Morning Glory vines, known for their rapid growth and vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms, offer a rewarding experience for gardeners. Propagating them is a cost-effective way to expand your garden or share plants.
Propagating Morning Glory From Seed
Propagating Morning Glory from seed is a reliable and popular method for cultivating many robust plants. Success depends on careful preparation and consistent care during early growth.
Collecting and Preparing Seeds
Morning Glory seeds develop within papery pods that form after the flowers fade. Collect these pods once they turn brown and dry, indicating the seeds inside are mature. Gently open the pods to extract the seeds.
Morning Glory seeds have a hard outer coating that inhibits water absorption. To aid germination, scarify seeds by gently rubbing them with a nail file or fine-grit sandpaper. Then, soak them in warm water for 12 to 24 hours to soften the seed coat. This preparation promotes uniform and rapid sprouting.
Sowing Seeds
Morning Glory seeds can be sown indoors or directly outdoors, depending on your local climate. For an earlier bloom, sow seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost date. Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting mix, ensuring adequate drainage. If sowing outdoors, wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed, typically reaching at least 65°F (18°C).
Space outdoor-sown seeds about 6 inches apart, planting them at the same shallow depth. After sowing, gently water the soil to settle it around the seeds, maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging. Germination usually occurs within 5 to 14 days under optimal conditions.
Caring for Seedlings
Once Morning Glory seedlings emerge, provide bright, indirect light for indoor seedlings to prevent legginess. A south-facing window or supplemental grow lights can be beneficial. Maintain consistent soil moisture, allowing the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
As seedlings develop their first true leaves, thin them to ensure adequate spacing and air circulation. For indoor seedlings, transplant them into individual pots once a few inches tall. If direct-sown outdoors, thin plants to their final spacing of 6 to 12 inches apart.
Propagating Morning Glory From Cuttings
Propagating Morning Glory from cuttings offers an alternative to seed propagation, useful for preserving specific plant characteristics. Select healthy, non-flowering stems 4 to 6 inches long with at least two to three leaf nodes. Using a clean, sharp tool, make a cut just below a leaf node.
Remove any leaves from the bottom two inches of the cutting to expose the nodes, as roots will emerge from these points. Root cuttings in water by submerging the bottom nodes. Alternatively, insert them directly into a moist, well-draining potting mix. Keep the rooting medium consistently moist in a warm location with indirect light. Roots typically form within two to four weeks.
Caring for New Morning Glory Plants
Once Morning Glory seedlings or rooted cuttings have established a robust root system, they are ready for transplanting. Choose a full sun location (at least six to eight hours daily) with well-draining, moderately fertile soil, as ample sunlight promotes vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Handle young plants carefully to avoid disturbing delicate roots. Provide a suitable support structure, such as a trellis, fence, or arbor, for the climbing vines. Water newly transplanted Morning Glory regularly to help them establish, especially during dry periods, and continue consistent moisture as they grow.