The morning glory is one of the short-lived morning glories and is an uncomplicated way to quickly “overgrow” unsightly garden corners with something blooming. Care is relatively simple, but the number of flowers and growth can be better controlled by paying attention to certain factors.
How do I properly care for the morning glory?
When caring for morning glories, plant in loose, well-drained soil, water almost daily in mid-summer, and use a layer of mulch. Fertilize carefully with fertilizer containing potassium. Pruning is possible and pests can be controlled biologically. Overwintering outdoors is not possible.
How often does the morning glory need to be watered?
So that the morning glory does not suffer from waterlogging, it should be planted in a location with loose, permeable soil. Since a lot of water evaporates from the leaf mass of the sun-drenched plants, they have to be watered almost daily in midsummer. However, a layer of mulch can help protect the soil area around the plant base from drying out.
What should you consider when transplanting morning glories?
In midsummer, the morning glory can resent being transplanted (for example from a pot into the outdoor bed). In addition, the young plants grown indoors from seeds should only be planted out after the ice saints, as the morning glory generally cannot tolerate frosty temperatures.
Can the morning glory tolerate pruning?
If the morning glory grows too much, it can be cut back at any time. However, the non-woody shoots of these morning glories can often simply be “redirected” in a more suitable direction.
What diseases and pests can occur with the morning glory?
Occasionally an infestation of red spiders or whiteflies can be found on the morning glory. For this purpose, various chemical and biological control agents (€9.00 on Amazon) (in the form of beneficial insects) are available from specialist retailers.
How is the morning glory optimally fertilized?
Stunty growth and lack of flowers can indicate an unsuitable location, but can also be the result of incorrect fertilization. The following types of fertilizer are suitable for this:
- seasoned compost as a long-term nutrient depot
- Liquid fertilizer
- Complete fertilizer
The carefully dosed fertilizer should contain as much potassium as possible in order to promote a large number of flowers on the morning glory. Fertilizer doses that are too high are usually reflected in strong leaf growth and sparse flower growth.
Can morning glory be overwintered?
The morning glory is a short-lived and frost-sensitive plant that cannot be overwintered, at least outdoors in our latitudes. Overwintering indoors is theoretically possible after pruning, but it is hardly worth the effort due to the ease of breeding from seeds.
Tip
You should exercise caution if children or voracious pets also have access to your garden. The plant parts of the morning glory and especially its seed capsules contain hallucinogenic substances such as lysergic acid amides, which can have a highly toxic effect on humans and animals.
