Thanks, beckygardener

I started with all of them in clay pots sunk in the ground up to the lip and mulched over. They'd been there since the first part of May. Only when I finally started transplanting some into the ground did they finally start blooming at all. There are some still in pots and some not. Mostly for me here, there has not been much difference because I think the sun, heat, and drought are a greater issue than the soil we've been using. Almost all of the places that I considered suitable in the beginning ended up having two much sun and the pots ended up getting put in another spot. That's why most of the last ones are planted now behind or underneath shrubs. The sunlight reflected off the sand can burn a plant planted in the shade. It really is the darnedest place. My mom said that she had to throw away everything she ever knew about gardening once she moved here.

We use a good rich mix. Two parts Suwannee River potting soil, one part Black Kow, one part mushroom compost with a little ash, homemade compost, and cut-up leaves mixed in. Since what passes for soil is pure sand here, I have learned to, after a long struggle, to almost completely replace the sand in the flowerbeds with my potting mix and mulch, mulch, mulch. The plus side is that there are no slugs, snails, pillbugs, japanese beetles, voles, gophers, or any pest worse than fungus and grasshoppers. The down side is that sometimes I feel like we're two steps above desert with just a little more rain (and Florida sandhill is only a step below Florida scrub which is comparable to a desert).

The only fertilizer that we use is an organic fish emulsion mix. We use manmade chemicals as little as possible. This has, though, been a marvelous learning experience. Next year, I know exactly where and how to start them out and I expect a much greater showing. I've only been gardening for five years and each year brings amazing progress. This will as well. Just wait and see.

Thanks again.

So sorry Shelley for opening MY mouth and inserting MY foot! LOL!

I didn't know the full facts on how you were growing your vines and thought that if they never got that big, that perhaps it was the growing conditions. My vines get quite large when I treat them like my most prized plants and baby them from seed to the end their life cycle. :-) But I do agree that the sun and heat sure do a number on these beautiful vines!

When did you start growing them? I can't remember when I sent you seeds. I do two grow-outs each year. I start in early Spring (March or April) and go until the first cold snap in late October/November. My ultimate goal for each grow-out of MG vines is to get blooms and then seeds. :-) It's all good when I achieve that! :-) :-)

You sent the seeds during the winter. I was lax in not getting all of my seeds started until late April/early May. Germination was excellent with almost every seed coming up within 3 days. Only Kohkan sat for three weeks before sprouting and it is one of the only two that have not yet bloomed.

I didn't mean to sound preachy; it is hard sometimes to not be discouraged. My mom has lived with us for the past two years and it has been a lot of back-and-forth because she'll say "do it this way" and I'll have to remind her again that what works in other places doesn't work here. We don't plant our veggies on a hill because a pit works so much better. Definitely not what I would think of as Florida, but there's nothing like a challenge to get you motivated to try harder! You provided what I needed to have - encouragement, guidance, and the seeds.

Did you see the photo with the orange mg? We actually have grass. There was nothing but sand and sparse weedy growth when I came...

I like your orange mgs.. ca you save me some of those seed pods? I wish I had some of your sand.. I have to go to the sand pit to get mine ( my sons' place)

And I wish for some clay. You know, I don't even know of any place to buy it here. You can get a dumptruck to spread on your driveway, but no bags to be found. I would sure mix some in if I did. I guess it's like the straight hair/curly hair issue. You always want what you don't have.

I'll be glad to save you some. There are a few seeds on it now, but it is just getting going. I'll have a lot later. It is very easy to pull up if it comes up here or there. I acquired it myself by accident in a hydrangea from my mom's house.

Shelley - Your grassy lawn looks great! That's an accomplishment to get grass to grow in Florida! And yes! You throw out all you learned from before in other states and climates when you grow here in Florida.

I have grass (and weeds) in my lawn. But plan to eliminate most of the backyard grass eventually. I want more raised garden beds and less grass to mow! LOL!