Chris, Would you be interested in any kind of veggie seeds for a trade? I have lettuce, tomato, zucchini, canteloup, cucumbers, kohlrabi, radish, etc.. EPOP SASE. Please let me know. Thanks! Angel

arthurm, I meant how long would it take to develop an epiphytic orchid that can grow on its own here in Southern California. In other words...an epiphytic orchid that can thrive without any supplemental watering. There aren't any epiphytic orchids in Mediterranean climates (winter rain). So orchids that we grow outside year around are tested by our cool/cold winter rains. The more fit an epiphytic orchid is, the better adapted it will be. It will be able to take advantage of the winter rain and grow when other orchids will be resting. Over time the orchids will become fitter and fitter...they'll produce more offspring than the less fit orchids. It's a numbers game. The more orchid seeds we throw at Southern California...the sooner we'll find an orchid that has the combination of inputs/traits it needs to be perfectly adapted to our winter rain climate.

I like salvia regal. It likes the dappled shade and is very drought hardy. It likes porous soil so if you are in clay, you will need to amend it. It has a flush of bloom in both theSpring and Fall.Another plant that gives bloom and fall color is Oak leaf hydrangea. I have the orchid tree and it is in sun, a harsh part sun with shade in the morning and afternoon but hard mid day sun, no water, limestone hill country soil on a grade, and after this winter there was no die back and it was loaded with bloom. The soil is very dry here and a builder snapped it 1/2 foot above the soil when it was 2 years old. It is not big and looks like a bush. I bet it would be a lot bigger in town and a easier life.. I would amend the clay. This post was edited by wantonamara on Thu, May 22, 14 at 22:50

I'd love to try growing one from seed to test its hardiness in my zone. I have Texas betony, rue, and four nerve daisy seeds I could trade for it.