Hi Nathan--

I have a friend here in S. Florida who grows and sells Schrebera alata. I think he collected seed in Africa himself. I think the plant will bloom sooner than five years; I have one in a three gallon can, about 3' tall, that has bloomed constantly for several months. I doubt it is more than two years old, though I don't know if it came from seed or cutting. Your toughest challenge will be keeping enough heat on the plant. (I lived in Portland for a couple of years; not enough heat for me, so I got out...) The plant will grow at least as far north as Santa Barbara, CA, maybe farther, without protection. Best of luck.