What is the color of morning glory?
In the courtyard fences and urban green belts, morning glories (scientific name: Ipomoea nil) can always be seen with their graceful figures. This plant, known as "Asagao," is not only famous for its beautifully shaped trumpet-like flowers but also favored by gardening enthusiasts for its unique color changes and extremely long blooming period. This article will delve into the color mystery and blooming patterns of morning glories and share professional care techniques.
Decoding the Color Code of Morning Glory
A Visual Feast of the Color Spectrum
Morning glory has a rare wide-spectrum coloration ability in the plant world, with flower colors including: - Basic colors: Peach/Blue/Snow white/Dark purple- Rare variants: Scarlet/Dark purple/Cherry pink/Lemon yellow/IndigoThis color diversity is due to the concentration differences of anthocyanins in cell sap and changes in pH values. When the pH value fluctuates between 5.0-6.5, the petals will display a blue-violet color; when the pH value rises above 6.5, it turns to a red color.
Timeline of Morning Glory Blooming
Blooming Lifecycle
About 40 days after sowing, it enters the initial blooming period, and the peak blooming period continues until the first frost: - Spring sowing (March-April): Blooms in mid-to-late June- Summer sowing (May-June): Blooms in early AugustA single flower's lifespan is about 6 hours, but the entire plant's blooming period can last up to 120 days. It opens precisely at 4-5 AM every morning and closes before noon, earning it the name "Messenger of the Dawn."
Three Essential Elements of Morning Glory Care
Soil Nutrition Control
Use a mixed matrix of humus soil and river sand in a ratio of 3:1, with an EC value controlled between 0.8-1.2 mS/cm. Over-fertilization can trigger "nutritional growth dominance," resulting in a 40% increase in leaf diameter but a 60% decrease in flower quantity. It is recommended to apply a flowering-specific fertilizer with a phosphorus-potassium ratio of 3:1 monthly.
Light Intensity Management
Ensure at least 5 hours of direct sunlight daily, with an optimal light intensity of 30,000-50,000 lux. Experimental data shows that 50% shading can delay blooming by 2 weeks and reduce flower quantity by 75%. It is recommended to plant in a north-south direction to ensure light cycle stability.
Water Balance Art
Follow the principle of "keeping the soil dry and wet," maintaining soil moisture between 40-60%. In the rainy season, set up a 15-degree tilted planting trough to ensure a drainage rate greater than 5mm/min. Excessive moisture can reduce root respiration efficiency by 30% and increase the rate of falling buds to 80%.
By scientifically controlling these three elements, the number of flowers per plant can be increased by 3 times, and the blooming period can be extended by more than 20 days.
From the perspective of gene expression, morning glory is truly a "color master" in nature. Its R2R3-MYB transcription factors control the expression of the DFR gene to achieve precise anthocyanin synthesis. Understanding this biological mechanism not only enhances ornamental value but also provides new insights for horticultural breeding. Enthusiasts are recommended to regularly record flower color change data, optimize care plans based on local climatic characteristics, and let this "morning rainbow" shine even more brilliantly.