From seedling to mature plant the journey of Ipomoea violacea(morning glory) is constant search upward. It will twist and turn many times till it finds a route to accomplish its goal. Called circumnutation, the plant waves its growing stalk in seemingly endless spirals till it finds a pathway upward. For those of us that plant it as an annual, we can marvel at its upward trek in search of the bright light in the sky. In more southern climates it is a different story. Unimpeded by the exploits of our local band of marauding chipmunks the vines should reach their goal mid to late July. Then, it's a matter of flowers. Circumnutation? Hmmm...There is a story in there somewhere....perhaps with ion pumps.... Jerry
It's an annual in my garden too, just that it re-seeds itself with abandon and returns for many years at the original planting site and in places I don't expect thanks to the wind I guess. I guess the main difference between here and there is that they don't wait to reach full height to bloom. I have had many of them bloom on 6 inch tall plants.
I have decided, this is my last year growing morning glory. Its the third year I am growing them and I do feel that here (at least in my garden) - it takes too long to flower. In the short summer months of PNW - I get really only 4/5 flowers for all the effort and space it takes.
I have to settle for scarlet runner beans or one of the other colored blooming runners. The flowers aren't nearly as showy, but we do get to eat the by-product.
Mine are shooting for the sky now too - but no blooms or buds in sight. Morning glory ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) Morning Glory ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden )
