"Early flowering"

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Elsa123 Pretoria, South Africa Sep 04, 2007

I've started some MG seeds on the 3rd of last month ("Sunrise Serenade", "Akatsuki no umi" and "Henka Blue" are only a few of them). They are already forming flower buds even though they have between three and five true leaves. Can the sudden high temperatures be the reason. Our maximums used to be round about 68F, and all of a sudden it is in the very high 80s this week.
I don't mind them flowering, but surely they will do better if the plants had time to put down a proper root system?
My Brazilian MG's flowers opened during the night, so I eventually decided I can use the space better. Can the different time zones have an influence on the plants? I know it sounds crazy, but can't think of another explanation.

Thanks in advance,
Elsa

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Hillbilly_Gran Jasper, AR(Zone 7a) Sep 04, 2007

Stress of any type (ie: heat, drought) often induces a plant to bloom and set seed in a shorter period of time. This is the mechanism that allows survival of the fittest. Meaning those plants able to do so (set seed) before sucumbing to the stress whatever the cause, will survive in the seed bank/genepool should the parent sucumb. But I have minimal morning glory experience, so don' know whether or not they will slow down if conditions become more favorable.
Tommie

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ByndeweedBeth scio, oregon, OR(Zone 8a) Sep 04, 2007

The later you plant them in the summer, the faster they will produce buds. This is because MGs are short day bloomers....they respond to the shortened daylight hours by rushing to bloom and produce seeds.

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RON_CONVOLVULACEAE Netcong, NJ(Zone 5b) Sep 04, 2007

Elsa - You are in the Southern Hemisphere >yes(?)...Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are approaching Autumn...what season are you in and going into(?)...

TTY,...

Ron

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Elsa123 Pretoria, South Africa Sep 05, 2007

Ron, we are just at the start of Spring. We don't usually have such high temperatures so early in the season. It was really cold (according to our winter temps - nothing like the ones most of US experience in winter) and then all of a sudden within days, high temp. No easing into it! LOL! Not complaining though, it is lovely to see everything take off.

Post #3938560
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RON_CONVOLVULACEAE Netcong, NJ(Zone 5b) Sep 05, 2007

Elsa - The day lengths are still relatively short for you and combined with the temperatures you are having that is apparently triggering your MG's to flower even though they are still very young plants...the same happens here sometimes to very young plants in our Springtime when the nights are still long and days are short...

TTY,...

Ron

Post #3938631
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Elsa123 Pretoria, South Africa Sep 05, 2007

Thanks, Ron.

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