I feel compelled to make a thread about this plant because I have tried to buy seeds for it from multiple sources and all these seed places must be getting the wrong seeds from the same bad source and I'm afraid this plant will end up being a myth because of this!

I think the problem happened when it was called "citronella" and now it's being confused as a plant that repels mosquitoes when I don't believe it does any such thing. The "citronella" is only a reference to the yellow color of the blooms.

Anyway, I'm trying to germinate the tiny seeds I was sent so I can see what is actually being sold.

So if anyone has seeds for this plant, they are probably worth their weight in gold right now!

But I'll offer a trade for some if anyone has any to share. I think some should be grown out so we can get the correct seeds back out there and try and combat all these sellers getting seeds from a bad source.

Bandita, I have grown seeds of this plant from multiple sources several times over the years. I have never seen any claims that it repels any kind of insect, and there is nothing about it that suggests it would, but I have never had any plants from any source bloom in that clean yellow color, and if you have a source for that, I would do handstands. Metaphorically, anyway.

It's been a couple of decades long quest for me. The blooms of the plants from seeds called Ipomoea lobata citronella always give blooms that are a slightly less red version of the usual species. They never morph into the all yellow version in your photo. I've tried U.S. and international sources trying to get the yellow/white version advertised. Every year, I sow it, always from somewhere different. This year is the first year in about twenty I haven't. I love the plant, but I give up. That yellow one is a myth.
Isn't it?

Ipomoea lobata



Ipomoea lobata citronella, or so they say

If you do a Google search for Mina lobata "citronella" you will find the descriptions I'm talking about where the sellers are stating the plant repels mosquitoes. Somehow they have it confused with a citronella plant.

Here's one-

https://www.ufseeds.com/produc...

So I ordered from here and got some tiny seeds that are definitely not any type of ipomoea but I don't know what they are so I sowed them in a pot. They haven't come up yet. I then ordered from another source and got tiny seeds again.

The yellow one is not a myth. I grew it ten years ago. Summerhill seeds were the only source of seeds and they no longer have them in stock.

They turned yellow as they opened.

Ronnie, I'm glad you can confirm its existence. I tried it from Summerhill too. They were the usual color. I've tried GEO, Plant World, Chiltern's and a score of others to no avail.
So, I am no longer giving up. 😂. You give me hope.

The assertion about pest control properties must be a relatively new one. Sources that make claims like that are likely unreliable in every way. Makes me think of something you would find on EBay or from an individual on Amazon.

I know the plant isn't a myth itself but I fear these seed companies flooding the market with the wrong seeds might turn it into one. Plus now there's all this misinformation out there about it repelling mosquitoes because someone unfortunately named it "citronella." Multiple places selling these bad seeds are now making this claim and the first seller tried to argue with me about it saying they have sold tons of these seeds without any complaint. So I'm just trying to counteract the bad info out there (hopefully!) with this post.

Someone on Facebook has grown it recently but she just thought hers was yellow because of the hot temperatures where she lives which I believe is in India.

Here's the photos from the person on Facebook that grew it recently-

That's way more yellow than any I've seen. 👀 Exciting!
I've never seen a reputable seller make the citronella claim.

poisondartfrog said: That's way more yellow than any I've seen. 👀 Exciting!
I've never seen a reputable seller make the citronella claim.

Some are fairly well known that are doing it. It's sad.

I found a site in Denmark selling the seeds. I wonder if they will ship to the US?

https://www.albinusfro.dk/shop...

The U.S. is not on its shipping list.

poisondartfrog said: The U.S. is not on its shipping list.

I saw that but I sent them an email anyway. Hope Google translate made it readable! I also emailed this website to see if they know where to get seeds. I'm on a mission!

https://loghouseplants.com/pla...

Also emailed here-

http://www.amazingflowerfarm.c...

Lisa

I'm having a great conversation from a nice lady at Amazing Flower Farm who now seems interested in helping me on my quest. She told me they were given the seeds by a customer so is going to ask that person if she still has any.

The place in Denmark said they wouldn't ship here, unfortunately.

I hope so Lisa
Doesn't look like I am going to get any germination from my old seeds

luvsgrtdanes said: I hope so Lisa
Doesn't look like I am going to get any germination from my old seeds

The lovely lady from Amazing Flower Farm in NH gave me the name of a wholesale vendor who might have it so I just emailed them. I won't stop until I find them! I pretty much emailed every place on Google that posted their own image of this plant. I'm not trusting any stock images at this point.

Maybe someone who has it will somehow find this thread which is another reason why I made it. Otherwise it's going to wind up like Scarlett O Hara and Ipomoea Tricolor Summer Skies-

https://davesgarden.com/guides...

Reminds me, I must grow out some real SOH this year for seed collection! I'm going to try and focus on more unusual types and keep them fairly separated to try and avoid cross pollination.

Lisa one thing I would do for sure is ask for a photo of the seeds!

luvsgrtdanes said: Lisa one thing I would do for sure is ask for a photo of the seeds!

Absolutely-been burned way too many times already!