If you often visit grassland or something similar, you will probably find many beautiful morning glory flowers. Their vibrant colors are very relaxing to see with its captivating-fragile petals and their vining leaves.
In South East Asia, such as Indonesia, the morning glory flower grows easily around the bush and some other trees. And as it turns out, this flower brings cultural significance. A lot of people label the flower with certain meanings and symbols.
The morning glory flower's origin is still being debated among botanists. However, it is accepted that this beautiful flower appeared first in Asia, especially in China and Japan.
In China, this flower is used for medicine due to its laxative effects in the seeds. Meanwhile, in the Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, other species such as Ipomoea alba were used to convert the latex so that it produces more rubber balls. In Mexico, the Aztec priests used this plant due to its hallucinogenic properties.
The plant is well-known as an exotic climber for the garden, making it a perfect addition to the garden. Besides, the flower is well-known for its easiness to grow in the warmer areas of certain species.
The characteristic of the morning glory plant is that thitrows very well in the warmer climate. It prefers the full-sun area to partial shade. If you are living in a colder area, it is better to make sure that the plant gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
The plant also thrives in well-drained soil and is moderately fertile. In terms of temperature, this flower can tolerate temperatures between 15-32 Celsius degrees and the ideal range is between 21-27 Celsius degrees. With the cooler temperature, the flower typically grows annually as it needs warmer climates.
The flower is a typical annual vine with its heart-shaped foliage. With it blooms, it will form trumpet-shaped flowers with its attractive purple-blue color. The flower has a 5-7cm diameter and opens in the morning with its white throats. In the afternoon, the bloom will close.
The best thing about this flower is that it blooms daily and will continuously bloom from early summer to early fall. This is a very beautiful color when it is spreading around the garden or growing naturally in the grassland.
The morning glory has a strong significance in many cultures in different aspects. In many Asian cultures, the flower is often associated with the idea of rebirth and resurrection. It is because the flower will have a new bloom every morning. Besides, interestingly, this flower has been mentioned in many arts and literature, making this flower become culturally iconic.
When it comes to meaning, as this flower has spread in many countries, the meaning and the relationship between the flower and the culture are different. However, in general, the flower brings special symbolism,m such as the following:
In many cultures, the flower holds special meaning. For example, in Japan, they associate this flower with the impermanence of life, and typically it is used in funerals, which represents that every being will experience the same thing from death to rebirth and also transition.
Meanwhile, the Native Americans view this morning glory as a symbol of strength and resilience. For the Aztecs, this flower represents sacrifice and penance.
There are many species that you can grow when it comes to the morning glory flowers. The flower comes in different colors, which makes your garden more old-fashioned. Each of them is charming and beautiful, from blue, pink, red, and magenta to white. Some of the most popular ones include:
Planting the morning glory can be done during the spring after the frost date is over. Typically, it starts between March and May. It is important to note that the soil should be warmed up to at least 18 Celsius degrees so the germination is optimal. If you are planting in a warm climate area, you can do it in the fall.
Another thing to note is that you have to loosen the soil to a depth of around 30 cm, and it should be well-rotted manure, so the soil is fertile enough. Next, sow the glory seeds around 1 cm and space them around 15-30 cm apart. Next, water the soil gently so it will stay moist and continue watering it regularly, but make sure it does not become waterlogged.
This flower is easy to care for, but it needs regular watering, especially during dry periods. You can water the flower deeply once or twice per week, but also check the soil moisture. When it comes to fertilizer, you can fertilize it monthly during the growing season with balanced fertilizer that contains phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Don't forget to prune the flowers, as this can grow out of control. Just remove the damaged leaves, flowers, and petals. You can also provide a trellis to help the flowering vine.
So, what do you think about the morning glory flower? If you love beautiful flowers, you will also love the flower arrangements. Athaya Florist is the perfect place if you are looking for a diverse flower arrangement for many occasions, such as weddings, engagements, business events, or events for personal use. Contact our team for more information!
