CELEBRATING WITH A MOONFLOWER VINE

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Now is the time that Southern Coastal folks have been waiting for. The occasion is of course OEOAHS.

This year I am going to plant the traditional Moonflower Vine on my backporch. Thats right I am using my reclaimed seeds from early summer.

http://sofloridagardening-sanddune.blogspot.com/2009/07/moonvine-seed-harvest.html

The first step is to score the hard seed coats to make them germinate "more better".

You are right that is what the file is for so you can score. It's an art in itself cause these little seeds are hard as a rock and don't like being scored.

Now that you scored you have to dunk. That's right dunk the scored Moonflower seeds in plain warm water overnight. While the seeds are soaking is a good time to apply some band aids to your fingers which you have probably scored also with the file.

The next day you can then plant the seeds. Some folks like to just stick them in the dirt where they will grow claiming the Moonflower doesn't like to be transplanted. I like to start mine in the yogurt cups then transplant them soon after they sprout. That is my traditional way for after all we are celebrating. And much like the Japanese Tea ceremony detail and form are paramount.

Now that the seeds have germinated they are planted out . I put this one in a ceremonial clay pot and mulched it with shredded newspaper . Remember attention to detail is vital.

There you have the steps recorded for a proper OEOAHS celebration commemorative Moonflower planting.

What, you have never heard of OEOAHS. You have never celebrated the Official End Of The Atlantic Hurricane Season. All I can tell you is a lot of folks from the South look forward to November 30 all summer long. Why, so they can breath a sigh of relief and plant a Moonflower.

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