Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott'

MORNING GLORY
syn. Convolvulus purpureus, Pharbitis purpurea
Family: Convolvulaceae
Pronounced: ip-oh-MEE-a   pur-PUR-ee-uh

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Annual vine.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All zones (Western).
USDA zones: All zones. As an annual.
Mature size:
Height: 10-12 feet (3-3.5 m)
Flowering period:
Summer until frost.
Flowering attributes:
Funnel shaped flowers of deep purple with a rose star blending to a white throat.
Leaf attributes:
Large, heart-shaped leaves.
Growth habit:
Twining climber.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
Fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed in situ in spring after all danger of frost is over and soil has warmed up.

I successfully start morning glory plants early in the greenhouse. In late April, I soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, then plant the seed in the starting medium and place the seed flat on the heat mat in the greenhouse. After seeds germinate, tiny seedlings are transplanted into deep pots with a soil-based potting medium. They grow in the greenhouse on cold days and are brought outside on warmer days until late May. The plants are brought outside to harden off. Around early June, when the soil has warmed, they are carefully transplanted outdoors with as little disturbance to the roots as possible. A handful of complete organic fertilizer is mixed into each planting hole at the time of planting.

If you don't have a greenhouse, start your seeds indoors about 2 weeks before the last frost. Place them in a bright window, but take them outside for the day during warm spells. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor living and transplant seedlings in the ground when soil temperatures warm up.

Pests and Diseases:
Slugs, snails, spider mites, white blister, rust, fungal leaf spots, stem rot, and thread blight may be a problem.

 

Rainy Side Notes

 

 

In 1972, entheogen researcher Jonathan Ott passed this heirloom morning glory seed from Bavaria down to his granddaughter, Diane Whealy. This deep purple flower was the inspiration to start the Seed Saver's Exchange.

Morning glory's growth spurts are impressive. In early May, 'Grandpa Ott' is still a tiny seedling in a pot. Planted out in early June, it can cover a fence or trellis by July. I covered an obelisk with six plants dug in around the base.

Protect from slugs and snails while plants are small.

Morning glories are poisonous, so do not ingest any part of this plant.

Scan from an old photograph of six morning glory plants covering an obelisk.

Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.

A Pacific Northwest Plant of the Week (2012)

More Ipomoea.