Growing Tips for Morning Glory Vine

Grandpa Ott morning glory

Add some vertical interest to your garden by growing a morning glory vine.   

Morning Glory is an annual vine with heart-shaped leaves that are easy to train to grow up a trellis or they will cover a chain link fence with green leaves and a flower that is similar to a petunia.

There are a variety of flower colors; white purple, blue, pink, or red, and all trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in the early morning from early summer to frost. 

You can start this vine from seed and then plant it outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed or you can grow it from a nursery-grown plant.  

I am new to growing the morning glory vine.  I was given “Grandpa Ott” heirloom seeds a few years ago and started them indoors and then transplanted them outdoors.  I used them to hide a six-foot chain link fence.  

You do not need to be an expert gardener to grow the morning glory vine.  It is very easy to grow.  Plant next to a trellis or next to your fence and wrap the vine around the link of the fence and it will quickly attach itself.

Planting tips:

You can start seeds indoors or you can sow the seeds directly into an outdoor garden.  Before you plant the seed it is best to soak them in a shallow pan of tepid water overnight.  The water soaking will help in germination.  

If you intend on sowing the seeds outdoors then plant them in full sun in an area with well-drained soil the back garden border is good as they make a nice background vine if they grow up a trellis or fence.  Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep.

Another way to grow morning glory is to plant in a container that has a supportive trellis.  Then set it close to your outdoor living place so you can admire this pretty flower. 

For a container, I like to plant with miracle grow.  When planting directly in the soil I will get the garden site ready by removing the grass and then work the topsoil with my shovel by turning over the soil.  I then will break up the clumps so that the soil is loose.  Work compost or manure into the soil as this nutritious soil will be good for the overall health of the plant. 

When planting at the base of a trellis or fence dig a trench that is the same depth as the nursery-grown container and plant the vines eight inches apart. 

Caring for Morning Glory

Mix a weak strength of water-soluble fertilizer for flowers and water the newly planted morning glories well.  

Water daily to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.

Apply organic mulch around the morning glory vines; pine needles, leaf much, or tree bark.

Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer that is formulated for flowers twice a month throughout the growing season.

Morning Glory plants like it hot and humid.  

Signs of Iron Deficiency in Plants

Today while out in the garden I noticed that many of my plant's leaves were yellow.  When I looked closer I saw that the yellow leaves had dark green veins.  I suspect that my plants have an iron deficiency, also called chlorosis.  I suspected that the fertilizer that I used in early spring had washed away due to the heavy rains we had in May.

I picked up some miracle grow liquefied that was ready to use at the garden store and attached it to my garden hose and sprayed the flower garden beds.  The liquid fertilizer contained iron and zinc and if my diagnosis of the plants is correct then the leaves should turn green after the fertilizer treatment. 

For best results fertilize your plant, flowers, and vegetables every two weeks with the liquid feed.

Note: When leaves turn yellow and have dark veins is also an indication that the plant is suffering from stress and or a virus.  

Photo Attribution: http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/Adams/gh/cbmv.html

Transplanting Perennials During Growing Season

When it comes to planting and transplanting perennials I prefer to plant in the fall or spring months. The weather is more suitable in the spring, cooler days and the rainy season provides the hydration that newly planted perennials need to develop a strong root and to grow into healthy plants.  That is not to say that you cannot transplant or plant in the summer.  It can be done but the summer plants need tender loving care.  

Today I received word that all of my foundation plants needed to be moved; Hosta garden with fern and toad lilies.  My black-eyed Susan and my rose garden also need to be moved 10 feet away from my home's foundation. In the front I have my Liriope border grass also needs to be transplanted, presently it is growing next to the sidewalk and is in the line of fire from construction workers. 

My yard and garden have been set for the last several years and now I need to transplant 30 hosta, 12 ferns, 24 liriope, 12 toad lilies, 6 roses and a 10 x21 square feet wildflower garden and all plantings must be completed by the end of June or they will be trampled by excavating equipment and foot traffic.

The first thing that I did was look over my preexisting garden to see if there was any room for perennial transplants.  There was enough room in the back garden to transplant the wildflowers.   

The hostas would be moved into a garden that will encircle an oak tree. Rose bushes will be planted in clay pots and the border grass will be given to my neighbor so they can plant along their walkway.

Planting:

When it comes to planting in the summer I prefer to transplant in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day.  This will reduce transplant shock. 
  

I also think it is a good idea to plan to transplant on a day when rain is in the forecast.  Tonight there is a 40% chance of rain so I am transplanting perennials.

TLC

A perennial that is planted during the summer months requires tender loving care.   I recommend planting in well-drained soil that has been amended with compost.  Break up the clumps of soil so that the soil is loose and mix with all-purpose of continuous-release plant food.  

 After perennials have been planted apply 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch.  This mulch will aid in keeping the roots cool and retain moisture. 

Set up a soaking hose to keep the soil evenly moist.  A faucet timer is helpful as transplants in summer need a lot of hydration.  I water for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the late afternoon. (soaking hose is s a  slow drip and will keep the roots of your plants hydrated

Check the soil around the perennials daily to make sure it is evenly moist.  


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