Features of planting morning glory in open ground and caring for it
Landscape designers often use climbing flowering plants for garden decoration. Morning glory, planting and care in the open field, which does not require much effort, will thank you with a cool shade and decorative effect.
The beauty of the morning glory is very poisonous, so you need to take care of a protective fence if small children and pets are walking on the territory.
Ipomoea belongs to the bindweed family and is its colorful representative, because the varieties of this species are full of a kaleidoscope of colors. The plant grows rapidly and begins to bloom early. In just 2-3 months from the moment of sowing the seeds, the morning glory vine forms a dense flowering carpet. It is the growth rate that makes the plant a popular decoration. gazebos, facades of houses, fences and unsightly areas of the garden.
How to grow morning glory
Sowing seeds
Seed material can be purchased at flower shops or collected by yourself, the main thing is that the seeds are of good quality. Sowing in open ground is carried out in the first half of spring, when the weather is warm. You should not use seed that has lay for more than three years - seedlings will be partial.
Ipomoea is grown as an annual plant, because it is not able to winter in the ground. At the slightest frost, the plant dies.
Planting morning glory seeds in open ground is suitable for the Moscow region, where plant care begins in early spring.
Morning glory grows best in black soil and loam. It grows quickly and pleases with abundant flowering. In the prepared area, shallow planting holes are formed, into which one or two seeds are laid. They are sprinkled with soil and watered with warm water.
When the seedlings grow up a little, you need to take care of a solid support on which the vine vine will trail.
Growing seedlings
To obtain strong and healthy seedlings by the end of spring, sowing seeds in planting containers is carried out at the end of February or in March. The soil for seedlings must be prepared in advance by mixing leaf humus, peat, vermiculite, coconut fiber and expanded clay in the ratio (2: 1: 1: 1: 0.5).
Planting Ipomoea seedlings in open ground is practiced in the harsh climate of Siberia, because there are long winters and care for garden plants begins in late spring.
Sowing technology:
- Seed material must be placed in warm water for a day to swell. If no swelling occurs, then each seed should be pricked with a sterile needle and placed back in water.
- The swollen seeds are planted in small planting containers, several pieces each, watered and covered with polyethylene. Seedlings are ventilated daily and watered if necessary.
- The first sprouts will appear in a week and a half if the temperature is at least 18 degrees.
- When young plants grow up to 16 cm, a thick thread or rope is tied to their base, the free end of which is fixed on top - this will serve as a support for the growing bindweed.
As young bindweeds grow, they need to be transplanted into larger containers several times.But the root ball should not be disturbed, because morning glories are bad for transplants.
Planting morning glory in the ground
The best place for planting a plant is in well-lit places, but flowers close quickly in direct sunlight, so gardeners recommend choosing a place with diffused light. In the shade, the plant grows slowly and forms small buds.
It is important to transplant seedlings correctly so that morning glory develops well:
- It is necessary to transplant seedlings by the transshipment method, keeping the earthen lump as much as possible.
- The spacing between plants should be at least 25 cm.
- Next to each bush, supports are installed or ropes are pulled on which the planted plants are wound.
- Water each plant abundantly.
If morning glories are planted near buildings, then care should be taken that they do not fall on precipitation flowing from the roof. Water streams can injure plants.
Competent plant care
In order for the morning glory planted in open ground to feel comfortable, a number of rules should be observed when leaving.
- carry out regular watering, but do not allow stagnation of moisture in the soil;
- fertilize plants complex dressings;
- to prevent diseases and pests;
- collect seeds in a timely manner, which ripen three weeks after the flowers wilt.
For the usual methods of care, the plant will thank you with lush greenery and abundant variegated flowering.
Competent planting of morning glory in open ground and caring for it will help save the strength of the gardener. This unpretentious, fast-growing vine is capable of transforming any garden in a short time.