Someone mentioned Iochroma and it reminded me to ask about Datura.
Does anyone have success with keeping them year to year? I heard they are only supposed to be semi-perennial and often behave as an annual. Is this true? If so, can you take cuttings to contunue the following year?
I was very interested in the black currant swirl, mostly because Brugs don't have purple.
Datura
Karen, why not grow one, save seeds, and start over in the spring so you don't have a big lanky plant in the house or greenhouse all winter. I'm sure they have been held over, but I personally wouldn't waste the space. It is possible that some of the datura might come back from the roots in the spring for you in your warmer climate.
KarensTrumpies - First year for me to have them, I had two Hindu in pots and whacked them off as close to soil level as possible just to get rid of them since I had so many seeds. We had a few days of nice weather and they put back out.... after that I couldn't help it, brought them into Judy's Jungle for the winter.
From what I read, afterward, their cuttings will root just like daturas, but I don't have any personal experience.
Judy
I agree that they are best treated as annuals. They usually don't root very easily from cuttings, and a seedpod usually follows every flower so seeds are easy to come by. Even if they do manage to live through the winter here, they look terrible and flower poorly their second year. Even the daturas that have rhizomes (Datura wrightii and Datura inoxia) don't flower as quickly as the ones grown from seed.
Ditto,Good advice from both Ladies,just grow them as annuals,much easier on you.Dats are hardcore,and seem to like the annual cycle,unlike Brugs that need some kind of care year round.
Ok, so what is the best time of year to start them to get a nice summer of blooms? Jeanette
I think you are safe to sow them from January to March. It seems to me that I start my seeds in January and February. They take about 30 days to germinate - sometimes faster. Warmer temperatures seem to encourage faster growth.
LIVING IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS ZONE 8-B ONLY JANUARY & FEBRUARY DROP BELOW 32 DEGS..
I GROW MY DATURA IN BIG POT; OVERWINTER IN GREENHOUSE.
GOOD PURNING CONTROLS SIZE. PURPLE & WHITE BLOSSOMS ARE BLOOMING OUTSIDE NOW.
THIS SPRING I'LL PLANT SEEDS TO SEE HOW QUICKLY THEY BLOOM COMPARED TO THE OVER-WINTERED, POTTED ONE.
HAPPY GARDENING & MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR
Welcome to the Brugmansia and Friends forum, Sudie. I hope you will come and join us often. Happy Holidays to you and yours.