First and foremost, this is not a formal scientific study. There is no chance the results will get published in literature. Whatever information gathered will remain here (online) for anyone who might need it in the future.

What I would like to find out, is primarily how long it takes from seeding to flower to ripe fruit. I would also like to find out how common thorns are (as there seems to be some plants that are spineless and some that are covered in spines), and the rate of plant development (on a monthly or biweekly basis).

Participating in this study, would entail you having to mark down dates, and take monthly (or biweekly) photos of your plant(s). In addition, I will be asking for seeds from your first fully ripe fruit (I don't need all of them) so I can do this again next year and have enough to distribute. Ultimately, I am hoping that we might be able to select after a few years plants that will be capable of setting fruit in our climate (much like how Yvonne selectively saved seeds from her strongest Salvia each year). Granted, I know these sorts of studies and selective seed saving takes many years, if not a lifetime. Rest assure, should you be interested in taking part this year, you are NOT obligated to continue year after year. I will send you the seeds and will start a blog collaborating all the information I get from you for everyone to see (you can opt out of having your pictures on the blog, but I do hope I can have the values you give me up).

If I haven't already scared you off, please reply with your name down here, and email me. I will need you to give me your address. I am looking for people across the country, especially here in Ontario.

Sounds interesting.I made an arbor for climbing nightshade
in a shady moist spot and the results were amazing.
Do you think they would grow in this environment?
I'll have to post pictures of my creation sometime.

Kenny: I would be glad to help you out with your experiment. Always up to a challenge for a fellow gardener.Keep me posted. Ross.

Any idea of how big a plant this gets to be or if it needs sun or shade?

linnseed: this is a tropical nightshade species native to South America, and so will need to be grown in full sun.

Ross, thanks! I'll email you when I have the seeds ready.

swontgirl: it will need full sun. the information I've read says it can grow a maximum of 1.5m The leaves are similar to eggplant leaves.

This is the branch I have. I will be taking seeds out from the fruit once they begin to significantly wrinkle/shrink (they are feeling softer and one is beginning to wrinkle from where it is attached to the stem). The first batch of seed should be ready to go out by the 10th.

{{gwi:520992}}

Sent you an email. Please count me in.

sounds very interesting. I have sent you an email.

I would like to give it a try.

I would be very interested in trying out these seeds - how do I go about getting some? Sounds like fun -
Erica

This sounds very interesting. I would sure be interested. Will e-mail you.

I have south facing windows and can grow the plant south facing. I am emailing you my details.

Cheers,
Peggy

The first two fruits have been cut apart (see below) and their seeds have been washed and are in the process of drying. A germination test is being done, with 20 seeds from each fruit, sown between moist paper towel and kept warm using a Jiffy heatmat. Expected germination is in 7-14 days. Once there is germination, the seeds will be sent out.

{{gwi:520994}}

It's been about 10 days now, and seeds from two of the fruits have germinated. I will email everyone that has already emailed me tonight. If you are interested in trying, please email me ASAP so I can have your name down and get your seeds out to you.

I have sent you a PM but wanted to say I would be interested in trying to grow a couple of plants for you.

I've PM'd you. No message received yet.

Cheers,
Peggy

Very interesting. I am really wanting to be part of this experiment. I live in Saskatchewan, please send seeds. If you send me an email, I can send you my address. Thanks so much, looking forward to the whole thing. Yvonne.