are interested THIS OFFER WILL EXPIRE AFTER TODAY!

This message was edited Feb 21, 2007 8:59 AM

Hi everyone! I think experimenting with crosses of the acapulco blue and the wild white would be very interesting both ways pod parent and pollen parent.
I`m going to grow everything out first and observe the traits and any positives about each one and do some match making according to what might be perty. :)

Wow,next year is going to be fun seeing the results of everyone`s hard work and dedication!

MGJapan, the merremia verecunda is not a Ipomoea Nil but is a vine with a climbing habit if given the support behaving much like the morning glory Ipomoea Nil and makes pods similar in some ways. The merremia verecunda and ipomoea nil are two different genus and species in the Morning Glory Family Convolvulaceae.

You let the pods turn brown and papery and they are ready to harvest. The creamy white flowers are small about an inch but it blooms many. It looks like poppy flowers on a climbing vine. I liked the way it appeared so fresh and green while my other plants were wilting in the heat. It is from Africa so that makes sense to me.

I`ll send a few for trade if you like and I know where to send. Have a good day all :)



This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 7:04 PM

Thanks for the tip MGJapan...

Karen,
Yes, the crossing going on this year is going to prove very interesting.

Your Merremia verecunda sounds lovely....

but try not to confuse MGJapan. Don't forget he too is 'learning'

A 'Merremia' IS a member of the Convolvulaceae Family (The Morning Glory Family)
just as a 'Morning Glory' IS a member of the Convolvulaceae Family (The Morning Glory Family).

Emma

Thanks MGJapan I will D-mail you my address shortly.

Emma, correction accepted since I too am learning!

Ipomoea and merremia are different genus in the Morning Glory Family Convolvulaceae.

Ipomoea nil and Merremia verecunda are two different genus and species in the Morning Glory Family Convolvulaceae.

Convolvulaceae Family

Genus species

Merremia(genus) verecunda(species)

Ipomoea(genus) Nil (species)

What I meant by not related was they aren`t the same thing as a Nil and can`t interbreed. It was Incorrect to use the words 'not related' because it could be misunderstood easily. I should have said it isn`t a Ipomoea Nil but is a different genus and species in the Morning Glory Family called merremia verecunda.





This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 7:08 PM

Hello:MGJapan if available I would like to try a few of Your MG seeds.I have some JMG seeds I can send you.Thanks! Karla

OMG, do I ever have a lot to learn! LOL...
Crossing MGs, rub pollen from one plant on the other? Is that the way to do it? I've never crossed plants, this will be way too much fun!

Happytrail128, what a great question and I have been researching the topic a bit............. My understanding is It's a matter of making sure that both plants are flowering. Pollen from the anther of one flower would need to be transferred to the stigma of the other flower. The anther is often though not always yellow. The stigma is in the very center of the flower and represents part of the female reproductive structure in flowering plants.

I'm sure that some of the more experience members can add to this great question and maybe it has been discussed prior on the site somewhere. You are on the right track!.

Check this site:
http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/asagao/yoneda_db/E/Introduction/htmls/43.html

You choose your parent plants beforehand. Then in the evening before it gets dark you go search for flowers that look like they are just about to open. This takes practice and after a while you will get expert at finding them. For the pollen parent you simply tie the bloom 3/4 of the way up to keep it closed without damaging any of the reproductive parts. This keeps the pollen from being mixed with other pollen by bees and insects. For the pod parent of a cross you gently open it and remove the anthers that hold the pollen. They look like little sacks connected to hair like structures surrounding the white tube in the very middle which is the pistil. After you remove the pollen you tie the flower back up.

The next morning early you find one of your pod parents and fix a tag with a small thin plant marker with a hole punched out with a hole puncher. Write a number,the date and pod parent x pollen parent on the tag. Tie the tag below the flower with a piece of yarn securely but not tight or constricting. This will allow the pod to get nourishment from the mother plant and the tag will not blow away if high winds occur. Record all the information in a small book for reference and note location so you can come back and check on the pod and eventually collect the seeds. Next, Go find your pollen parent,untie it, remove and collect the pollen bearing anthers. They should be letting out the powdery pollen. You collect in a small container,mark the side of the container what kind of flower the pollen came from and then go to your pod parent that had the pollen removed the night before and untie it. You rub the collected pollen on the selected pod parent right onto the pistil. Rub the pollen gently so you don`t damage the tube. Then tie it back 3/4 of the way to the top with lightweight yarn and leave it secure. You may use little bitty paper bags or make miniature paper coverings out of newspaper by folding it tent shaped and securing with a small piece of yarn. Wash hands between varieties. You may use your pollen for another different cross and simply repeat the process. Gentle,careful handling is necessary because all the flower parts are delicate and very easily damaged. The next day All these paper coverings should be removed asap to avoid any moisture problems especially since the pollination is done and there are no more worries of unwanted pollen getting on the flower. Keep your book and make rounds to check and see after 10 days which pods "took". If they are attatched where you see the tag and beginning to grow and swell up then you make a check mark in he box that it took. If you see that it fell off and nothing is there then it did not take and you mark an x that it didn`t take. Then you can mark on a calender the days to wait about a month (30 days) sometimes a little more until they are brown and papery being ready to pick. I check around after 1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks,then week 4 a few may look almost ready and then after another 5 days some are ready and few more days for some others. You get to where you just know when to check and how much longer it will take after you have been working with them for a while. It is also good to check often to make sure no disease or pests are spoiling your pods.

Well,that is all I can think of now. Good luck. :)





This message was edited Feb 21, 2007 11:02 PM

OK, All the lucky people on this list will get the wild MG seeds plus some surprise MG seeds from our group.
I told the group leader they better bring me some MG seeds too.

Happytrail128, Momcat, Gardener2005, Luvsgrtdanes, Gourd, Emma, Atenkley, KayJones

There is something that someone could send me and it has nothing to do with gardening. I would really like 1 or 2 of the instant packages of brown gravy so I can make myself some old fashion smothered chicken and give my rice and sushi some flavor. You guys may laugh but I'm very serious. Just want a taste of home cooking.

J.R.

This message was edited Feb 21, 2007 8:42 PM

I'll send you some gravy! Beef or chicken? Include your address where you would like these shipped in the package of seeds that I bought from you. Thank you for the extra seeds; I can't wait!

That's great, I will send some too! How about something for dessert? Maybe some chocolate chip cookie mix or even the cookies themselves!

Thank you gardener2005 for the thorough instructions. I copied it to a word file that I'm going to print and place in my gardening bag. Wow! I have to get organized. LOL