Ipomoea Species, Morning Glory, Spanish Flag, Firecracker Vine, Exotic Love Vine

On Jan 29, 2019, hotbuthumid from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

I was trying to decide whether to plant this vine because of the varied experiences getting it to bloom and came across this info which explains why it flowers late. Tho the packet says "sow after danger of frost" yada yada it's an obligate short day bloomer so I'm going to sow it MUCH later since it likes lots of heat to germinate and cannot bloom until the days get short! I'll also choose my location so it gets late fall sun (my beds go nearly 360 degrees around my house).

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On Jan 25, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

A spectacular climber, annual except in semitropical climates. The individual flowers last for many weeks. Stems are burgundy.

Germination takes warm soil, and seeds can be slow to germinate (3 weeks). Can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out. Presoaking and/or nicking the seed coat is recommended.

Like other morning glories, this plant hates root disturbance (as in transplanting). Growth is best in warm summers, but place where the roots are shaded from the worst of the summer heat. Does not like root competition from trees and shrubs---grow in a large pot if you want it to climb a shrub or hedge. Flowering begins 12-14 weeks from planting.

Unlike some other plants of this genus, this species does not self-sow here in Z6a.

On Oct 26, 2013, GrampaMark from Lowell, MA wrote:

The flowers are beautiful, purchased on a whim in the spring to blend in with my morning glory's. Hope I can find the seeds again in 2014. Not flowering long enough here to get seeds. Love them!!

On Aug 10, 2013, nathanieledison from Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

I'm exotically in love with this vine! It asks for water once (sometimes twice, if hot) a day, but indeed looks incredible in any setting. I've never fertilized it, and it's in moderately sandy soil around a telephone pole. Don't tell CalTrans. This one plant got me started on annuals and I can't wait to plant more next year! Truly a winner!!

On Jul 15, 2011, CPAgain from Stanton, MI wrote:

We bought our potted Firecracker vine at a green house. It is on our patio and is doing wonderful. It was about 3' tall when we brought it home in May and has climbed to over 10' and is still growing. I have already harvest some of the seeds and will try to start them next spring.
Since we live in Michigan we are going to try cutting the plant back and bringing it in this fall and see if we can keep it alive through winter.

On Jan 19, 2011, hortulaninobili from St. Louis, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:

Ipomoea lobata syn. Mina lobata:

A very easy to grow plant from seed. Seed can be started in small pots early in the spring and transplanted out as soon as frost threat abates, or planted in final position in the garden and will do equally well. Once planted (or germinated and plant begins to grow), firecracker vine/Spanish flag will grow rapidly and takes well to heat and humidity. Too much fertilizer, water, or too rich a soil may contribute to the plant growing vegetative and luxuriously at the expense of flowers. In my region (center of the country) Spanish flag begins to flower late summer, through autumn, and until hard frost.

Hummingbirds have a ravenous appetite for the nectar in the flowers. It seems that the hummingbirds all think this--among others-... read more-is their plant: I have observed they are not very given to sharing and chase each other away to indulge in the ephemeral nectar-drinking binge (also witnessed with salvias, trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, African lion's tail).

Not at all cold-hardy in my locale. Best if allowed to grow up a trellis, arbor, pergola, fence, or similar. Because of firecracker vine's boldness and warm color, tends to look best alone or with lush tropical plants such as canna, elephant ear, castor bean, lantana, or similar. No observation of serious disease or pests.

On Oct 12, 2010, GreginColorado from Greeley, CO wrote:

I bought some seeds and planted them after soaking overnight, into a 15 week, late for the growing season, flower bed. It was a slow go at first and I thought they wouldn't make it. Seemed to take forever to get them out of the ground, even in the direct Sun they were growing in. Plenty of water too.

They have been blooming now for nearly three weeks and I am so pleased! What a bright and shining specimen of a plant to have growing on my fence posts. I'm hoping to gather seed, but so far, even the dried seed pods seem to be absent of any seed. Might be the late start in the season and or not enough pollinators? Anyway, I will have this in my garden from now on! I live in Greeley, Colorado and it will frost tonight, so will cover my vines and see if I can still get some seed... read mores after Oct 12, 2010.

On Jan 3, 2010, terrora wrote:

Hi, bought three of these at the L.B.Gardens in Oct and they were all doing great. They now look like the frost may have done them in, but I'm hoping being like a morning glory they will all come back hardy in the spring. All three are in pots, one in San Francisco and two are here in Vacaville, CA Please tell me they will come back, they are so lovely and I would like to harvest the seeds for more.
Thanks!

On Aug 29, 2009, EllieMaGoo from Pittsburgh, PA wrote:

I forget how many seeds were in the pack. Maybe 7 grew, though a couple got eaten by a groundhog. The remaining plants grew into a very nice vine, though it could thicker. I saw that the seeds are poisonous. Should I be careful to keep my dog away from them?

On Sep 27, 2008, rosary83 from Wyandotte, MI wrote:

This is my first year of planting spanish flag . It took forever to start but once it did it grew fast. Hummingbirds are super attracted to it. I am looking forward to having it in my garden for many years. This plant is grown in Wyandotte Michigan

On Jan 8, 2003, Cactus_Joe from Vancouver,
Canada wrote:

This is a vigorous vine. Slow to start off with while the soil is still cool, once warmed up late in spring, it can completely cover an 8 foot tall pillar in no time. The numerous unusual and spectacular flowers are long lasting. It blooms right through till first frost. In locations where frost hits before the end of October, there may not be enough time for the seeds to ripen. The neatest thing about it as a vine is a characteristics it shares with other annual morning glories - the vines decay quickly and are easy to remove once the plant packs it in in the fall. It looked good combined with Cobaea scandens - they seem to coexist well together on the same structure.