Expert: C.L. Fornari - 3/3/2007

Question
Hello, a couple quick questions. I live in Denver (zone 5) and want to know when to start these seeds. I have Morning Glorys and Holloyhocks. Both from seed. I do have one of those Jiffy counter green houses for seeds. I dont know when to start the seeds & when to plant outside. Also any special preperation for the seeds to get them to be successful. Thanks a lot.  

Answer
Steve,
Start the hollyhocks anytime now inside (general rule is 6 to 8 weeks before you can plant them outside.) Sow these seeds right on the surface of damp medium, cover with clear top and put in a warm, light location.  Remove plastic top when they germinate and plant outdoors when all danger of frost is past. (get seedlings used to the outdoors gradually - a process called "hardening off")

Morning glory seeds are best planted outside where you want them to grow, planting one to two weeks after the last frost.  If you want to start them inside DO NOT START TOO EARLY...otherwise you end up with a tangle of vines that are usually aphid or whitefly infested.  If you start them inside, plant three weeks before last frost date (your local cooperative extension will have that)  and place plants outside 3 to 4 weeks after last frost and when night time temperatures are above 50 degrees.  These plants don't like cold.

Germinate morninglory seeds the same way, if you are starting inside or out: chip seeds slightly with a sharp knife or scrape them a little bit with a nail file.  Then put them in between wet paper towels or in shallow water to soak overnight.   Plant the next morning and water in well. DO NOT FERTILIZE MORNINGGLORY PLANTS OR SEEDLINGS...if you do, you will get a huge green plant with no flowers....this vine blooms best when kept on a LEAN diet.

I hope this helps!

C.L.
www.gardenlady.com