Can anyone tell me how and where to plant moonflowers? We received some seeds from a friend and don't know what to do with them! We live in zone 8. Thank you for any help you can give us! Wonderful site, by the way!

From what I have been able to grok off the web, this tropical vine is slow to germinate and needs a sunny spot/warm soil.

This url is descriptive but has an annoying Santana soundbit in .midi.

http://www.moonlightsys.com/themoon/flower.html

Hope that this is useful.

John / Ecologicalsgardens

griciai, moonflowers are nothing more than a evening blooming morning glory. Except that they are twice the size of "Heavenly Blue" morning glory (which is the largest day-bloomer). They are pure white and release a scent in the evening that is magnificent! I pre-soak seeds (again, just like regular morning glories) for 12-24 hours in lukewarm water. This softens the hard seed coat and aids in germination. You'll notice there'll be a little crack in the seed coat after the soaking. Then just plant them right in the garden. No special growing requirements. Morning glories (Ipomoea's) are not finicky. In Z8, you could start just about now. I'll plant both types of glories side by side near a trellis so that, when they start climing and blooming, the morning bloomers do their thing, then close up right before the moonflowers kick in and put on their show. At dusk they stand out like huge, white Christmas lights. I also plant some near my terrace, so that if we're outside at night, we get that perfume-filled air from the moonflowers. Beautiful! Good luck!

You took the words outta my mouth, so I just post to back you up. Any time now, you can soak 'em overnight, cover them with about 1/2" of soil, & they'll come up in their own good time, just about the time you've decided that they won't,...just like morning glorys. Never fertilize them; water ONLY if they look terribly droopy, & pick off every third leaf or so to let in more light so that they will bloom more prolifically if you have them planted thickly together. Easy & lovely & the perfect companion to twine with morning glories.

Oh, do plant them!!! Moonflowers are wonderful!!!
Like the others mentioned, I first tried planting them only for companions to Morning Glories ... since Morning Glory blossoms close up so early, I thought it would be nice to have an evening bloomer alongside them. Now, I enjoy the Moonflowers the most! The scent is so beautiful. Just be sure to give them enough room to grow ... up, up, up, LOL ... mine far outgrew the 10' tee-pee I gave them, should have believed the seed packet that said 12-15'. ;o)
Enjoy!

lindap, thanks for the backup! BTW: Thanks also, for the great hint on pinching off every third leaf to let in more light and promote more blooms! Just goes to prove that there's always something new one gardener can learn from another gardener. Thanks again!