Raymondo, I am in Merced, and I grew a big pot of nasturtiums this year. To some extent, I had the same problem you did, but not quite so drastic. I started them off in a too-shady spot, where the leaves got enormous, but no blooms, so I moved them to a spot that got sun until mid-afternoon, then shade. They did much better there, although they didn't like it when the weather got really hot. Once the weather started to cool down a bit, and the angle of the sun changed enough, they started to really thrive, and they bloomed like mad (and still are, though the leaves are looking pretty ratty). Still, since they obviously didn't do too well through the middle of the summer, I'm going to try yet another spot for them next year - on a deck that has a climbing rose over it and gets dappled shade. I figure they need sun, but maybe a little less than they were getting. I love them too, and decided they are worth a little experimentation, in spite of the fact that everyone tells me they don't like the heat. Good luck!

I agreee with above poster, they don't like heat, but prefer to cooler seasons. Plant them where they don't get full sun, but with some afternoon shade in the hot season.

Mine die down in mid-summer and during frost, but I let them reseed (which they do prolifically) and grow again. They seem to be at their best in early spring-mid summer and again through fall-early winter.

wanda

It isn't air temp, but soil temp that determines it. Like callas, nasturtiums like cool soil. Once it warms up, they're history, even here in the coastal Bay Area.

Keep the soil cool, and they'll stay through July here. But that's pretty much the limit, even in a fully shaded bed.

I'm in zone 10. My nasturtiums reseed themselves, sprouting in the fall. They're just starting to bloom now. Perhaps try growing them during a different season?

Ruth

This afternoon I discovered that reseeded Nasturtiums are doing quite well in the east bed. It is my understanding that you plant Nasties and Sweet Peas at the same time.

Many thanks for the input here, folks. After reading your posts, I think I know just the spot to put them in next season!

I just ordered a packet of Jewel Mix Nasturtiums. Perhaps I'll try planting a few this fall and see if any make it through the few nights that get below freezing.

Best regards,

-Ray

I wonder whether my nostrutium survive this Houston winter or not. It has such a healthy foliage, in this December 1st week!

I too love nasturtiums, but haven't been able to grow them. I've planted them under shade, and some out in sun; they start out fine, and then die. I see them growing wild in others' yards and it upsets me that I can't grow them. Next year, I will plant some out in different locations and see which survive and hopefully reseed.

In Houston, they come up nicely but not so many blooms.

Let them have 4,5 hours of sunshine a day!

Let me see how they fare tonight, where the temps are in low 40s

raymondo try planting them in the Fall under a tree or somewhere they get overhead protection and they should handle the frosts better.