I got a blue-flowered datura baby a few weeks ago, potted it up slightly in an average to draining potting mix. I have been keeping it damp, in mostly sun on the deck., with occasional liquid fertilizer. I seems to be losing leaf color, and it tends to droop during the day, even when it is in bright shade behind other pots. Should I be worrying about this guy? Shift toward shade? Go drier? I have a potted, variegated Brug in the same conditions that is doing great.
Thanks for any and all help!
Peter
Datura care/
Yes, datura like it hot, full sun and on the dry side. They do best with out fertilizer, no tender loving care for these guys. But the variegated datura needs some shade, or the leaves will burn.
As baby seedlings would the no fertilizer, drier soil conditions and sun apply to ? How big would they need to be before those conditions apply? My seedling is maybe 2" tall.
Thanks, Cathy.
When I saw droopy leaves, I added water; but it may have been a reaction to the wter. I will let him dry out a bit. Incidentally, they sold him as an annual. I'm z7b. Should I plan on cool greenhouse in the winter?
Peter
This message was edited Jun 2, 2004 4:57 PM
Peter: I started mine from seed in January and they are humongous! You should end up with so many seeds, that there would be no reason to take up space in the GH to overwinter it. Some people have them come back every year as an herbacious perennial. Not sure about your zone. And, my Datura Tatula are heavy drinkers, but its extremely hot here now -- 100+. Gretchen
Yes, they are easy to grow from seeds. Mine were started late, but are now taking off. I think pot size, plant size and heat are all a factor in watering your datura. When my plants are mature and it's hot, then they do dry out everyday and need watered. But right now, here anyway, it's been raining everyday. So I haven't had to water much at all, except my large brugs. I am still planting up my datura, behind this year. They are beautiful when full grown, love them all.
Picturelady, I would only water the seedlings when needed. Are they in the house or outside?
Cathy
Cathy, They are outside in pots, in morning sun only!
Picturelady, in your zone, I think yours are in the right spot. But i'm not 100 percent sure. I'm in zone 6 so I keep mine in full sun.
My datura seedlings are in RW and I just realized that they hold alot of water...so I may have been over-watering them. I will have to watch that the RW is drying out too! I think they would just fry in anymore sun, here in CA.!
Margie, where i live is about 4,000' above sea level. if u know where Big Bear is... i am near the foot line of those mountains. anyway, i just throw Datura seeds on the ground. they are pretty much on their own. they are doing good in the sun. so far i have not 'fried' anything yet in several yrs of growing them in the desert LOL!
MVR....Maybe if I put them in the ground...that would be the answer....right now they are in little styrofoam cups!
They sound like my nasturtiums they wouldn't grow while I cared for them...with water and food....and now when I forgot they were even there...they are doing well and blooming! Sounds like that is what I have to do with these as well!! I always say, I have killed more things with kindness than by neglect!!
I think I will move mine into the ground in morning sun, and let him rip! I am already picturing all the seed! Anybody have pictures of mature plants?
u gals/guys are babying ur daturas too much LOL! they do not need that much care at all. they sure grow on their own... rather on neglect.... hehehehe.
Peter check these thread http://davesgarden.com/t/433894/ there are links on this thread of daturas i previously has grown.
This message was edited Jun 3, 2004 12:41 PM
I have a few purple D.s growing right now in pots. I went out to the Green Hut yesterday & they were all droopy. & wet!
I took them out of their pots shook all the soil off their roots & replanted them in a lighter mix. They were standing tall in about 30 min. I think If I had not gotten them out of that wet pot it would have been curtians for them. A lesson well learned. I also planted one out in my yard Mostly full sun, & it was droopy in the hot PM sun, but it has only been there 4 days now. It is planted in a very loose soil mix & avoiding watering it too much. It over came the heat & is fine. I wonder how long that "heat droop" goes on until it gets used to it?
