Japanese Morning Glory 'Kikyo-Zaki' (Ipomoea Nil) - Bring a touch of ancient Japanese elegance to your tropical space with 'Kikyo-Zaki', a rare heirloom morning glory bred over centuries by master gardeners. This vigorous annual vine explodes with large, star-shaped flowers up to 5–6 inches wide—often semi-double for extra drama. Expect a vibrant mix of cobalt blue, rosy red, and white petals, edged in crisp white and accented by a shocking pink throat, like delicate origami unfolding each dawn.
Climbs 2.5–3 m effortlessly over trellises, fences, or balconies, blanketing them in lush green foliage from summer through fall. Heat- and humidity-loving, it's perfect for tropical climates, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds while thriving in full sun. Self-seeds gently for seasons of effortless color.
Easy to grow from seed—sow now in November for blooms by February. A showstopper that's as rewarding as it is rare!
Growing:
Seed Prep: Nick the hard seed coat with sandpaper or a file (scarification) to speed germination. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 12–24 hours until they swell slightly.
Soil: Use well-drained, fertile loamy soil with pH 6.0–7.0. Mix 50% garden soil, 30% compost, and 20% sand or perlite to combat tropical humidity.
Sowing Method: Fill 3–4 inch (8–10 cm) pots or seed trays with the mix.
Sow seeds ½ inch (1–2 cm) deep, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) apart. Water gently to moisten (not soak). Cover with clear plastic wrap for humidity. Place in a warm spot (75–85°F / 24–29°C) with indirect light.
Germination: 7–14 days. Thin seedlings to the strongest one per pot when they have 2 true leaves.
Transplanting Seedlings (Weeks 3–4): Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 days (start with 1–2 hours of shade daily). Transplant to final location when 10–15 cm tall: space 15–30 cm apart near a support structure (trellis, fence, or arbor).
Sunlight and Location: Full sun (6–8 hours daily) for maximum blooms—morning sun with afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 32°C to prevent leaf scorch. Ideal spots: Balconies, patios, or garden edges with wind protection. Provide sturdy support from day one.
Watering and Mulching: Young Plants: Keep soil evenly moist (water every 2–3 days) until established—tropical rains help, but avoid waterlogging. Mature Plants: Water deeply 1–2 times weekly when top 2.5 cm of soil is dry. Reduce during rainy seasons.
Mulch: Apply 2 inches (5 cm) of organic mulch (coconut coir or bark) around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Fertilizing and Pruning: Weeks 1–4: High-nitrogen (e.g., 20-10-10) for vegetative growth.
From week 5 onward (when flower buds appear): Switch to high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen bloom formula (e.g., 10-30-20 or 0-10-10) once a week. Japanese growers use liquid “Hyponex Blue” or similar — widely available in Singapore nurseries. Optional: Add 0.1 % magnesium sulphate (epsom salt) spray once a month for deeper colours.
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