cactusmcharris.... My NYC background has instilled a great deal of impatience into mt outlook on almost all things, especially now, that I just turned 62. I can't wait for nothing. If I strike out with one plant quest, i.e. Adeniums...I move on to the next...Cyphostemma juttae...both plants being equally ugly, fat blobs,...only one makes a pretty flower. : ) I'll still look for a good Adenium. This will be the first time for the Cypho. for me, and growing it can't be too much different than growing Adeniums. I wonder if it's a slow grower. I would have preferred to buy a larger-size plant, but I can't find sources. The succulent-cactus greenhouse at Wave Hill Garden, Riverdale, NY has a huge specimen of Cyphostemma juttae, and when I first saw the plant a few years back, I thought that the leaves looked like pieces of green plastic sitting on top of a huge, brown, lumpy caudex. Very curious. So, I was hooked, and now I just ordered seeds....but, I'm still looking for a larger plant. Thanks for the comments. Frank PS...does anyone on this forum sell off plants to make room for others? Contact me: fdvpiano@yahoo.com

I am not sure of maximum lifespan, but I have seen a couple of references to 20-year-old plants, so I guess they live at least that long if they're happy with their location. They are considered weeds by some people, so that might indicate a lifespan of FOREVER! ;-) They prefer cold areas, so yours might just be ideal. They are also said to reseed fairly easily, so you might collect some seed just in case you need to start a new crop in the future. If dried thoroughly, they probably freeze well. To start from seed, sow in fall outdoors (exposed to weather), or if starting indoors, pour hot water over them and let stand at least 24 hours until they swell, then sow immediately. If they don't swell, you may need to rub them on an emery board to create a spot for moisture to enter. Sue

Thanks for your response Caolyn, In general, the top limbs/leaves start to wilt/droop first. The next day, most or all of the limbs/leaves are droopy. At this point, the leaves and stems are still green. These symptoms are followed by the leaves and stems turning brown. At this point, there is still fruit on the plant, and it looks healthy. After awhile, the fruit tends to wilt. Typically, when I first notice the symptoms, I assume that it is due to lack of water. In most cases then, I deep-water the plant. However, the problems do not clear up the next day. Instead, they keep getting worse. I should add, however, that the temperature here up until just a few days ago has been 90 to 100 degrees for quite a while, with very little rain. I don't like to water my tomato plants. I figure that they will appreciate water more if they have to work for it. I didn't see any dark areas on the leaves or stems, but I will look again for additional symptoms tonight. Perhaps they do go from green to yellow to brown, but it happens pretty quickly, mabee three days. I compost kitchen waste, grass, leaves, shrub trimmings, small limbs, and so on. I very seldom burn or throw out anything that grows on my property. I have a big sweet-gum tree, and the gum-balls go into my "slow-composting" pile. Everything is eventually recycled into the soil. (Perhaps I have a nitrogen deficiency). Having said all of that, I just want to add that I still have some beautiful Cherokee Purple plants. They are caged, and about 7' tall. The tomatoes are big and juicy. Since I have a limited growing area, I want to plant tomatoes in the same spot next year. So, as I previously mentioned, if I can do anything else to improve the soil, I will. Thanks for your help. John

In addition to the issue of type - annuals vs. perennials vs. biennials - it depends on the method of propagation you are talking about. For example what does this mean: "the parent one that was used to retrieve the propagated one goes to seed and flower" There are many methods of propagation and the method used can affect the lifespan of the resulting plant. Plus various types of propagation require specific timing for best results. So are you talking about seeds from the parent, cuttings from the parent, root divisions of the parent, layering, grafting, etc.? Then there are all the other variables that can affect any plant's lifespan and performance - transplanting, climate, growing medium, nutrients and water availability, etc. "ive had many scenarios where the propagated plant's life is shortened compared to its parent and goes to flower right after transplanting" Then the odds are that it was a biennial or improperly propagated but would need to know many more details to be certain. Dave