PlantFiles: Japanese Morning Glory
Ipomoea nil 'Chachamaru'

This was a very easy vine to germinate and grow. I grew mine in a fairly big clay pot with some marigolds, in an area that does not get the strong afternoon sun. I started these seed in early March - it is now mid-June, and some seed pods are already dry. The vines grew about 4', which is really better than I had expected, since these were the first I grew in pots. I will grow some in ground, and measure those as well.

It was a very nice surprise in a packet of seeds purchased thru a small co-op here on Daves Garden. Actually, I was shocked to get the reversed tube on this particular plant. Don't know if any seeds will be formed, but will try to hand pollinate to ensure some seeds at least for next year.

The plants that I have grown have had colors that very closely resemble the pictures posted here,i.e., a sort of 'Chocolate Rose' yojiro(i.e.,with white rays or spokes) type of color,and a common name that more accurately reflects the actual color may be more realistic than the misleading 'Orange' color depicted on the Japanese packets.

Chachamaru means "Little Brown" in Japanese....it is not orange and it should not be called orange.

The name, translated by the person in Japan that I got them from, means:

"Cha means brown color, maru means...it is a kind of endearment for a man who is charming. We use maru, Davemaru, Stephenmaru, like this :) We call a man in affectionately, using for a man not for a woman."

So, what would that be? "Charming Brown" or perhaps "Lovely Brown" or "Sweet Brown" ?

I got these seeds in a trade with a person in Japan - they are from the Sakata company. I had 100% germination on them! Bugs and critters seem to really like these vines, though - much more than the 'standard' morning glories, so keeping them dusted, especially near the bottom, even after they are large, seems a must. I had several cut, even after they were vining up the fence. Never did find what it was that cut them - a rabbit or grass hopper is my guess.

I would suggest that you grow these in partial shade if your high temps reach and stay above 85F for several hours a day; they really don't like the heat/sun here in the summer in Florida.

Although the picture on the package shows more of an orange color, the flowers seem to be the same color as the 'chocolate' morning glory, I would say a dusty pink. They have a white star and white edges and are about 3" across.

Germination took about 5 days, I soaked the seeds 3-4 hours before planting in warm water. From germination to bloom took about 45 days.

A very lovely morning glory - I would definately recommend - should do especially well in cooler climates.

One of the most intresting colors of the Fuji (Spoked) series. Color rage is from a peachy coral to a deep orange, or brownish with white spokes. Fast to sprout and fast to set first blooms. A real eye catcher in the garden and the hummingbirds and butterflies don't miss it either.