Cobaea scandens Cup and Saucer vine pack of 5 seeds

Cobaea scandens  Cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens) is a perennial climber native to subtropic regions of Mexico. It features thin, lightweight leaves and purple flowers that resemble the shape of a cup or bell, hence the unique name. This vine is a vigorous, rapid grower that can reach up to 30 or 40 feet in its natural environment.

Start seeds indoors in the winter, then move the seedlings outdoors after the final frost in spring. Although cup and saucer vine takes awhile to start blooming, its foliage will quickly create a screen, grow over an arbor, or cover an unsightly fence.

The plant has plentiful bright green leaves that are oblong in shape. The cup-shaped flowers are pale green as they start to open, but then turn purple or white as they mature. The buds have a somewhat unpleasant scent, but once fully opened, the flowers develop a floral-honey fragrance.

Cup and Saucer Vine Care

Cup and saucer vine grows so quickly that it’s usually started from seed rather than from nursery plants. Direct-sow seeds in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed, or get a head start on your seasonal garden by starting seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost in spring.

Sowing: Sow indoors in January to March or sow in September to overwinter in a coldframe
They will flower 20 weeks from sowing and if grown in a greenhouse will flower for 8 months of the year.
Soak the seed for two hours in lukewarm water before sowing. Sow the seeds into individual small pots containing good quality seed compost. Sow 12mm (½in) deep, setting the large flat seeds on edge and sticking vertically into the soil, thinly cover with compost or perlite. Cover the pots with plastic or cling film to retain moisture and place on a windowsill or into a propagator.
The minimum temperature for germination is 16°C (60°F) the ideal temperature is around 21°C (70°F). Make sure the compost is kept moist but not wet, watering from the base of the pot. Germination usually takes three weeks to four weeks.
Once germinated the seedlings should be moved to larger 12cm (5in) pots with stakes inserted so that the young stems have something around which to twine. Grow them on at a cooler temperature.
For conservatory or greenhouse plants pot on as the plants develop. For outdoor plants harden them off carefully and put the young plants out in the garden when the danger of frost is past