Ipomoea Mixed produces large, ruffled blooms in a wide range of rich colours including deep blue, red, chocolate, pink and lavender in both solid-coloured and white-margined varieties. This extremely carefree and free-blooming, annual climbing vine will grow to around 120 to 180cm (4 to 6ft) tall. It will bloom early and load itself with masses of attractive funnel shaped flowers up to 10cm (3in) wide all summer long. Each flower opens in the early morning and lasts for only one day; to be replaced each morning by fresh blossoms.

Preparation:

Choose a sunny position with moist soil, they cannot grow or bloom properly in the shade. The seed coating is rather hard, and it will hasten germination if you stand the seeds in tepid water for a day or two before sowing.

Sowing: Sow indoors in late winter, or outdoors in early spring

Sow indoors in early spring no sooner than three to four weeks before the last expected frosts, and four weeks before you plan to plant them outside. Alternatively, the seed can also be sown directly where they are to flower once all risk of frosts has passed. Keep soil moist during germination. Germination will take place in 5 to 14 days

Sowing Indoors:

Sow into individual pots or trays of seed compost. Paper or peat pots are preferable. Use well drained soil and cover to a depth of 3mm (1/8in). Maintain a temperature of around 20°C and keep compost moist.

Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate. Prick out to individual pots, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.

Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out in growing position after the last expected frosts. Space 15cm (6in) apart. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away actively.

Sowing Direct:

Sow once the soil has warmer and all risk of frost has passed. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. Sow 1mm (1/18th in) deep in rows 7cm (3in) apart. Sow seed sparingly or they will choke out other seedlings.

The seedlings will appear in rows approx three to four weeks after planting and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings. Thin the seedlings out so they are finally 30cm (12in) apart. Carefully replant thinned plants.

Cultivation:

Ipomoea nil needs a sunny position for best flowering, the plants can grow to a height of 120 to 180cm (4 to 6ft) and will require the support of a trellis or canes.

Ipomoea is quite happy to be grown in a container, as long as due care is taken with watering and feeding. In hot climates provide a saucer under the container to maximise the water available to the plant. The size of the container will determine the ultimate size of the plant. A larger pot will need a trellis as a larger plant will be able to be grown.

Remove spent flowers to encourage prolific blooming. Plants will self sow in the right conditions, remove spent flowers or collect dried seed pods if you do not wish to have volunteer seedlings next year.