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Ipomoea pes-caprae is a sprawling vine found on beaches from Texas across to Florida and up to Georgia. The flowers look similar to morning glory, hence the name beach morning glory, but the foliage is much different. It makes an excellent ground cover, with evergreen leaves and a quick-growing nature. What is beach morning glory? Well delve into that question together along with some fun beach morning glory info.
Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is a vigorous vine that can grow up to 10 feet in just one season With its fast growth rate and stunning flowers, it’s easy to see why this plant is a popular choice for coastal gardens. But just how quickly does beach morning glory grow? Let’s take a closer look
The Growth Rate of Beach Morning Glory
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Beach morning glory is considered a fast growing annual vine.
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When provided with ideal growing conditions, it can grow up to 10 feet (3 m) in a single season
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The vines grow quickly right from the start. Young seedlings can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) within the first two weeks after germinating.
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Once established, the vines can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) per month during the peak growing season.
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Overall, growth rate depends on factors like sunlight, soil quality, water, and temperature. But beach morning glory is known for its ability to grow rapidly even in poor sandy soils.
Factors That Affect Growth
While beach morning glory grows quickly by nature, there are some key factors that affect its growth rate:
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Sunlight – These plants need full sun exposure (at least 6 hours daily) for optimal growth. Insufficient sunlight will result in reduced growth.
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Soil – Well-draining sandy or loamy soil provides ideal conditions. Heavier clay soils can restrict root development and slow growth.
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Water – Regular watering is vital, especially during dry periods. Drought conditions will stunt growth.
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Temperature – Warm weather accelerates growth. Cool temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can slow down the growth rate.
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Fertilizer – Applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring gives the plant an extra growth boost. But it’s not an absolute must.
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Pruning – Trimming off dead or diseased vines encourages the plant to produce new energetic growth.
Growth Stages
The growth pattern of beach morning glory over a typical growing season follows these stages:
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Germination – Seeds germinate in 7-14 days after sowing when soil temperatures reach 65°F (18°C). Seedlings emerge within 2 weeks.
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Establishment – The rapid growth phase starts about 4-6 weeks after germination. Vine length can reach up to 6 inches in the first 2 weeks.
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Vegetative Growth – The vine grows steadily through summer at a rate of up to 12 inches per month under ideal conditions. Frequent watering and fertilizing accelerates growth.
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Flowering – Plants start flowering about 8-10 weeks after seeding. More flowers are produced when vines grow longer. Flowers open in the morning and close by afternoon.
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Seed Production – Seeds start developing in seed pods 6-8 weeks after flowering. Plants focus energy on seed production as daylength shortens by late summer.
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Maturity – Plants reach their maximum length by late summer or early fall. Growth slows down as temperatures cool and daylength shortens.
Tips for Faster Growth
Here are some useful tips to help your beach morning glory grow bigger and faster:
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost to get a head start on growth.
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Give plants a high phosphorus fertilizer to encourage vigorous root and shoot growth.
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Use row covers or cloches to warm the soil in early spring and protect seedlings.
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Provide sturdy trellises, arbors or fences for vines to cling to as they rapidly grow taller.
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Prune off spent flowers to promote extended bloom period and increased vine length.
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Ensure consistent moisture, especially when plants are young or during summer heat waves.
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Mulch around the base of plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
With its incredibly fast growth, beach morning glory can quickly cover up bare spaces in the garden. Just be sure to provide ample vertical support for the galloping vines. With minimal care, this vigorous plant will reward you with months of charming flowers and abundant foliage.
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Beach Morning Glory Info
The tangled vines and deep taproot make growing beach morning glories perfect for stabilizing soil. Beach morning glories in gardens can perform as groundcovers. They are often seen tumbling in and over seawalls or along beach paths. Propagation is through seed or cuttings. Seeds do not need a dormant period but the seed coat must be scarified before germination, which occurs in every season but winter. These remarkable vines need little nutrition and have a high drought tolerance. To establish beach morning glories in gardens, take a cutting and set it into moistened sand. The internodes will shortly send out roots. Set them 3 feet (1 m.) apart and keep plants moist for the first few months.
What is Beach Morning Glory?
Beach morning glory is also called railroad vine due to its scrambling nature and ability to cover less used tracks and roadsides. It is adapted to coastal areas where sand is plentiful and the soil is well-draining. Salt, heat, and wind dont bother this plant and it is common to see it splayed across a dune in coastal regions. The large mats it forms help stabilize sand where it grows just above high tide. Beach morning glory can exceed 33 feet (10 m.) in length. It is native to coastal regions of North America and pan-tropical globally. In the U.S., it is hardy to zone 9 to 11. Leaves are 1 to 6 inches in length (2.5-15 cm.), double-lobed, thick, fleshy, and evergreen. The roots of this plant are often more than 3 feet (1 m.) into the sand. Flowers are funnel-shaped, darker at the corolla, and may be pink, reddish-purple, or dark violet. The perennial vine is just 16 inches high (40.5 cm.) but creates a tangled, low-growing thicket.
Growing Morning Glory Plant Time Lapse – Seed To Flower (114 Days)
FAQ
How quickly does morning glory grow?
How to make morning glories grow faster?
Do morning glories bloom the first year?
Do morning glories like sun or shade?
How big does beach morning glory grow?
Beach Morning Glory is excellent for beachfront homes and coastal landscapes. Grows up to 6 in. tall (15 cm) and 10-50 ft. wide (3-15 m). Will quickly spread to form a mat without being invasive. Thrives in full sun in dry to moist, well-drained, sandy soils.
Where does beach morning glory grow?
Forming roots at the nodes, they provide a dense leafy cover. Native to the coastlines of tropical and subtropical areas across the globe, Beach Morning Glory occurs naturally on coastal dunes where it is an important sand stabilizer and colonizer after disturbances. Beach Morning Glory is excellent for beachfront homes and coastal landscapes.
How do you grow beach morning glories?
To establish beach morning glories in gardens, take a cutting and set it into moistened sand. The internodes will shortly send out roots. Set them 3 feet (1 m.) apart and keep plants moist for the first few months. Gardeners growing beach morning glories can breathe a sigh of relief.
Are beach morning glories a good plant?
Gardeners growing beach morning glories can breathe a sigh of relief. These plants are practically foolproof once established. The biggest problem will be their rapid growth rate and spread, but if you have a large area to cover, they are an excellent plant.