How to Grow Moonflowers
Moonflowers. Heart-shaped dark green leaves on long trailing vines with pure white flowers that exude a gorgeous fragrance. Also known as Calonyction aculeatum), they are a favorite of many gardeners. Moon flower vines can grow upwards to 20 feet with 6-inch-wide blossoms that open from evening until the following midday. Once established, they require little care. If you have a sunny location and something for the flowers to grow on, then grab a package of moon flower seeds and get started.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Moon flower seeds
- Metal file, sharp knife or nail clippers
- Cup
- Garden Trowel
- Water
- Trellis, porch rails or something for the flowers to climb on
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How to Grow Moonflower Seeds
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1
Sow the moon flower seeds in the spring after all danger of frost is gone. In frost-free areas, the seeds can be sown in the fall to early spring. You can also start the seeds indoors in a well-lit area, 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost.
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2
Prepare the seeds the night before you are going to plant them. Moon flower seeds have a thick husk and need to be chipped before planting. The seeds are about the size of a kernel of corn, so this is not difficult to do. You can take a metal file and file the seed. Or you can take a sharp knife and score the seed. You can also take a pair of nail clippers and nip one of the edges of the seed.
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3
Put the seeds in a cup and cover with warm water. Let them stand overnight. This, along with the chipping, will help the seeds germinate quicker.
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4
Select a sunny location to plant the moonflowers. They need as much sun as they can get. If you can, plant them in a place where their fragrance can be enjoyed. Also take into account that this is a climbing vine and will either need something to climb on, like a porch rail, a lamp post, a trellis, or even twine or floral wire.
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5
Plant the seeks ½ inch deep. Gently tamp the soil down on top of the seeds. Carefully water the soil so as not to move the seeds. Keep the ground moist. Seedlings should appear in 7 to 14 days, depending upon the soil and weather conditions.
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6
Thin the seedlings, when they are big enough to handle, to 12-inches apart. If they were not planted near a porch rail, then provide something for the moon flowers to climb on. It can be as simple as nailing one end of twine or floral wire to the outside of the house and securing the other end with a weight.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Moon flower seeds are poisonous if ingested.
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Comments
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if that address does not work try this one .
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love the moon flower & want to try & grow them in 2012. If I can find the seeds.
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no she did not , she always acts like you guys don't even come over that's why you need to keep me informed i'm dropping her meds off tomorrow they were are on auto fill so i'll take them down iafter work she said we will all be old someday an we'll see how it is , i told her she would outlive all of us lol an then who would she have to take care of all her needs lol
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Sure can and I would like a start of the 4 o"clocks Please~Did Plumer tell you we took her to the grocery yesterday and set the bombs off?
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i have 4 o'clocks an i have something an old old man gave me years ago he was from germany an he called these flowers moonbeam they are tall bushy stalks an have a bright yellow flower that starts to open about 4 in the afternoon an you can actually watch them open then they stay open all night an are closed at daybreak , my 4o'clocks are red an they don't have a scent but they are pretty also i know someone who has them in white . Karen can i have a start of your flowers this fall??????????
