I would love to know what I am growing here. Seeds came from a friend that said they were Moonflowers. I thought Moonflowers were large climbing vines. These are about 10 inches high now, looking huge but not vine like. I would appreciate knowing what these are and their growing needs. Sun, wet, dry, etc. Thank you.
Saltcedar: Are these noxious weeds then? Sounds terrible. Should I throw them in the garbage (not the compost pile)? No wonder they grew so nice. Ugh! Thanks.
Your call, in Texas where many plants fail in heat this one's a star performer. Just be sure your (neighbors?)kids/pets aren't too close. http://www.pcmg-texas.org/images/Datura.JPG
they're only an issue for pets/small kids if they eat the leaves. they are lovely plants and the flowers are phenomenal! they can get quite large (couple feet across and about as tall) and do best in well-draining soil in full sun. as saltcedar said, they LOVE the heat!
Joclyn: Are these plants annuals or would someone in zone 5 needs to overwinter the plant indoors? Also can they really grow that large in one year and when do they flower? I am curious as the person that gave me the seed is a plant fanatic. Thank you.
They can get 6ft across here in Texas, they will grow slowly if it's too cool. They are root hardy to zone 7b at least. Most people would collect seed in the Fall rather than Winter over indoors. In a container they would be much smaller. Flowering coincides with HOT weather.
any info i've found for them says they are annuals in zone 6, so that would apply in zone 5 as well. they're pretty fast growing and they should bloom by mid summer. everything is bigger in texas, so unless we get a very long heat wave, expect yours to get about 4 feet in diameter. well, maybe 5. a store i drive by on my way to work had some planted last year - mixed in with their yucca, which IS hardy here - and they filled in the area completely. it was numerous plants and the yucca are about 6 feet apart. so, taking into consideration their spread and the distance between the plants, the datura grew to between 4 1/2 and 5 feet in diameter. let me tell you - WHAT a beautiful sight when they were all in bloom!!
