A recent thread has sparked my interest in this plant. I've been reading up on it and see that it is a very tender perennial vine that is easily propagated. I'm wondering if it could be grown as an annual vine in the north? Does it bloom reliabley the first year from seed? This would be a great choice on a fence in my yard-I'm always looking for more choices to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Thaks!
Deb
Questions about Mexican Flame Vine
Good question, Deb. I am thinking it is a rampant growing vine in the south, but I don't think it will do well in the north. (Though I could be wrong!) I have one on my fence and it has clearly taken over - about 12' wide and is huge. I did notice that it only seems to bloom in the Fall and Winter here. Didn't bloom at all during the summer last year.
Here is a Florida plant web link for more info:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/S/sene_con.cfm
I also saw a thread that mentioned this vine. I really liked what I saw so have been doing a lot of looking around on the internet. To keep it from getting away from you, it says to prune it back severely in late fall after it has quit blooming. Also, keep it lightly pruned (as needed) during the growing season to control it's size. It will tip root so I don't see why you couldn't grow it as an annual up north and let a few tips root during the summer, dig them up late in the summer, pot them up and keep them in the house for the winter. It might be worth a try anyway. It does say it can get "very aggressive" down here in my neck of the woods (Vicksburg, MS, zone 8) but I love the looks of it and plan to try growing it on a section of split rail fence by my patio. I will just have to be very diligent about the pruning. It's a gorgeous vine and it attracts butterflies (which is why it will be located by my patio next to my butterfly garden).
I highly recommend seeking out cuttings in the fall (or as early in the year as you can get them!) to root then plant out in the spring as opposed to seeds (you will get flowers starting so early and a nice sized vine at that, you'll also have something to dig up in the fall). I've seen seed offered on trade lists before, but honestly, they produce a seed head for sure but actual seeds are very rare. I have never seen a seed on mine, just seed heads with underdeveloped seeds.
BTW, mine has been growing and flowering all winter....no frost damage whatsoever.
Spring time in everyone's zones is of course different. Here is a photo I took just a few minutes ago of my vine. I have trimmed it back a number of times over the past 6 months. It is finally blooming! It did not bloom at all during the summer months. I wonder if it is a cool weather bloomer or if it only blooms in the Fall/Winter months here. Though when I bought the starter plant in Spring a few years ago, it was blooming and bloomed for about 6 months. Go figure!
Here is a close-up of the top of the vine and all the current blooms! It really is pretty, but is a very aggressive vine here. And the butterflies (and I have heard hummers, too!) really use it as a nectar plant.
Here is a close-up of the flowers.
As azreno stated, they do produce runners that root. I have never seen seeds on any of the spent flower buds either. Here is a photo of a runner that will probably root at the ground in another month or so. I think they can also be rooted in water. Anyone know for sure?
Added: If you want a cutting or a rooted cutting, d-mail me. You pay for postage and I'll send you a piece of mine when your Spring arrives. They do like warmer weather.
This message was edited Feb 3, 2008 11:36 AM
They will root easily in water or a pot.
Mine has been far more tolerant of the cold than the heat, it pretty much shut down last summer. it's in a hot spot though, when things get grown in it will be cooler and I hope to have it active amd blooming all year.
I asked a seller on ebay about this plant (he had plants of an unspecified size for $2.99+5.00 shipping) and he said "definitely yes", it would do well as an annual and to just take cuttings in the fall for the next year.
Beckygardener, I may just take you up on your offer-probably not until late April or May. I just love trying new plants!
Thak you all!
Deb
They are an annual for me here in north Texas so I take cuttings right before our first freeze comes, root them inside in water and I'm ready for the next season.
Mine are usually late bloomers also. This last year I bought a plant that had been overwintered and had a bigger root system and it bloomed a little earlier, so that made me wonder about the temperature. Becky's has got a good root system tho...?? I would love mine to get that big! I would never consider it aggressive here.
I've never had one come up from any seed either. I'm not sure I've ever seen the seed tho! I see what looks like it would be seeds, but no sign of what resembles a seed to me. I've always thought maybe it was because they bloomed late then went thru a cold or wet spell and that made mush out of the flower heads so they didn't produce good seed. This year that didn't happen and still nothing different as far as seeds or pods. They could just be very hard to germinate.
So basically, YES take cuttings and start yourself a new plant each year. It's worth it!
Wow, Konkreteblonde-is that a photo of your plant? Thanks for the information-another new plant for my wishlist!
Deb
konkreteblonde,
Looks like you have black eyed Susan vine mixed with your flame vine--how pretty!
Paige - I love the combo of Black-eyed Susan vine and the Mexican Flame vine together. Very attractive! Good idea about taking cuttings before a frost!
I planted my vine about 2 years ago. It has not died back at all so I am sure it has a very large root system by now. It grows just as aggressive as my Passiflora vines. Everywhere and on both sides of the fence. Looks stunning right now with all the blooms! I wished it bloomed year round here. It sure adds a nice color to the Fall/Winter months when all the annuals and some of the perennials have died back.
I did your toss and sow method with seeds recently. I have tons of baby plants sprouting now. I have no idea what I planted where. LOL! Don't ya just love surprises!
Deb - You are welcome to some cuttings from my vine. Since you are the one who started this thread, it only seems right that you get one! LOL! I am going to cut a bunch and stick them in water to root them. Several folks have dmailed me to request a cutting or two. :-)
Thanks, Beckyg! You'll have to keep us posted on how the rooting process goes.
Deb
Yep, that was my vine last fall. I've been putting the Black-Eyed Susan vines with it for 2 years now and really like it! It would be great if it would grow here like the passionvine because it's a better nectar source.
Becky, you'll love doing things the natural way! lol I've got poppies, fennel, larkspur, dill, cornflowers, and a bunch more stuff coming up too. This year I am going to have to be diligent tho and pull up some stuff, especially milkweed. Every year I refuse to do it but regret it later when it's overcrowded. Remind me of this when I'm refusing to pull stuff up in a few months. LOL
Hope all is well with you, and that your mom is doing better!
Paige