Has anyone had any experience growing these from seed? I managed to get about 4 started last year, but it took me 2 separate tries and numerous seeds. I have the same seed pack as last year, plus some new seed (different color) and of about 12 seeds, only 2 have germinated. I don't know that they need heat, or anything special, but perhaps I'm missing somethings. Any ideas? Otherwise, I might try the Deno method and see what happens.
Karen: The temperature in my basement where I start my seeds is 72 degrees. If I put it on the heat mat, it will go up to about 80. Do you think I should try that? I guess I don't have much to lose if they aren't sprouting anyway.
I've grown them before and all I did was stick the seed in the seed mix. Didn't use a heat mat or anything and they grew. I've only done them once so maybe it was beginners luck?
Here's a picture of a seedling, I might have enclosed the cup in a baggie for extra humidity, maybe that would help?
Only about 1/4 of my seeds germinated (and I did have them under a humidity dome). Not sure if was the seed or my technique, although I didn't have great success last year, either. I managed to get 4 plants started, so that will have to be satisfactory for this year.
A friend of mine has kept on going through the winter by rooting a cutting (!) Who knew? May try that at the end of this season.
I've brought the whole plants in for the winter and they will even bloom in a north window! Or you can take cuttings too. I had one for a few years that I pruned into a small standard. Mine were the Bella variety.
Your 4 plants will probably be great! What colours are they?
Hi, Steven: I've managed to germinate 2 of the Bella Yellow, and 2 pink (think these are the Bella variety also). Last year, I just had the pink and they were beautiful; can't wait to see the yellow this year! Thanks for the tips on overwintering these.
Heres a link with some more information and some picutres of the one I had. http://davesgarden.com/guides/... I had the yellow too, and it was beautiful! The one i had was more lemony. I think I'll start another one for this year!
Great photos--I loved the idea of training one into a standard!
What I found so amazing last year was how small these plants were when they started blooming--they literally were only abut 4" tall with those big blossoms. I was always afraid the blossom was too heavy for that tiny plant. As an annual, mine probably got to be about 12 - 14" tall.
Wow, I don't think mine ever made it that tall in one season! Last time I grew them they mysteriously died..........then I realized the pot had no drainage holes.... .......that wasn't my brightest moment but they were beautiful while they lasted. And I too like how they flower while still small, 'exotic' plants like that always seem to take forever to bloom!
Name: Terese Central Florida, (Zone 9b) Wisconsin Dells Area, zone4
I only scanned this thread.... but I tried them on a heat mat, still nothing.
Maybe i'll quickly WS some.
Last year, I was at a Flea Market with friends and he bought one... had no idea what it was at the time, so I looked it up for them [they are Sr's with no PC]
I also told him, at the end of the season, he can over winter it in his house... I never knew what they did with it until about a week ago. I was talking to his wife and she said it is stunning and full of blooms. I think he has the green thumb, because she commented he wont let her touch it.
I cant wait to see it again this summer.
He has the Yellow one... the seeds i have are for "mixed". I got them in a seed swap.
now i'll finish this thread... then maybe i'll get some seeds sown today.... COLD gloomy day here, but warm temps are around the corner again.
Let us know how your seeds do, Terese. I've decided that these are just rather slow to germinate and start growing. Once they get started, they are fairly hardy.
.......that wasn't my brightest moment 
but they were beautiful while they lasted. And I too like how they flower while still small, 'exotic' plants like that always seem to take forever to bloom!
