Hi PP, Thanks so much for the posting. Not moving, just sprucing up a rental. I knew datura is poisonous, so maybe not a good choice for my tenant who has a dog that she adores.... Dogs eat anything right? Sheesh. Maybe in the front, where the dog doesn't roam. If I plant some seeds this week, any idea how long they will take to flower? Here on the East Coast, I plant them now, and they come up the following summer late in the year from seed. I also start some in the house to get a jump on the short growing season here in 5a. Yes, I am aware that San Jose has a much different climate, you lucky dog! Everything grows there so well! I figure if I plant seeds in Pacifica this week, they may bloom by Christmas? If not, I guess they will come up when they are good and ready! Do you know anything about hardy hibiscus or Primula Japonica? Just thought I'd ask... Thanks so much.

Nigella damascena, lol. The first time I was successful growing it I was stunned at how pretty the blooms were. They're winter growers here so I sow the seeds on Thanksgiving along with Chinese forget-me-nots, larkspur, "Alaska" nasturtiums, Lathyrus sativus(azure pea), and a few others. Most of my seeds have to be bought and planted every year since it gets too hot here for seed production of these cool weather plants. For summer I really, really love Mina lobata, it looks like stained glass to me.

Gail - it really sucks that this forum isn't a bit more active. That has frustrated me for years! LOL This is my fifth year I think growing moonflowers and each year I want more production than the previous year so have tried different approaches with more or less the same result. The first couple of years I grew them along my front porch and they flowered nicely, but later than I preferred. In that particular location, they received only full sun during the morning hours. So, I figured more sun would result in more blooms. I tried another location with more sun, they appeared to put out about the same amount of blooms but I didn't enjoy them as much because of the location. So then I read you shouldn't fertilize... so I didn't... but returned them that year to the same location by the porch. A few in the ground, a few in pots. Pretty much the same results again. Last year I decided a full sun location, no fert, outside my back door. In pots, I tied strings going up the greenhouse. The only difference from this approach was that I was more diligent with getting them started earlier so they bloomed a bit earlier. Also, I then untied the strings from a couple of them before the first frost and moved them into the greenhouse. I got very few seed pods... less than I had in previous years. But, with the moonflower pots still in the greenhouse, I have new growth on the old vine, so I'm a step ahead this year. Also have some seeds sprouting in pots outside. Up to this point, I may have had up to 15 blooms a night for a few weeks. My goal is to achieve at least 100 blooms a night. The way things are going not sure how many vines I'd have to have for that. LOL Right now I have 12 seedlings plus the two old vines with new growth. As far as the seed pods, unless you get early blooms you may have a bit of difficulty for the pods to develop before the first freeze in your area. Here in NC, our first frost is around the middle of November and there have been times when they just weren't ready. One year I tried to cut off the pods and bring them in hoping they'll be fine but it didn't work out that way. The few that I harvested last year don't seem to be as vigorous as the seeds I just bought. I no longer fertilize or water generously. Plants in the ground or in pots seem to produce about the same results. I have never had any reseed themselves but am happy with the new growth on the old vine. Would you know if that vine is still viable? Hmmm.. I wonder. Would love to hear more specifics on your experiences.... whether you fert (could be why you got foliage and no blooms that one year?) how much watering do you do? Have you given much thought to why your blooms didn't appear to be as fragrant? When your first frost is expected? Have you ever seen any seed pods on your vines? What month do you generally begin seeing blooms? Good luck.. and hope you stop back in!

Hi Giacamo, those little green citrus sound like the 'calamansi' here in the Philippines. They are picked small and green, but if left on the tree they will go yellow inside, and eventually the skin will go orange - but Filipinos prefer most of their fruits under-ripened, or totally green! I've not been to Cambodia, but have been to Thailand a few times, and the climate here is very much the same. Minimum temperature I've experienced here was +24 C, and it felt really cold!! We do have lemon trees that grow here, but nobody knows what variety they are. I'll be buying one when I come back from Australia in February or March. I'd be happy to send you a few cuttings if your are up to grafting? Or some seeds, but there is a great risk they won't fruit to type, and you'll have to wait several years for them to bear fruit. As others have commented, for rootstock use local species grown from seed. e.g. Kaffir Lime. Seedlings of local species are the best in my opinion.