How do I make my moonflower plants climb a trellis

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mist001 Lincoln, RI Jul 21, 2007

I was able to plant moonflower in my Northern garden (zone 6) I would like it to climb up a pergola that is next to the plant. It has 3 stems growing off it and seems to be growing toward the sun, away from the post. It is quite large now, with many flowers on it. Should I cut back the 2 stems that are growing away from the post? It seems to resist growing up the post. Will it kill the plant to cut it now? I am a beginner gardener, and I feel amazed to see it do so well, as everything I read said that it is difficult to grow from a transplant in my zone. Thanks for any advice mist001

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jul 21, 2007

Hi mist001, this forum is for questions about using the Plant Files database, you will get more responses to your question if you post in the beginner gardening forum: http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/b_gardentalk/all/

Most vines can't climb a fat pole like the post of your pergola without help, they can only twine around skinny things on their own. If you want it to climb the pergola, you'll have to attach it to the pole to help it, it won't do it on its own. No need to cut the plant down, just move the branches to where you want them. If you post on the beginner gardening forum, I'm sure people will have lots of suggestions for how they've attached vines to poles like this.

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moonflower52 Tracy, CA Oct 13, 2007

I've been growing these flowers for years. When I start a new plant I wait until the vines become strong enough to handle it and then tie string around them to guide them to the trellis or fence or whatever I want them to climb. Once they have formed several vines they will climb themselves. Be sure it is planted in a sunny location. Mine is unbelievable this year.
See?

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moonflower52 Tracy, CA Oct 13, 2007

sorry about the crummy photo. heres a better one. you can see my Pink Bowervine on the trellis to the left and my going wild Cardinal Climber to the left of that...the hummingbirds love this one!

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