I Have Several Moon Vines Blooming. I Want To Save…
Dianae Asked
I have several moon vines blooming. I want to save the seeds but can’t find the seed pod after they bloom.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Diane: Collecting seeds is a great way to share with your friends as well as an economical way to fill your own garden. There are a few different vines commonly referred to as moon vine, but the most common is the night-blooming, sweetly scented Moon vine (Ipomoea alba). This vine is a perennial in warmer climates but for those of us not living in the tropics it is considered an annual vine. The flowers usually have to be pollinated for seeds to develop. So every faded flower may not develop a seed pod but keep looking and I am sure that you will find some. Ipomoea alba has a reputation for self-seeding but if you want to be certain you have seeds for next year, you can collect the seed pods, which will appear after the pollinated flowers have faded. The pods themselves will start off green and eventually harden and turn a dark plum color. It is important to let the pods dry on the vine. This is when they are ready to harvest. Break open the pod and collect the seeds. The pod only holds a few seeds because of their size, unlike some pods that hold hundreds of seeds. Once you have harvested the seeds, allow them to dry and then place them in a bag or container out of direct light and store them for the colder months. Early next spring you can take them out and use a knife or something sharp to knick the seeds. Then place them in warm water overnight and pot them up the following day. Use a peat pot that you can directly transplant into the garden. Otherwise, wait until your frost-free date has passed and directly sow them in your garden.
