I've been growing both moonflowers AND morning glory for three years. I've never had any problems with poisoning despite the fact that I foolishly refuse to use garden gloves, and I've had great success with growing them. Don't pamper moonflower seeds. Thats the problem a lot of people face. YES, they do take 10-20 days to emerge from the soil, yes, keeping them watered regularly is good (don't have them SWIMMING in thier own pot LITTERALLY), but you just need to give them TIME. Yes, they do well in good soil (not clay or gravel soil), but the reason they would rot is... 1. Its humid, hot, wet, moist, and the seeds are all forced to go through this condition... 2. You have maggots in your soil. I dare you to check and not freak out. (be careful when putting your seeds in soil. At least EXAMINE the dirt before you stick the seeds in them.) Another thing. Moonflowers, both the vine AND bush, are poisonous. Don't consume, and don't let your animals consume it either. Indoor animals shouldn't have a problem if you wash your hands after working in the garden. But if you have a neighbor's cat who comes to the back door like I have, and litterally has a police cat stake out on your porch, be careful about where and how you do your planting if you're starting seeds in a pot on your porch, or in your garden where the cat often roams. hope this is useful for those moonflower lovers out there... but you dont have to take my advice. I'm only 13. ^^

I was just wondering the same thing! I grew mine from seed this year and they didn't start flowering until late August and now it's getting cold here in MA so I don't think they will last much longer outside. Also, how do you overwinter you EEs? I am anxious to do this too since there are some amazing specimens at my local garden center on sale but I don't want to buy them and see them die next year.

Wow, such helpful answers - thanks everyone! Kayjones - thanks for posting the search link for me (don´t know what was wrong before; had no problem on other forums) - loads of great information. Thanks for the warning about the blooms being fairly unattractive when dead. Gerard - thanks for letting me know that they like heat and also for the great idea of having two vines. Now I just have to decide which one and think about the size of pot. Arum - you created such a lovely scene of porch-sitting bliss (even if we don´t have hummingbirds and even if I may be spending some of the time with my "sweetheart" husband trying to coax him into helping clear up spent blooms.... Wish I had had your advice before I started the seeds (only have 8!). I didn´t use the nailclippers on them but I did soak them overnight - just have to keep my fingers crossed. Cincinnata - great to make your acquaintance! Another English immigrant to Spain. I´ve been here about 3 years, have had a garden for about two of those and, before that had never gardened. I have made LOADS of mistakes but I am now really into this gardening mullarkey. I am going to research the vines you suggested (grew Thunbergia alata this year - semi-successful - but I think the ones you suggest are much sturdier plants?). I am attempting to start some Eccremocarpus scaber from seed. I am a big fan of flame colours (I mean reds, oranges, yellows) and also of white flowers. Scent is a very big plus but not essential. (BTW - totally agree about Cestrum nocturnum - better not too near the house.) Thanks again to everyone for your help Happy gardening and ¡Feliz Año (not very) Nuevo! Almeria

This is a follow up. The moonflower vines that I wrote about back in June have grown like crazy! They topped the five foot deck, grew all over the end of the deck, I was gone for three weeks and they covered my deck swing to the point that I had to prune them back. They are lush, thick, growing like crazy and not a single bud or blossom in sight. When will they bloom???? The two other vines in other locations, grew a bit and have been blooming all summer. Does anyone have any ideas as to why I am getting all vine and no blooms? Can I fix it? Thanks, Murphy