Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Plants, Flowers & Herbs >> Groundcovers & Vines

What Kind of Soil Do You Need to Use for a Moonflower?

Moonflowers, though they look similar, are the opposite of morning glories -- they flower at dusk. These white flowering vines, also known as Ipomoea alba, provide foliage suitable for a privacy screen. They are often planted in tandem with other vining plants with similar cultural requirements. Whether planted in a garden plot or in a pot on a patio, these annual plants prefer well-draining soil and full sun.

  1. Garden Soil

    • Garden soils fall into one of three categories: clay, sand or loam. There are variations within these three categories. For instance, a sandy loam is a soil that contains organic matter but has a slightly gritty texture. This kind of soil drains well, but may need amendment to retain needed nutrients. Clay soils also need to be amended with organic matter to prevent compaction. Loam is the perfect garden soil. Its texture allows water to drain but also retains enough to keep plant's satisfied between waterings. Moonflowers thrive in loam soils. To test your soil, take a handful and clench it in your fist. If, when you open your fist, the soil is crumbly and lightly held together then you have loam soil. Soil that sticks into a ball is clay and soil that retains no shape is sand. Both clay and sand should be amended with compost before moonflower seeds are sown.

    Potting Soil

    • Moonflowers grow in pots as well as in garden plots. When choosing, or making your own, potting soil mix be certain to limit the amount of water retentive peat moss. Coarse builder's sand, vermiculite or perlite aid in drainage. A good seeding mix contains equal parts soil, peat and sand. Moonflowers do not transplant well so it is recommended that seeds are started in situ. Seeds, when nicked or rubbed against sandpaper prior to planting, will sprout and grow to maturity in a mix suited for seed starting.

    Irrigation

    • Moonflower fails to thrive when planted in areas with standing water, compacted soil or other drainage issues. Seeds rot in the ground before they have a chance to sprout and mature. Mature plants develop root rot, wilt and die. Assess growing conditions before planting and amend soil as needed.

    Temperature

    • Soil temperature is just as important as soil texture and irrigation. Moonflowers cannot grow in cold soil. These heat-loving tropical plants germinate only when temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Previous:

Next:

Groundcovers & Vines
  1. What Kind of Sunflower Seeds Do You Use for Growing Greens?
  2. What Kind of Soil Do You Need for Clematis?
  3. What Kind of Glue Do You Use for Gluing Vinyl to Wood?
  4. What Kind of Concrete Do You Need for Stained Concrete Flooring?
  5. What Kind of Subflooring Do You Need for Tile?
  6. What Kind of Deglosser Can You Use for Cabinets?
  7. What Kind of Fertilizer Do You Use on a Holly Bush?
  8. What Kind of Soil Do You Use for the Double Fuchsia?
  9. What Can You Use for Homemade Soil Acidification?
  10. What Kind of Fertilizer Do You Use for Boston Ferns?
  11. What Dirt Do You Use for Wheatgrass?
  12. What Do You Use Lime on Your Grass For?

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com