CLIMBERS > genus Ipomoea > ALBA
IN THIS GUIDE
IPOMOEA GUIDES
Moonflower
There are two plant that go by the name Ipomoea alba , so let ’s verify you ’re read about the right one .
TheIpomoea albais a rampantly - growing vine and can grow to enormous heights .
Its flush open at dusk , bloom in the night , and then give way in the forenoon to be substitute again the next afternoon .
The other plant , Datura innoxia , grow to a smaller top and its flowers do n’t die each solar day .
In this article , we will be focus on the first : the moonflower vine .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun or Partial Shade
ExposureSheltered
HeightUp to 3 M
Spread0.5 – 1.5 M
Bloom TimeSummer
PreferredChalk , George Sand or loam
MoistureWell - drain
pHAny
One of the joys of horticulture is pick out efflorescence that work well together in terminal figure of colour , bloom time , and other element to create last variety and visual interest .
you could liven up up a medley of color by putting it against a background of white , for instance ; or foot a few flora that blossom in wintertime to extend your season interest .
you’re able to also look for plants that bloom at different times of day , with the moonflower vine , I.alba , being a o.k. exemplar of a flower whose bloom is most breathless in the evening and through the night .
This plant makes a expectant addition to gardens that playact emcee to evening gatherings , whether they be barbecues or balefire .
As a native to more tropical climate , the moonflower vine does spring up best in fond temperature , but British gardeners are able to get sound results by produce it as an annual .
“ Ipomoea albais a perennial in its native tropic Americas but a fond season one-year in the UK ( it die off because of winter moth-eaten not because of its lifetime cycle ) , ” says Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly .
“ I have it away trying to grow plants from warmer regions in the UK . In a long , red-hot summer you may get dandy results .
“ It can be challenging if the summertime is unsettled by colder and surface-active agent weather but that makes the joyousness when it comes off even more euphoric ! ”
Growing From Seed
develop moonflower vines from seed is possible , and in British condition , it ’s recommended you plant them between 6 - 8 calendar week forward of outside planting .
you’re able to found out of doors when temperatures are systematically over 15 ° C , so aim to sow in in previous March to other April to implant in late May or early June .
Scratch the outside of the semen with a tongue or emery paper , take care to not damage the inside .
dowse the seed for a couple of hour in warm water .
Once the seeded player swell , constitute it between 5 - 7 millimetre below the airfoil of moist but well - drained seeded player compost .
To propagate , these seeds need temperature between 20 - 25 ° C .
It can take anywhere from 5 - 45 Clarence Day for extension , although the humbled end of this range is most likely .
Move to a pot once the seedling are found and ensure it ’s full-grown enough to reconcile their increment .
If you ’re growing out of doors , expect until the last frost has give-up the ghost and recall what we said about temperature being systematically over 15 ° C .
instead you may produce in a conservatory or greenhouse .
This works is considered invasive in some more tropic neighborhood .
In the UK it can be borderline invasive , so make certain to keep an heart on how far your plant is spreading .
IpomoeaAlbaCare
Once your Ipomoea alba is found , it ’s a fairly undemanding industrial plant .
It ’s always good to know how to keep your plants in tip - top term though , so here are someIpomoeaalbacare road map to help you out .
Light
It ’ll be well-chosen growing in full sun or fond tone , but as a world-wide rule more sun increases the number of blooms you ’ll get from a mature moonflower .
Temperature & Humidity
Being native to warm part of North America , South America and the Caribbean , this plant life is build to thrive in higher temperatures.1Rojas - Sandoval , J. ( 2022 ) . Ipomoea alba ( livid moonflower ) .CABI Compendium , CABI Compendium.https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.119823
Growers in lovesome climates will be treat to a recurrent growth habit , whereas British gardeners are most probable to have an yearly belle de nuit .
An outside temperature above 15 ° C is most conducive to a healthy industrial plant .
Preferred Soil & Drainage
Go for moist , well - drained soil for salutary resolution .
Chalk , grit or loam soils should be suitable for a moonflower , with seed compost for sprouting .
Watering
Water on a regular basis when plants are young and keep your belle de nuit hydrated as it turn .
This plant can develop to impressive superlative and so require slew of water to satiate its hunger !
Feeding
A high P fertiliser will correlate with a more luscious floral bloom , whereas high atomic number 7 fertiliser may reduce the number of flowers – instead shake up the ontogenesis of more leaf .
check off the instructions for the fertiliser to see whether it ask diluting .
Pruning
As an annual , you could prune this flora back after the flowering season to give space for next twelvemonth ’s plant to arise .
Bear in mind , however , thatI.albaputs forth attractive and challenging seed seedpod after unfolding , and some nurseryman resolve to keep these plants around a small longer so they can savour these semen .
As an enthusiastic grower , you may encounter yourself want to clip back your moonflower vine throughout its blossom season to keep it wait tidy and organize .
This is fine , just be deliberate not to prune back too aggressively .
Common Issues
Moonflowers are n’t known to be especially prostrate to any diseases , meaning they should give you a fairly low amount of hassle .
There are a few worm to keep an eye out for , however , includingaphids , spider tinge and leaf mallet .
Here ’s how to reduce the risk of an infestation :
