Hello everyone! I sowed some morning glory seeds (various hybrids) indoors in late february, and I have just recently realized I may be in a bit over my head. They are starting to want to climb and some have as many as 3 sets of true leaves opened. I am going crazy trying to decide when to put them outside and whether to put them in the ground or in containers. I would prefer to do containers, as I may be moving soon and I can't bear the thought of missing those blooms!
I live in zone 8 and the weather seems to be warming up, but it's almost 80 one day and then in the 50's the next (like today for example, mid 50's). And the night time lows for this week go as low as 35. Is it safe to start the hardening off process or should I hold off?
Any advice I can get would be so very appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

-Meghan

Morning glories do NOT like cold temperatures! 35 is too cold for them. What you could do, if you have them, is put your starts into either somewhat larger peat pots or metal coffee cans with the bottoms taken off and replaced with the plastic lid (suitably perforated for drainage). That way, you can either plant the whole peat pot or take the bottom off the coffee can and plant the whole can when you're ready to put them out. I've done the bit with the coffee cans and it works very well for any number of plants.

Woofie,
Thanks for the advice! I like the coffee can idea! I'm all for using things I already have rather than spending money I don't! What temp would you say (nighttime low) I should wait for before putting them out?

Well, regardless of what temp you finally set them out, you still need to harden them off. Ya know, I'm not sure of a definite temperature, but I don't think I'd let them get below 50 overnight to begin with. Maybe someone over in the Vines and Climbers forum could give you a bit more specific guidance? @Gerris2 is very knowledgeable! Hint, hint, Joseph!

To control vine growth temporarily, you can snip the ends after a certain number of true leaves have appeared, for example, after 6 leaves. You will, after a while, get new vine growth appearing at several leaf nodes, so you haven't lost anything and possibly will get more flowers out of the operation.

To be safe and to keep Ipomoea nil happy, wait until night temperatures are above 55 to 60 degrees F. Ipomoea purpurea can tolerate a bit more cool temperatures at night. I don't know what you have growing so can't help more, but those are the 2 more popular species.

Thanks, Gerris2! I was just browsing morning glory threads the other day and your pictures are breath taking!
I am starting to think I sowed my seeds a bit too early... it was just so hard to keep waiting! I will try the tip removal method... it certainly makes sense that doing so would get those hormones going and encourage more dense growth rather than leggy. I have used that method with a lot of herbs and other plants, but for some reason I never considered it with the MGs. Thanks again!

- M

You're very welcome, Meghan. I'm happy to help if I can. Which morning glory varieties do you have growing?

I have I. sloteri 'apricot candy', I. alba (night blooming), I. purpurea, and some other hybrids. A friend of mine had them on various trellises but naturally they were tangled so it was hard to tell what seeds were coming from what vine when I was collecting. The only two I can identify right now with any certainty are the I. sloteri (via the lacy and oh so beautiful foliage) and I. abla.
Honestly, there is something about not knowing what kind of surprises I will get come bloom time that really appeals to me. It's like opening a present!

I can see your point. Thank you - you will have a fantastic vine garden.

I know nothing about getting them from inside to outside, but always love MG's on the west side of the house. That way, the sun hits them later, so they stay open as long as possible. The ones on the east side close hours earlier.

Tiffany,
I never would have thought of that! Definitely worth doing! Do you think a SW facing area would work as well?

Thanks!

- Meghan

Anywhere there's enough sun for the afternoon to keep plants healthy and blooming well, and as late of a shadow (in the morning) as possible, is great! Whenever the sun hits, the flowers start the process of closing.

I grew some on my (covered) front porch last year. It is south-facing and I put the pot on the west side. A couple of times, when the weather was overcast, the blooms stayed open till the following day!