Blue Dawn Flower
Blue Dawn Flower or Ipomoea indica is a stunning evergreen perennial vine that can easily climb up to 25 feet in height. It's native to South East Asia. It is grown widely as an ornamental around the world as well in home gardens and public parks. This heat-resistant vine has attractive 4-inch bell flowers of purple or violet color with white centers so that’s why it's often called 'Blue Dawn'. The star-like flowers appear in the late spring and early summer and will stay until mid-fall. The foliage of this plant is also very attractive. It has a deep green oval-shaped, heart-shaped, or arrow-shaped leaves that will add color and texture to the garden area.
Keep Blue Dawn flowers’ soil moist and evenly hydrated but not soggy. For proper hydration, you need to water the plant enough to keep the topsoil of the pot moist but well-drained. If your plant doesn’t get enough water, its foliage will start fading and as a result, the flowering performance will be affected. Regularly water the plant in hot and dry weather. Regularly misting the foliage will also help in preventing any infection caused due to dryness.
Blue Dawn Flower prefers to grow in bright indirect light or full sun. In cold climates, it's better to grow this vigorously-growing plant in partially shaded areas. It will thrive in slightly more shaded conditions than other types of morning glories. Though it's partial shade tolerant, this flower needs at least 4 to 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight a day to provide best flowering performance.
This plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from as low as 25°F (-10°C) to as high as 110°F (45°C) once it's established. Even in cold regions, it doesn't need any protection. But avoid any harsh drop in temperature, as it can ruin your flowering performance.
It prefers a moderately humid environment but can grow in lower humid conditions too. For better performance, mist the foliage once in a day to increase humidity.
Blue Dawn Vines prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH ranging between 5.5 to 7.5. Mix soil with gritty mulch and compost for best growth. You also need to add a layer of organic matter like compost to its soil every spring.
It doesn’t require regular fertilization. You just need to mulch it with some organic matter like compost every spring to provide sufficient nutrient and water to the plant. But if you want, you can feed the plant with liquid fertilizer every two weeks when the flowering is good. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
Unfortunately, Blue Dawn Vines are often pest targets. The most common pests that infest Blue Dawn are aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, slugs, and other leaf feeders like caterpillars. To get rid of these pests, you need to spray a mixture of water and insecticidal soap or neem oil to the foliage. You need to spray regularly until all the pests are eliminated. Once pests are eliminated, regular treatment with natural pest deterrents like Neem oil will help in preventing further infestation.
Blue Dawn Vines need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years in a well-drained, rich, peat-based soil. In hot climates, potting with a slightly heavier soil is better to retain moisture for longer. Before replanting, you need to soak the pot or container overnight in water and use a potting mixture that will provide good drainage.
Blue dawn vines require pruning regularly to maintain shape and size. You need to regularly trim away weak and dying leaves, faded flowers, and dead branches to maintain its healthy and attractive look. It will also help in promoting better air circulation and light penetration.
Mulching Blue Dawn Vines with organic matter like compost will help in enhancing the soil quality by maintaining moisture and preventing weed growth. It will also protect the plant’s roots from heat and cold.
Blue Dawn vines are propagated by rooting stem cuttings in water or soil. Cut 6 to 8 inches long stem cutting with 2-3 nodes from the mother plant. Remove the lower leaves of the stem cuttings and dip the cutting in or apply a root hormone. If using soil for propagation, you can use moisten peat moss. To encourage rooting, keep the soil medium moist but not soggy and wait for a few weeks.
Blue Dawn Vines need some kind of support for climbing. You can use a small trellis, wires, screws, wall mountings, or trellising against a wall. It will help in the better growth and flowering of the plant.
Blue Dawn Flower is an don't require rest period for winter dormancy. So, you don't need to move it underneath indoors or ill cover with frost blanket if you live in a cold winter climate.
Blue Dawn Vines are not toxic to cats, dogs and other pets. So, it is safe to grow around pets.
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