I live in zone 5b to 6a, and put everything outside during mid-may (harden off slowly, prior to that during the days).
And are there any secrets? Last year I didn't get a single datura to germinate.
When should I start my Datura seeds indoors?
Start them mid Feb. to the first of March. Bottom heat might help. I had trouble with my datura seed last summer, too. I think I only got about three of them to germinate and they didn't grow well. I believe it was just way too cool for them to really show their stuff last summer. Normally, I have bunches of them to throw away.
Thanking you! :-) My main concern was starting them early enough to get blooms during the summer.
I just hate to start them earlier because they tend to get leggy and I don't like that. I'm just hoping we have a normal summer next year.
Hi Karrie & Shirley, what if you wanted them as houseplants? But, you would probably have to put a good light on them to keep them from getting leggy? Jeanette
Shirley, how do you start yours? Last year I didn't get good germination and finally had some come up late in the season when I re-used the 'dud' pots. Then of course I didn't know what they were. Last time I looked, they were still growing in the yard and had not yet bloomed. They are sort of behind the gh and I have to make a point of checking on them.
LindaSC
From what I've heard from gardeners all over the U.S., it was a bad year for just about all of us. Cooler than normal temps, etc........ Last Spring was unusually warm, but then Summer came along and it was just now consistently warm/hot like we are used to here. I don't know how I got such a good crop of tomatoes, and don't understand why people down in the South are paying $6.99 per lb for them (especially cardboard store bought ones) (saw a thread in the recipes forum regarding that).
I hope this next year proves to be more normal - I'd like to see some of these plants (including my moonflower that never bloomed, just grew) actually do something.
Jeanette, I personally don't think they would make a good houseplant. They like it hot and full sun to do well.
Linda, I just toss a bunch of seeds in a dish of water for over night and then put them in a pot of regular ProMix and lightly cover. I have tried to keep them warm and I've grown them in the cool greenhouse and warm works much better. My best luck has been germinating them in the house under lights and then taking them to the greenhouse to transplant and grow on until setting them out. I don't know what was up with mine last year. I bought some expensive seed too, but it would not germinate. I had better luck with volunteers in the flower beds. I think I'm going to give up on them for a couple of years.
Are Daturas much like Brugmansias, but more bush-like and shorter? Will they hold over winter indoors like the Brugsmansias or do I just toss them each fall?
My experience with Datura is that the white ones usually are shorter and wider than the double white, purple, yellow, and cream ones that are tall and slim. That is how they grow for me, sometimes the doubles will get six foot or more tall. I would save the space for brugs and just save a pod of seeds from each one you have and start fresh each spring. JMO. A couple of zones warmer and I think they come back from the roots. Wish we could be so lucky.
I start mine the first week of January in jiffy pellets on a heat mat under lights in my "grow center" of the heated basement. Air temp is always 70 degrees and the heat mat brings it up 10 degrees for germination. Last year I started 20 seeds - 17 sprouted and every one made it to adulthood - all in bloom by early June. I just moved them up bigger pots as they grew - kept them under lights till April, then moved to sheltered barn window outside, then outdoors in full sun in May.
My seeds took about 2 weeks to germinate.
Diane Krny
Connecticut
I'm planning on having an "alley" of my Brugs on my covered but open front porch this summer. The porch covers the whole front of the house and gets the Southern sun. I will scatter pots of other plants, like Cannas, or annuals amonst them to fill in the gaps. They seem to like it there because it is very warm there, more protected, and gets shade off and on throughout the day to help them cool a little. I also have my lounger there, a stereo, candles, etc...... and of course books - it's where I relax, sometimes nap (people that drive by can't see me) and I would love to have the smell and look of the Brugs there. So the Brugs will remain in pots and the Daturas will go in other designated places in various gardens that get full sun, in the yard.
I can't believe my Isabella X seedling I planted last February is over 7 feet tall now - it's upstairs in the sunroom and has almost reached the ceiling. Those particular plants I just love - very tall, nice foilage and nice looking/smelling flowers.
As far as starting fresh each year, from seeds do these Daturas have to be crossed, like Brugs? I have several different types of Datura seeds and wonder if I should keep each type away the others.
Sounds pretty Karrie. I believe Dats are all self fertile.
Thanks for answering that question. I've been getting all these seeds for Daturas with specific names and wondered why! If my idea ends up looking pretty next summer, I will be sure to take pics of my "tropical paradise porch".
Ratty looking plant but it's about to bloom in the house. I started it way late, mid summer and it hasn't done much. I brought it in just to see if it would survive. After it got use to the temp change of being inside it stopped dropping leaves. I started fertilizing it a couple weeks ago and now it's got this nice bloom on it but the plant still looks awful. Maybe after it blooms the plant will fill out again.
Robin
Robin, the leaves look pretty healthy. The bud looks like it might be a double? The bottom "skirt" must open first? I don't know. Just looks like it. Jeanette
No idea as I think the labels all got mixed up when I first started them. Should know one way or the other in a day or so. Also the leaves aren't that great looking, kind of a yellowish tint to a couple. I fertilized it again this week, maybe that will help. I do think that after Christmas vacation I'm going to start some more.
Robin
Don't you just love it when you get the labels mixed up, lol! I am going to be so extra-careful with my labels this year. My main problem is when I go to transplant Brugs (or perhaps Dats this next year as well) that I forget to put the markers in the new pot or space. Diligence will be needed - and perhaps a brain transplant as well.
I've learned that the best label is one that is put on the brug with one of those nylon zip ties. Ones it is on, it isn't going to come off unless cut off. Just make sure it is left loose so the stem or trunk it is around has lots of room to grow.
I need to go and get some of those. I was sent some cuttings that had one per two cuttings, and have saved the one, and made a new marker for the other (does that make any sense at all? lol)
I also like to print the name right on the plant's stem.I think this is the biggest problem that I have had, trying to keep the labels straight. The ones that fasten on the plant is the safest way to go.
You always think you will remember which is which, and you don't!. Brugie's right!
Bonnie
And here I thought I was getting Alzheimers!!! Maybe it is contagious?? I'll bet it has something to do with these computers. Do you suppose it comes through the lines and out that little microphone on top of the monitor?
Jeanette
lol
I've started using alluminum tape on the pots for the little ones but I think once they have some size to them I'm going to use zip ties to the trunk. That sounds like a good idea.
Rob