mina lobata-firecracker vine

Hi all,
Been given 3 of these plants and after a bit of googling have got mixed results. Some sites say they're a tender perennial others to treat like an annual. As it's late in the year was wondering if I keep pinching out the tips and prevent it flowering will I be able to keep it going inside until Spring?

 

Dont know windy, not tried it.
Think its usual to grow it as a half hardy annual, at least thats how I've grown it.
Give it a go you've got nothing to lose.

 

Agree with Pete. Think it is actually a tender perennial comes from Mexico, I think......
have just googled, and found this, which kind of confirms the "treat as an annual" bit - but nothing to lose by trying, I'd say.....
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/vines/mina_lobata.html :rolleyes:

 

Windy, depending on the position you choose to put it, it could survive if the roots are protected. As you have three, try three different sites! If it survives, wouldn't mind a seed or two ... cheeky, I know! :D

Dendro, the site you gave is one I have up on my favourites as I love vines! So we do agree .. sometimes ! :D :D :rolleyes:

 

I have a packet of seeds - intend planting this year, but won't be using all of them, so if you want some, LoL....

 

Faz favor, faz favor, obrigadinhas, minha amiga!

I'm making a little package up for you now but will probably post it next week in the UK as there's no rush to plant anything ... I'll chat to you later!

 

I take it you meen you would like some then????? :D I'll wait until you're back in Portugal, and you can remind me..... :rolleyes:

 

Thanks everyone,
Great link Dendy It is a stunner isn't it? Will look great growing up the fence between me and Dingle's Yard. Think I'll try one there, one behind the compost bin where it's more sheltered and keep one indoors. Hopefully I'll manage to keep one going til next year. If not Dendy, could I have a couple of your seeds? :D :D

 

Yes very much so, but you'll be glad to hear that it is as unfussy about moderately cool conditions as annual Ipomoeas are finnicky. I grew it here some years ago when I needed some fast, colourful cover. Seedlings were planted out in mid April (try doing that with Ipomoea 'Heavenly Blue') and they romped away, flowering like crazy all summer and dropping shed-loads of seed everywhere. I think my only gripe with this species was that the growth was somewhat coarse and it needed lots of feed and moisture to remain in good condition.

The following spring during the March clean-up, I yanked out the old plants expecting them to be just dead stems. I found that although a lot of top growth had partly died back, the lower portions of stem were green and shooting while the thick, white roots were extremely healthy. Furthermore, self-sown seedlings kept popping up for the next few years.

Overwintering just above frost-free in good light and keeping the plants on the dry side should be enough.

 

Thanks for that Dave Sounds an ideal plant for behind my baby trachy - if I ever get it planted out!!

 

I'll send you some anyway, Windy - it's such a nice plant you'll proably want another anyway!! :D

Just send me your address

 

OOh thanks Dendy Are you sure you've got enough to spare? Hopefully these 3 will last the Winter and then I can return the favour next year PM on its way. Thank you

 

they're on their way..... :D

 

Ah right, I was going to put some in the package I'm preparing to send LoL. I won't include them then.

 

I'm sure they wouldn't mind the odd extra one, Rich! :D