For the last 2 years I have tried to grow Luffa and never got an early enough start - even though I have set fruit twice. So I decided to start even earlier this year. And if I was gonna plant something, might as well plant several things.

Here is what I started today in my basement grow area:

Luffa Sponge
Grapefruit
Plaintain
Lemon
Key Lime
Clematis Crispa
Franklin Tree
Coffee Arabica
Chinese Magnolia Vine
Desmos Chinensis
Ylang Ylang Tree
Ylang Ylang Vine
Datmansia - cross of Datura and Brugmansia
Ornamental Cherry

First 72 of what will likely be pushing 2,000 this year.

So are you planning on moving your tender trees indoors each fall/winter; or will you be growing them under lights entirely in your basement?

I actually started 26 different daylily seed crosses yesterday. Was planning on sowing a few Ginkgo seeds as well, giving them a cold stratification, but didn't manage to get that done. Maybe today. On the daylily seeds I'm testing some from 2013. They would be approximately 2 years + 4 months old.

I usually don't sow anything else this early, but need to start making list and checking.

Kayleigh ...

WRT tender trees, I grow stuff:

to sell
for Bonsai
to trade

Some of the tender stuff I might allow to grow taller than Bonsai and keep it pruned back. Place outdoors in May.

I only grow under lights in my basement starting in the Fall. This year ~ October 12th or so. Biggest thing I have is a 7 foot Brugmansia which is still blooming.

I will likely end up planting 1 - 2 thousand plants. With my current set up, I can start 1,008 plants.

Regarding the Ginkgo - they do well winter sowing outdoors. Just pot em up, water in, place some where outdoors where they will be a bit protected, cover with several inches of leaves.

I grow them and have ~ 50 started in my nursery area outdoors. I have a business, Pony Express Plants, and sell at a Farmer's Market - Ginkgo is one of my better sellers.

Will be starting some DL seeds in next week or so.

I already have a pot full of Ginkgo seeds sown outside. I just want to try them indoors to see if they will germinate without outdoor treatment. And I should have remember about you selling things, and that potential with what you are growing. but I guess I wouldn't have thought anyone else in the area would want to mess with those things either that are not winter hardy.

My experience has been sketchy inside. And I have tried everything. Potassiun Nitrate, Gibberelic Acid, scarification - you name it. They will germinate without stratification, but germ rate has been < 50 % for me.

Re: me selling things - no big deal. It is hard to remember all the little details about members. And I have memory problems, so I really screw up at times.

I do not understand this:

"but I guess I wouldn't have thought anyone else in the area would want to mess with those things either that are not winter hardy."

I think I missed the part about Bonsai. I guess I was thinking who would want to purchase lemon trees, key lime trees, etc. and have to bring them indoors every winter. That was just where my immediate thought went to.

The Bonsai is for me. I started a few years ago and have ~ 15 in various stages - mostly quite small. But that is the point. Wish I had started 30 years ago.

I mean if you are selling them at a farmer's market to zone 5 folks as well.

IC

I doubt it counts but I have a three year old Geranium as a Bonsai ,, ( well you have to start some place ?
Whatever lives ,,

Another year or two, I may try to sell some Bonsai locally. But not likely at the Farmer's market. The typical person there is reluctant to pay 8 $ for a 4 Year old 4 foot Black Cherry or Oak. They would likely gag on my Bonsai prices that I would ask.

Most people go the little evergreen tray types , sometimes it goes , sometimes not , I usually play with Willows , your Black Cherry , similar , I have done a few but I am really not that good at that ,
Hope you get more to do with that ,

The reference to oak and cherry were to full size trees ** - not bonsai. Neither Black cherry nor most oaks are good bonsai candidates.

I sell ~ 30 - 40 varieties of native trees.

Okay ,, We have our moments of misunderstanding this evening ,

People also need to understand , it is not as inexpensive to grow , ball , and offer the trees as product asonce was either

And peeps around these parts are ignorant and cheap.

I am getting a little chatty at times (I always feel that way this time of year )
But you know , I am witting ,, The last time I looked at 4 ft Oak , it was like 65.00 ..
Lots of 35 to 45 dollar trees around here ,

So as far as being cheap ,, well most I could grow myself for that ,if and when patient enough ,,,

And that is my attitude as well. This coming season will likely be my last. Let them grow their own 4 foot/ 3 year old Oak and do it for $ 8 or less.

David -- seriously? people won't pay $8 for a 4' oak? Where do they think they can get one cheaper than that??

Yeppers. I sell ~ 40 types of trees and shrubs and the highest price is $ 9. I have told people on a couple of occassions who were rolling their eyes at my prices or giving me a hard time:

Me: "Well - you can always try Earl May or Moffets. That tree you see there for $ 9 will be 60 - 90 $. Or more. Or you can go buy the dead ones at Walmart or K-Mart for $29 - 39. Oh by the way - they won't have 95 % of what I have. Or try Home Depot, Menards or Lowes. They might have one or 2 of what I have and your price will be $ 39 - 49. Or more."

At times I have not been concerned if they were offended cause I know they are not gonna buy anything from me anyway.

Now mind you, this has only happened a couple of times over 3 years. And in those cases, I had been pushed over the edge by ******.

I think that would pretty much push anyone over the edge!