Ocean Blue - good beginner choice?

I just bid on an Ocean Blue on ebay. Its in a 3 and a half inch pot, and is a 26" vine. I was impressed that the seller doesn't want to send it bareroot, as she said they don't like their roots disturbed. I've never grown MGs before - this will be my first. Its very hot and dry here (S. California high desert). Not much can take my climate. Can this MG take full, searing sun and over 100F temps for much of the summer? I sure hope so. I love the color. I have very sandy (obviously) soil, actually sandy loam, so it shouldn't be much of a problem as far as invasiveness. I DID do a bit of research and what I read online told me that Ocean Blue has slightly larger blooms than Heavenly blue. And that they stay open for most of the day. Yip-ee! Anything I need to know, except to plant it as soon as it arrives? Should it be protected from the sun when newly planted, for a short while? Bear with me. . . I'm a rank newbie to MGs, LOL. It will be a companion to my agaves. Thanks!

Randi

Is this Blue Dawn? It looks just like mine. Mine gets full sun. It wilts a little late afternoon but, bounces back.
Okay went and investigated and it is the same. I had never heard it called Ocean Blue.
It is a perennial MG.

This message was edited Jun 29, 2007 1:42 PM

I noted Blue Dawn or Ocean Blue all over Palm Springs....and it IS hot there. I think you made a good choice.

Hi Randi,
Yes, Blue Dawn can take the heat and DOES bloom all day.

Here is another listing
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUE-DAWN-Morning-Glory-Vine-36-PERENNIAL-PLANT_W0QQitemZ200123345542QQihZ010QQcategoryZ25463QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Emma

One of my blooms from this morning

Here is photo as they are starting to turn Mauve

Oh my gosh, they are beautiful! Thank you so much for assuring me I made a good choice! Now I can't wait to get it. And I wasn't aware its also known as Blue Dawn. Very interesting. . .

Randi,
You are very welcome!

Nancy,
YES, the Blue Dawn Ipomoea indica is Perennial in zones 8 and above.
EVEN THOUGH, the PlantFiles show it to be hardy in 9a and above.
My vines do die back each year after our first freeze and bounces back ready to go again each spring. In some areas that are sheltered, some of my vines stay green through our mild winters.

Ipomoea indica
is aka: Ocean Blue
AND
aka:
Island Morning Glory
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51653/

Your blooms are VERY nice.

Does your vines produce seeds?

Emma

Here is a photo of what my vines do when the weather starts to cool down.
The blooms remain open until the next day and turn to a Bright Fuchsia Color.
This photo shows 2 days of blooms.

Hi Randi. I bought a Blue Dawn bare root off of Ebay last August. The advice I was given was to keep it wet for the first few weeks. I did and it rooted nicely even in our 110 degree heat. Its now a monster. Don't worry too much about the afternoon wilt. Like Sunny said, it will bounce back.

Emma I've never noticed seeds. I guess I'll have to take a closer look today.

Emma, I like your vine showing 2 colors. Adds interest

Jackie

Hi Nancy,
Not many Ipomoea indica vines do produce seeds - mine does not. However, I did get a different species that is supposed to produce seeds, so we shall see.

Thanks Jackie, these really are neat vines.

Emma