20+ Black Eyed Susan Thunbergia Flower Seeds- Beautiful Annual Vine- Thunbergia Alata----B157
20+ Black Eyed Susan Thunbergia Vine Flower Seeds- Beautiful Annual Vine- THUNBERGIA ALATA-B157
Black-eyed Susan vine known as Thunbergia Vine is a frequent sight in hanging baskets in many gardens. This vine is as easy care as it is charming. The flowers have an almost pop art look to them, with a solid center surrounded by a ring of clear colored petals. The flowers look daisy-like at a distance, but they are actually tubular. Five overlapping petals surround a brownish-purple center tube, masquerading as a center disk. Look at the flower from the side and you'll see how the center funnels downward. The medium green leaves are a little coarse and grow opposite one another. They can be either heart-shaped or a kind of lanced arrowhead shape. This plant climbs by twining up support structures rather than clinging with tendrils.
A very useful climbing annual vine for training on fences, trellises or for use in hanging planters and window boxes where they can trail down. Flowers are a mix of orange, yellow or white – all with a black centre. A very pretty effect! Self twining vines can grow to 2 m (6′) in height.
Botanical Name: Thunbergia alata
Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan Vine, Clockvine
Plant Type: Annual flowering vine
Mature Size: 6 to 8 feet
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Type: Loamy Soil pH: 6.5
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Flower Color: Red, orange, yellow, white
Hardiness Zones: Annual 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Perennial 9, 10, 11
Native Area: Africa, Madagascar, Southern Asia
Condition necessary for growing Thunbergia
Light: You will get the most flowers and the healthiest plants if you plant your Black-eyed Susan vines in full sun. The exception is in hot, dry climates, where growing the plants in partial afternoon shade is recommended.
Soil: Black-eyed Susan vine likes a fairly neutral soil pH, of around 6.5 and a soil rich in organic matter. When setting out plants, work several inches of compost into the soil, if it is not sufficiently rich to start with.
Water: Although the vines don't like sitting in wet soil, they also don't like being hot and dry. Aim to keep them moderately moist. Mulching around the base of the plants will keep the roots cool and moist, without fear of rotting.
Temperature and Humidity: Black-eyed Susan vine is only reliably perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and 10. Thunbergia alata is usually grown as an annual, although it has been known to over-winter in temperate climates, during very mild winters. Since black-eyed Susan vines are perennial, you can pot up a plant and bring it indoors for the winter. You will probably want to cut it back to a more manageable size when you do. You can also take stem cuttings and make new seedlings. Black-eyed Susan vines grow quickly once the temperature warms up.
Fertilizer: Black-eyed Susan vines are quick growing and bloom repeatedly throughout the summer. That means they will get hungry and will need a light feeding every four to six weeks, with a complete fertilizer, to keep them growing strong How to grow: Soak seed overnight in room temperature water then sow seeds in Jiffy 7’s – keep at 24 C (75 F) for the 14 day germination period.
Grow on under lights at a cooler temperature of 20 C (70 F) before hardening off and transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Seed can also be directly sown outside in late May after first soaking in a wet paper towel for several days. Self twining vines can grow to 2 m (6′) in height. A few hours of afternoon shade is very beneficial in hot summer areas. Keep evenly watered and feed with a water soluble 20-20-20 or 15-30-15 throughout the summer