You can grow it as an annual or you can winter it over and keep it going. I grow them as annuals but have wintered a Black Currant Swirl over. Because of your short growing season you'll have to start the seeds early inside. They do well in containers but have erratic germination and do best when directly sown. Unfortunately if you direct sow them you might not have time to get blooms. I'd just soak the seeds in water overnight then start them in lightly moistened soil somewhere warm. I don't find bottom heat necessary. If you have a grow light use it once they germinate. Get them outside as soon as temps allow. Slowly aclimate them to full sun.

Hi Karyn,

I'm limited on space so I can't overwinter one. Nor do I have grow lights. But I am hopefully getting a mini-greenhouse from Charley's Greenhouse next spring. It's polycarbonate, so it would be a little thicker than plastic. If I plant them in the ground, could I cover them when there's a chance of frost?

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Here is a link that might be useful: Mini Greenhouse

The ground won't be warm enough but you could certainly get them outside earlier in containers with the greenhouse. If you have enough seed try starting some inside early and save a few to direct sow when it warms up. Sometimes they'll reach blooming size before the first frost. It's the Metel varieties that give me the most problems. Of course they are the prettiest with the double and triple blooms. Last season none of my Metels reached blooming size but the year before they were beautiful. Good luck.

Thanks, Karyn! I'm looking forward to planting my seeds!

I'm wondering then if that's the kind (Matel) of seeds that were sent to me. They're labeled Dbl Yellow Datura and Datura Triple Purple. No growing instructions or pictures of the flowers included. That's okay! I'll let my imagination run wild!

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Those are the Metels.

I start the seeds indoors all the time with no problem. Put them in now, keep them in really bright light, when they sprout give them all the sun you can, take the seedlings out on days it's above freezing. You can transplant them to bigger pots till you can put them in the ground. They really will grow much faster and bloom for you there. Ours are about 10' tall right now, never had one get that big before, they usually are around 3-4'. Annual for you, 1-3 years here on average. They are toxic so don't let the cat or kids eat them.

Good luck with them. They'll grow about anywhere in any soil, they are kind of a weed. But totally cool.
Tally HO!

Here is what you have o look forward to!!!

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/?action=view¤t=DSC03806-1.jpg

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/?action=view¤t=DSC03807-2.jpg

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/?action=view¤t=DSC03688.jpg

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/?action=view¤t=DSC03574.jpg

If the pics don't show copy the links to your browser. they are links to my photobucket.
That is enough to get your curiosity going, and your hopes up. Get those babies in the seed starters. Treat them just like you would a tomato.
Happy Gardening
princealbert

Maybe this one will work. I'm going to try 3 different types of links if one gets you into the photobucket acct have a look around the daturas have the trumpets facing upwards.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/DSC03574.jpg

{{gwi:591197}}

[URL=http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/?action=view&current=DSC03574.jpg][IMG]http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/1prince-albert/th_DSC03574.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

If one of these don't work then I'm lost.

princealbert

a yellow triple

{{gwi:591198}}

welcome to the brugmansia forum
princealbert

Princealbert, those are very nice flowers! From what I read, daturas are spreading, bushy or climbing (?) plants?
I'm interested in growing these just to see how they smell! I hear the fragrance is something else!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!

Brad AKA Moonwolf