Identifying and Harvesting Ripe Morning Glory Seed Pods for Saving Seeds

Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) are classic annual vining flowers that self-seed prolifically. Their trumpet-shaped blooms unfurl in the morning and fade by midday. But did you know you can save their seeds to plant more free flowers next year? Learning to recognize when morning glory seed pods are ripe for picking is key to collecting viable seeds.

The Life Cycle and Seed Development of Morning Glories

Morning glories grow quickly from seeds sown directly in the garden after all danger of frost. The vines can reach 10 feet or more by summer. Pretty bell-like flowers in shades of blue, purple pink, white or red appear in midsummer.

Behind each faded morning glory bloom, a rounded seed pod develops at the end of the flower stem. Inside, seeds are maturing. Here’s a visual guide to the life cycle:

• A new flower bud forms, enclosed in a tight spiral.

• The bud opens into a gorgeous trumpet-shaped morning glory bloom that lasts only one day.

• The flower dies, leaving behind a green bulbous calyx on the stem.

• The calyx swells into a round seed pod as seeds develop inside.

• The pod turns brown and brittle when seeds are mature,

Timing is everything when it comes to identifying ripe morning glory pods for seed saving. Pick too early, and seeds may not be viable. Wait too long, and pods may split open, scattering seeds.

What Do Morning Glory Seed Pods Look Like When Ready to Harvest?

Monitoring pods daily as they transition from green to brown is the best way to pinpoint peak ripeness. Here are telltale signs mature pods are ready for picking:

• Color dries from green to light tan or brown.

• The pod feels brittle and crumbly between your fingers when gently squeezed.

• Seeds rattle inside when shaken.

• The pod may split open slightly at the seams.

• A dark brown line forms around the middle.

• The pod readily separates from the vine stem when touched.

Ripe pods are usually about the size of a marble or large pea. Their oval shape resembles a tiny football. Sometimes multiple pods grow tightly clustered together.

If you’re unsure if a pod is fully ripe, carefully split it open and inspect the seeds inside. Dry, dark seeds are mature. Light, soft seeds need more time.

Techniques for Harvesting Morning Glory Pods

Picking ripe morning glory seed pods is quick and easy:

• Wait for a dry, sunny day if possible.

• Morning is ideal after any dew has evaporated.

• Snip off entire mature pods individually just below the calyx.

• Or crush ripe pods right on the plant between your fingers to dislodge seeds.

• Use a bag or container to catch falling seeds and pods.

• Spread the harvest out to dry further indoors for about a week.

• Separate seeds from debris and store in an airtight container.

Take care not to bust open unripe pods still growing on vines or immature seeds may fall to the ground. Focus only on plucking pods that meet the readiness criteria.

What to Do With Green Pods or Seeds

Sometimes weather or lack of time forces you to harvest morning glory pods before they fully ripen. Don’t despair if your collected pods are still greenish or seeds seem underdeveloped. Just take a few extra steps:

• Spread green pods in a single layer to dry out for about two weeks.

• Check pods and crush any that feel crispy to release seeds. Discard empty ones.

• Immature seeds may be lighter in color but can still germinate.

• Allow greenish seeds to dry completely for several weeks before storage.

With extra drying time, morning glory seeds salvaged from green pods often mature enough to germinate the following growing season.

Storing Morning Glory Seeds Correctly

To maintain viability of your collected seeds, proper storage is a must:

• Let seeds dry on a screen or paper plate for about a week after harvesting pods.

• Place dried seeds in sealed glass jars, envelopes, or plastic bags.

• Store containers in a cool, dark, dry spot like the fridge.

• Use seeds within 1-3 years before viability declines.

• Avoid humidity and warmth which encourage mold growth.

Follow these tips, and your harvested morning glory seeds should readily sprout into a glorious bounty of charming vines and flowers next season.

Admiring the Morning Glory Life Cycle in the Garden

Now that you know how to identify and pick ripe morning glory seed pods, you can appreciate the fascinating life cycle as it unfolds in your garden:

• Watch for flower buds to emerge and tightly unfurl into lovely blooms.

• Witness flowers fade in afternoon, leaving behind green bulbous calyxes.

• Observe calyxes swelling into round pods sheltering seeds.

• Keep an eye on pods turning brown and brittle as internal seeds mature.

• Marvel as self-sown seedlings emerge next spring from fallen seeds.

Understanding the entire sequence from flower to seed to seedling allows you to gain skills for continuing your morning glories, whether the classic annual vine or enchanting perennial species like Ipomoea indica. Simply collect those ripe seed pods!