How to Grow Morning Glory

Morning glories are available in so many colors that it's quite a task to choose a type that is perfect for that sunny spot you have in your yard. With a little instruction, you'll have these vines growing bright flashes of color throughout your yard.

Things You'll Need

• Small plastic cups (kid-sized)
• Quality potting soil
• Morning glory seeds
• Planting tray (or cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil)

Instructions

1. Fill one of the cups with warm water. Knick each pea-sized seed with a sharp knife. To knick a seed, hold it between your thumb and pointer finger. With a scraping back-and-forth movement, scrape off a small portion of the shell, or you can use a peeler if the blade is sharp. You can also set the seed on a cutting board and hold it with small pliers and then use the knife to make a knick. Place the seeds in the water for at least 24 hours, but no more than 32 hours.

2. Punch a hole or two on the bottom of each of the plastic cups, then fill them with dirt. Place the cups in the planting tray or cookie sheet.

3. Plant one seed in each pot, burying the seed about 1/2 inch deep, Cover with soil. Water each pot with 1/4 cup water. Place the planting tray on top of the refrigerator (or other nice warm place) for approximately 5 days.

4. Allow the seedling to grow in a sunny spot until they are at least 5 inches tall, watering them when the soil is dry.

5. Prepare the area where you will plant the seedlings by loosening the soil, removing any weeds and digging down about 3 inches. Having some quality planting soil nearby will help if you find the soil needs a boost.

6. When the plants are ready to go into the ground, very carefully remove them from the cup. Place one hand on top of the cup with the vine between two of your fingers and flip the cup upside down. The whole cup contents (roots and soil) should come right out in your hand. Be very gentle with the seedlings as they do not like much movement. Plant the seedlings close together, covering the roots with soil and gently tamping it down. Water deeply.

Tips & Warnings

• Morning glories take a long time to get their root systems going enough to grow up instead of down. Be patient and give them some twine or something to grow up and continue to help them by loosely wrapping the vine around the twine.

• Handling the seedling too much or too roughly when transplanting may kill them. Planting them in peat pots doesn't seem to work well as the roots have a very hard time breaking through the pots.