Morning Glories 2007 #32

Beth, do you find that you get more flowers/or seeds by pinching to the tips? I'm always afraid to pinch, but a couple that I accidently broke off seemed to produce lots more flowers and longer. Did you have anything like that happen?

Becky, I just wrap around several times, but don't know if I like that too much. It may just buy enough time to snip the ends until it is time to take outside, I haven't decided which way to do it this time around.

Thanks.. A.

I only pinch the tops to keep the vines from growing out farther than their supports. I have heard people say that pinching makes more flowers, but I get plenty of flowers if I pinch or not!

Beth - does that lamp really run up your electric bill? Right now I am using Fluorescent grow lights because I am afraid of the electricity being run up too much YIKES!

No, the lamps don't change the electric bill much. Using an electric heater in the greenhouse REALLY ran the bill up! That's why I move to growing the MGs in the spare bedroom.

I hear that! I had two running last year (It was a big greenhouse) and our electric bill ran all the way up to $260!! So this year my hubby thought it would be cheaper to open up our super huge attic, put down flooring and insulating and just give me the whole upstairs! How much are those lights? Would it be cheaper to buy locally or off ebay?

I LOVE the MH light and I think I paid around $200 on ebay? The bulbs seem to last forever, too.

Thats not bad considering the price of grow lights, I will definitely look into it though - ty for the advice!

Beth,

I`d be smiling too if I had a light like that. I really think it is neat the way you can grow morning glories inside like that. Here is the Gypsy Bride you sent me coming alive growing out back. I almost hated putting a watermark on it but it is needed to protect the flower. If you ever see a picture of mine you like I would be happy to send you a original.

Karen

This message was edited Oct 30, 2007 9:13 PM

Karen, that MG is soooo pretty! What a great pix.

Joanne Ü

Beth and A - Thanks for the info about what to do with long vines being grown indoors on Bamboo stakes. What species do you think would be most successful to try growing indoors? I. nil, I. purpurea, or something else?

I was wondering about this MG. The seeds were labeled "Sunsmile - blue/lavender". I really like this plant! Are these mounding MGs instead of vining? If so, how big do they get? Is it a I. nil?

And this beauty along with some others are showing up around the front and back of my fence. (Mostly back of my fence!) I wonder if someone else is growing MGs in my area. The birds line up along the power lines right over this area! I didn't plant these. Don't know what they are other than the fact that they are MGs. I thought my white hyacinth bean vine had died from all the rain, but the vines are showing up behind the fence. Oops!

Here is the mass of volunteers coming up behind my fence. Anyone recognize what they are? I just know they are pretty! :-)

Another volunteer. Maybe it's a seed from my Star of Yelta vine? Though that vine was quite a distance from this one. Hmmm .... I love surprises in my garden! :-)

This message was edited Oct 31, 2007 10:06 AM

Good job with the GB, Karen!
Becky...if you have the house warm enough the nils are the best size to try to grow indoors...but remember they like it warm!

Becky . . .

This Sunsmile series
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4142894
is a 'Trailing' 'Creeping' Morning Glory.
It does not climb, but I have had them try to before and took them off the fence.
They are a ground Morning Glory that does just as the description 'Creeps'.
Usually 3' to 5'.
This is Ipomoea nil.

One of my crosses this year was Fuji Momo and Kawaii Pink [Also a Creeper]. It will be interesting if the 'Cross' will creep or climb.

How fun that you are getting Ipomoea purpureas popping up.
This one looks to me like 'Pink Rambler'
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4142922

Hmmmm . . .
These are all Ipomoea purpureas.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4142930
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4142933

Maybe Karen - 'gardener2005',
> > > OUR NEW MORNING GLORY EXPERT < < <
can help you out with an ID of ALL of these and tell you why they are all of a sudden 'appearing'.

I will await her answer. . .

Emma

Thanks for the info about the Sunsmile vine. First time I've grown one like that! :-)

I had a feeling that the volunteers behind the fence were I. purpurea. They have the characteristics. I am still a newbie and don't feel confident IDing them myself yet. As far as cultivars .... I have no idea unless is looks very much like one I have already grown. Which is why I am enjoying trying so many different vines. Thanks to everyone here who so kindly and generously shared with me. :-) :-) :-) I hope to get my trades out to you very soon! Seed harvesting has gone well, despite all the rain. :-) Just waiting for them to look nice and dry before bagging and tagging them!

Jumping to another topic....
I tried messenger on some of my MGs this summer and couldn't tell the difference from the control plants. Has anybody had a positive, verifiable outcome with MGs? Does it just work better on other species?

I used Messenger on everything too. But no controls, so I haven't a clue. Except for the mishap when the wind blew down the trellis, my vines bloomed well. Maybe next year I'll skip the Messenger and see if it makes a difference.

I used messenger a couple of times and then just stopped, don't remember why, I think it was because of all the reversed tubes that were appearing.. they appeared anyway, so it wasnt' that. Are you going to try it again? How often did you spray it? I may have to try it again and be consistent with the regimen, it may not work otherwise. ALso, these mgs here seem to live forever, they are supposed to be annuals and some are still going, so maybe they are healthier and live longer, it is supposed to stop diseases and make the plant stronger.. did you have any type of rust, etc.. or weak plants?

I am paying attention to this info. Living in Florida, growing healthy MGs can be challenging at time!

New Thread
Morning Glories 2007 #33
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/786418/

Emma