How to grow moonflower? A detailed guide to the latest growing methods
Moonflower is also known as tianqie'er, xiyan, Chang'e Flying to the Moon, tianqie'er, and so on. It is an annual twining herbaceous plant in the genus Ipomoea of the Convolvulaceae family. Its white flowers resemble a full moon, are large and beautiful, and open at night, which is how it got its name. It has high ornamental value and is often used as an eye-catching hedge feature. Now let us take a look together at how to grow moonflower!
Growth habits of moonflower
Moonflower is native to the tropical and temperate regions of the New World, including the entire South America, Central America, Mexico and the US state of Florida. It has been introduced and cultivated in many parts of China and is relatively common. It likes abundant sunlight and warmth, is not cold-tolerant, and freezes to death when frost occurs. It has no strict requirements for soil and grows well in sunny and moist conditions. Large seedlings do not tolerate transplanting.
Propagation methods of moonflower
Moonflower can be propagated from seeds. Collect seeds in late autumn, dry them and store them, then sow in March to April of the following year. When direct sowing in the open ground, seedlings should be transplanted and set out only after true leaves have grown. Sow in a seedbed in early spring, and when the seedlings have grown 3 to 5 true leaves, they can be planted in front of a flower stand or fence and allowed to climb and grow. In addition, moonflower easily produces adventitious roots at its vine nodes, so it can also be propagated by cuttings and layering.
How to grow moonflower
1. Soil: Moonflower prefers a slightly moist to somewhat dry soil environment. The high-temperature summer period is its vigorous growth stage, and at this time the water supply should be ensured.
2. Fertilizing: Moonflower has a relatively high demand for fertilizer. In addition to applying base fertilizer at planting time, during the vigorous growth stage a dilute liquid fertilizer can be applied every 2 to 3 weeks.
3. Light: Moonflower likes an environment with sufficient sunlight, and daily sunlight exposure should not be less than 4 hours.
4. Temperature: Moonflower likes warmth and is not cold-tolerant. It grows better within a temperature range of 18 to 28°C.
5. Trellising: Moonflower should have supports set up in time to ensure that the young plants have something to attach to after they grow larger and can climb the trellis smoothly.
6. Diseases: Moonflower is often harmed by powdery mildew, aphids, and so on. If these occur, measures should be taken promptly to deal with them.