Well, I'll admit it. I really don't like Cedars. Especially when they are not trimmed or cared for properly. When I lived in Ottawa a few years back, we had such a hedge that ran along the walkway to our parking lot. It was never really cared for, and as a tenant, it was not my responsibility, but it drove me NUTS! So, one year, I had the bright idea to plant Morning Glories, and see what would happen. See the picture! I had people stop and tell me how much they loved the sight, and how they looked forward to seeing if new flowers were open on their way to work in the morning. Other people would just stop and gawk (either at these or at the 13+ feet sunflowers I had in front of the hedge.)
This pile gave me seeds by the thousands! I would give out handfuls to whomever would ask! Just bring a paper bag I'd say.
So what is so special about Morning Glories? Well for one thing, they cover up ugly stuff! For another, the flowers last only a day or so, with new ones blooming pretty much right under your nose. There is also the neat fact that they are one of the few flowers that have the much coveted BLUE color.
The flowers range in size, from tiny to fairly large. Colors are as varied as the rainbow. Some are pink with a white center, others are white with splotches or streaks in them, blues, dark purple, white rimmed, funky shaped (look for the Japanese ones - oh drool to have some of those!)
The seeds can sometimes be costly, but only if you buy them in home reno stores or the like. You can get seeds at the dollar store, our home hardware here is selling them for 25 cents a packet this year!
Depending on the color/species/type you get, the number of seeds in a packet will vary. Be aware that some colors/species will in-breed, and thus may muddle your color scheme. Try to stick to at least the same species.
They are Annuals, you have to plant them every year (or do you?) I've heard that years after I left the old place, the seeds I'd not plucked off were growing the next year. Note, this is an exception rather than the rule! However, don't be discouraged, they give off so many seeds, depending again on the species/color, you may never have to buy seeds again!
You can tell the type of species by the look of the seed too! If the seed is like a little clementine slice shape, those are usually the small-medium red/pink/mauve ones. If your seed is shaped like an elongated pear, those are the more exotic ones, like the blues, the flying saucer, and maybe the Japanese (I'd give a lot to try some of those. If anyone has seeds to share, please email me!)
I will instruct you below how to plant, care and reap the seeds, and I will also try and keep a photo journal of the steps, so that maybe just maybe you'll want to do this along with me. I'd love to see what you come up with!
So, the first step (after buying/obtaining seeds) is to soak them. In room temperature water please. And for best results, overnight to a maximum of 2 days (any longer and you'll get high just smelling the water - trust me. Been there done that!)
Some people say you have to scarify the seeds. Scarifying is a technique consisting of scratching the seed with a sharp/cutting object such as a nail or a knife. I'll be honest with you, I've _never_ done that and ALWAYS had excellent results. I also let my seeds soak for a good 36 hours, then they'll kinda look crackled and ready to go.
You sow them, about 1 - 1.5 inch deep, cover, water copiously, and way. It does not take very long, and soon the tender green shoots will come up for air and sunshine!
While you are waiting for the magic to happen, work on building a climbing structure.
Use string, yarn, twine, a trellis, anything they can climb up. I've used giant Russian sunflowers as climbing posts (you plant the sunflowers about 2 weeks before the Morning Glories, give them a head start. I've strung twine in the cedars here and there, and as the vines grow, you very very GENTLY coax and guide them around the string. It does not need to be "tight", so long as the plant "gets the idea". Be aware these babies can grow to about 12 feet high/long, if not more. So have plenty of guides ready. You can also use a tee-pee structure, that will eventually be covered with the vines and flowers (very neat!) I don't recommend using netting. I've found birds stuck in the darn stuff, (fortunately, they were fine when I released them) and the thread is very fine and so easily damages the shoots and vines.
Oh, and try and use a string color that blends with your background. I've used cotton string (the type used to make dishcloths and stuff). Its strong, and when the growing season is over, you can compost it as it will break down rather easily.
Ok, so the vines are growing and you're guiding them along. What next? Water them. It is a rule of thumb. Water deeply, infrequently. Use common sense. If you have 7 days of 40 degree Celsius weather, water them. If you see them droop, or if the leaves are floppy to the touch, give them a good drink.
Another rule of thumb. Use rainwater as much as possible. Not only will you save on your water bill, but rainwater has no chemicals in it (well, none added by the city). Well water works well too. If you don't have rainwater, please consider putting up rain barrels. Believe me, they will pay themselves off within a year!
So the blooms are starting to form, and you're just waiting to see what color you'll get. The best time to view the new blooms is early in the morning. They will start closing up around 4-6pm. (well they did for me). New blooms will form the next day.
Once the bloom has fallen off, you'll notice a little ball like structure where the bloom was. These you can remove to promote even more blooms, but not after the end of July if you want seeds for the coming year. The seeds will form in little pods, in clusters, almost like grapes.
Each little bright light green ball will contain 2 (exotics) to 8-10 (common) seeds. Leave them alone. DO NOT remove them until they are brown and papery (like onion skins). I've tried harvesting the seeds before they'd ripened on the plant, and only 25% or so grew the next year.
At first, when the seeds start to ripen and dry, only a few will be visible. BE PATIENT. Don't despair. Soon, you'll have more than you'll know what to do with.
When the seeds are nice and dry (brown and papery), and its been sunny for a couple of days (NO picking wet or humid seeds. BAD BAD BAD!) take a paper bag, and collect away! I usually pluck the whole pods/twigs/etc and dump them in the bag. Depending how many you originally sowed and which variety, you may have thousands when you are done.
Now, go somewhere quiet, preferably outside, with a nice cold glass of (insert drink here), and a large rimmed plate. Dump the seeds, a few pods at a time, and with your fingers, fritter away the skins. Rub the pods between your fingers, letting the seeds fall on the plate, the skins and leftovers can fly away in the wind. If you have skins in with the seeds, simply blow GENTLY on them, and they will fluff off.
So, now you're all done separating seeds from pods, and other junk. What next? Take the seeds and spread them either on a cookie sheet, or in between a couple of layers of newspaper or paper towels and let them dry completely. They may have felt dry, but call me paranoid, I still dry them further, just in case. You can do this in a cool dark basement, or outside (where the wind and birds might reduce your collection to zero.)
Once really really dry, store in a paper bag only, and if you have them, put some of those little packets of stuff you sometimes get with new shoes. (I think its silicon). Write on the bag the year, the type/color/variety of seeds and flowers, what the actual plant is (I've forgotten to do this many times, so I had a surprise bag of seeds), and also how these grew for you, and where. This will help you decide the next year where to plant them. Put only 3 cups max of seeds per bag. Use only paper bags, or if you're stuck, a cardboard box. The idea is, the seeds need a dry, "breathable" environment. A plastic bag will only cause the seeds to condense their humidity and therefore, eventually rot and mold.
Put the bag(s) in a dark cool spot. Tell 45 people where you're putting said bag, in case you forget. And leave it til spring. IF you think about it, every once in a while, give the bags a shake.
And if you have tons, share. and share some more.
Now, I know what you're thinking. If these darn things grow to 12 feet high, how to I get the seeds at the top (and there will be tons believe me). The simple answer is, you don't. There was an old diddy about farmers and planting. 1 for the bird, 1 for the farmer etc.
Leave the seeds that you can't reach where they are. Either they will fall on their own (and might grow next season) OR you'll do the nature around you a huge favor by providing seeds for the birds and other critters to pull them through the winter. (this pretty much goes for all flowers that have seed heads).
I strongly suggest you pick only the seeds you feel you need. Let the rest go to nature. The birds will reward you with beautiful songs, they will eat pests out of your garden, and provide endless entertainment for your cats/dog/yourself.
When spring comes around again, wait until the last frost has passed, and start anew.
These guys are almost foolproof. ANYone can grow these. And I would hate to see anyone buying them already started at their local greenhouses. Its so much more rewarding doing it yourself, and its really very little work (especially if you don't care about the seeds!) Then you can use the money saved to buy something else really nice... :)
A word of caution.
There are "domestic" Morning Glories and wild ones. The wild ones are also known as strangling vines. That's _exactly_ what they do. They run rampant, and THEY definitely come back by self sowing. The flowers are pretty, white and fairly small. But they are undesirable in the sense that they are nasty nasty invaders. And once they set in your garden my friend, good luck getting rid of them! Weed and weed some more.
Don't let this frighten you away from the domestic ones however. These are well behaved, and won't kill your other plants when you're not looking! Planted in mass, they make stunning displays! And you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.
I think that pretty much covers it. I've had seeds keep for 5 years and still germinate and grow. Its of course better to use fresh seeds whenever possible.
A last tip. If you see a glory that has a funky color, tag it with something, a piece of tape, tie a piece of colorful yarn around its vine to remind you that this is a special one. When you harvest the seeds, make sure you put its seeds in a separate special bag, and voila, total funkiness in the next growing season.
Keep your eyes peeled for the pics as I document my growing attempts this year.
Good luck! Cynthia
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