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Annuals/red cypress vine

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Expert: - 4/10/2010


Question
Should I pinch these seedlings?

Answer
The Plant Biology website offers illustrated instructions on growing this Ipomoea, a close relative of the Heavenly Blue Morning Glory and night-scented Moonflower Vine:

'Once the young Morning Glory seedlings have emerged they should be thinned to be about 30 to 45 apart, and given a trellis to climb upon. Once morning glory starts to climb on the trellis, pinch back the growing tips to encourage branching growth.'

For further reference, behold the URL: www.plant-biology.com/Ipomoea-morning-glory.php

I'm guessing your Red Cypress Vine is Ipomoea quamoclit, also called the 'Hummingbird Vine' because its red flowers and tube shape makes it the perfect dinner for Hummingbirds.  Website Operation Rubythroat lists it as #3 on the list of 'Top Ten' to attract Archilochus colubris.  Here an image of Archilochus at a feeder that looks just like one of your flowers:

auth.gardenweb.com/members/jenny_in_se_pa

The author/photographer is a former chemist.

Here's a photo of a Hummingbird Vine sans Hummingbird:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo...

Look familiar?

Pinch?  Yes.

L.I.G.  

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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