additionally, i know purpurea need a dormancy period. here's an interesting question: how does one 'dormant' a seedling? they're so small still almost any movement would surely kill them. anyone ever encountered this before?

Hi PF, I'm already a bit ahead of you ;o). I have seed from "control" S. purpurea, purpurea and venosa as well just for fun. All I need now is some seeds from plants found in alkaline conditions. The plants do exist (found in waters surrounding the great lakes) and based on morphology they are "different". Whether it's the enviornment or a genetic adaptation, who knows? That's what I'm curious about. Might make a nice paper for someone since I can't seem to find any related studies. Alas, I'm just a hobbiest having fun indulging my curiosity. "I'd put money on it that a normal plant put in a high pH fen would live and look much like the plants already there," I'd say that's easy money for me ;o) I'll try it but we already have a pretty good idea of the outcome. Put a normal S purpurea in alkaline substrate and you get a dead S. purpurea :o( That's why I want to try it from seed. I think the "ph shock" of moving either adult plant would have an effect you couldn't easily control for. So far still can't locate any seeds.

Hi Amazin , sorry I'm new at this web stuff ( mostly just a lurker) and couldn't find were I wrote to you the 1st time ... me feel so dumb with this puter stuff... but yes I have 9 begonias and 6 are from Logee's, some are named and other are ( pass a along's ) ..... Named ones= Begonia " Richardsiana" B." Snow Capped " B. "Tea Rose" B. "Hot Tamale" B. "Good and Plenty " B, "Tiny Gem " B. " Silver Queen " The Richardsiana has in pass week took a big flop , and so not sure whats up with it , taken it back into house , hope it was just heat stroking from 100 + daze we have been in for pass couple of weeks here in nastyville , so not sure about it. Two other's unknown named ones but pretty just the same and last one I think mite be B. " Sophia Cecile " not sure. I see you have " My Special Angel " have been looking at it in the catalogs . sorry I'm so long winded.... but sure there must be something in your long list that we can work with . P.s. I wont make it to any plant swap so..... not sure how we would do this if we've a mind to ???? But thanks for your time and effort if thats the only way .

I would get several of the same plants. Leave some outside, take some in for added protection or simulated cool temperatures in the fridge/basement. That's pretty much about the only way you can figure out if your climate (or even microclimate around your house) would tolerate some of these plants living outdoors year-round. I did that kind of thing for 1 whole year. Once I figured out what was hardy or not, I now knew that in the second and additional years, I could grow my collection more and more based on the amount of care they needed from me. As much as we all would love more CPs and even different varieties, we have to figure out our growing capability with regards to the weather, too, as well as our time involved to care for them.