Seedlings!

Although the last few days have been a bit wet, this summer has been quite warm for Calgary.  Most of my seeds have already sprouted.  I'm still waiting on my banana and banana cousin but they can be a little finicky and often take a while.  I've been putting the pots outside on my balcony during the day and bringing them in for the nights.  It gets cool here in the evening and temperatures drop to about 12C some nights (or cooler) even though the days may be 28C or so.

Unfortunately I have them all a good soak right before we had three days of rain.  Most of the seedlings seem to be fine but I'm worried the Goji berries may be damping off.  Hopefully they'll dry out before I loose any more.  By the way, all of these seeds were stored in a fridge for over 4 months.  It doesn't seem to affect their vitality.  Anyways, without further adieu, here are the seedlings:

Eucalyptus pulverulenta (Silver Leaved Mountain Gum) - Most sprouted.

Brugmansia versicolor (Fragrant Peach Angel's Trumpet) - 1/5 I believe, just started yesterday.

Passiflora caerulea (Purple Passion Flower) - About 1/2 have sprouted.

Lycium chinense (Goji Berry) - Please don't damp off, please don't damp off...

Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) - Here's to hoping it's not just a stray poplar seed.  Ha hopefully I see some more.

Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) Sprouts

I am super excited about these seedlings.  The plant they'll grow into is absolutely gorgeous and covered with flowers.  I ordered these Echium candicans a few months ago.  They arrived quickly but I decided to wait until close to spring to start them.  The seeds were left in the fridge for weeks in a plastic bag with no special care taken.

About a week after planting the first sprout poked through the soil.  You can probably tell it was the one in the middle which is much larger than the rest.  Since then another seedling has sprouted every few days.  I love that the photo shows the seedlings at all different ages including the purple markings on the seed leaves.  I originally had 10 seeds and so far 8 have sprouted (I accidently killed one while trying to move it because one cell had two seeds).  I really can't complain with 80% germination.

I'm thinking the largest seedling can probably go another week or so before it needs to be transplanted.  Echium like well drained soil so I've been very careful not to overwater.  I usually wait for the soil to look dry on the surface and water each cell individually.  I may be able to force the first flowers this year but generally this species of Echium doesn't flower until it's second year.

Black Iris Sprouting!

My black iris (Iris chrysographes) is sprouting!  I planted five seeds but this is the first, and hopefully not last, to sprout.  I kept the seeds in the fridge in moist paper towel for about a month to stratify them.  After planting this one sprouted in about two weeks.  This variety of iris is semi-aquatic and can't be allowed to dry out as a seedling.  Hopefully within a year or two I'll see the first flowers.  Growing things from seed sure takes time!

Pomegranates Sprouting (Punica granatum)

Pomegranate's are one of my favourite fruits.  A few days ago I realized that this is one of the few plants I haven't tried to grow from seed.  After eating a large fruit I saved about a dozen seeds.  I made sure to clean each one well, washed them, then let them dry for about a week.  Next the seeds were soaked for about 24 hours and planted in a general mix at about 23C.  Within about a week, these sprouts are coming up.  Allegedly pomegranates are easy to sprout so I expect to see most of them germinate.

The local greenhouses have the dwarf cultivar which only grows to 2m (6') or a max of 1m (3') or so in a container.  The fruit of these dwarfs is about the size of a golf ball.  Although I intend to keep my plants in pots, I wanted something that gets bigger and would produce larger fruit.  Maybe I'll actually see some in a few years.  Only time will tell.

Cassabanana Seeds Sprouting (Sicana odorifera)

I received my Cassabanana seeds a few months ago but decided to wait a few months before sowing them.  I stored them in the fridge for about two months and amazingly I've had 100% germination!  I soaked them for five days before planting.  I actually forgot about them and was worried they'd end up drowning but I guess it ended up being perfect. They were soaked at room temperature then kept at about 24C. The roots are already almost to the bottom of the pots (about 15cm) so I get the feeling these are going to be some extremely quick growing plants.

Here you can see them two days ago, just starting to break the surface:

Today you can see that 9/10 are fully vertical with open leaves and 1 is still on the way up (hidden in the farthest pot behind another seedling). I'm thinking these will need to be transplanted within two weeks at most.  I might have to pot them up at the local greenhouses just to make sure they have enough room.

Now I have no idea if I'll ever get fruit from these.  They need a long growing season and although we have warm, humid summer in south-western Ontario the season isn't long enough.  I'm hoping I'll see some by starting them this early so hopefully I'll have at least one fruit by the end of the summer!

Happy Halloween! Germinating Nepenthes rowanae

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-UlGhNnbYlm8i73AFA66MYVycgX9m8HrrUJ7Ga9NdLVuWEEhKcKBeVBorlwLb8agbS5Ld9SFFYqy8VWwAkjGchxokuupOVuiEd2ZzP0SlYh4Fjv8PXzqKHL-g26E0B30_jbZMTwcVL0/s1600/P1210991.JPG

    In honour of Halloween, I saved this carnivorous pitcher plant for last germination post.  In the background of the photo you can see what the actual plant looks like.  It should grow up to 1m tall and produce dozens of little red pitchers which are about 20cm long.  I've always wanted a pitcher plant and in a few months could have one of my own.

    These seeds may be the most difficult of all my purchases to germinate.  They should be sprinkled on sphagnum peat moss, ideally living moss if possible.  Seeds should be kept in closed containers, placed in bright light and kept at 30C.  Germination can take months and possibly up to a year.  I sure hope these ones are worth it!

    Happy Halloween everyone!

Germinating Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera)

Source: http://zoom50.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sicana-odorifera.jpg

    This is one interesting melon.  The fruit can reach over 60cm in length and may be black, brown, orange or deep purple.  The centre of each fruit contains a large number of seeds.  These are surrounded by fleshy melon that tastes similar to cantaloupe.  The vines themselves are vigorous perennials that grow up to 15m.  They can be grown as annuals in climates with cold winters (like mine).  They thrive on heat and may grow relatively slowly until summer comes.

    I'm planning on starting them inside for the winter, then planting them out in the spring.  In the fall I'll cut back the vines, dig them up, and bring them inside for the winter.  I have no idea if they'll survive this kind of trauma, but I figure why not try?  I expect to have fruit by fall next year.

    The seeds should be soaked for a day or less prior to sowing.  Plant them about 2cm deep and they should begin sprouting relatively quickly (within less than a week).  People recommend starting them 1 to 2 months before you plan on planting them outside.  I however will probably plant them immediately upon receiving them because that's how I roll.

    I saved my carnivorous plant for last in honour of Halloween.  It's a pitcher plant of the species Nepenthes rowanae.

Germinating Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)

Source: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fmDrOq-pOtg/TfDMpSj-k3I/AAAAAAAAAAA/LY5yTSTMBoc/5617086591252984068.jpg

    I'm a huge fan of rare/strange plants.  I've always liked black flowers but this will be my first plant that actually has them.  After going through a bunch of photos I'm convinced that the flowers should be very dark.  Some are lighter and more of a deep purple, but most really are dark enough to be considered black.  This is actually a plant I can leave outside all year.

    Iris chrysographes prefers fertile, moist soil.  Young plants should not be allowed to dry out.  Seeds must be kept constantly moist.  The easiest method is just to sow about 1/5cm deep in moist compost in the fall.  Leave the outside all winter and they should sprout in the spring.  They are rated for USDA zone 4.

    Otherwise, you can stratify them in the fridge for two months in moist paper towel sealed in ziplock bags.  The seeds need these cool temperatures and may actually germinate in the fridge.  Plant them in pots as they germinate or after the two month period.  There's actually a cool greenhouse at the local university that may be perfect for starting these!

    My next post will be on a melon.  This might seem normal, but it's not just any melon.  It's the Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera).

Germinating Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

Source: http://www.travelinlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_0087.jpg

    Hurray, another fig!  Now what attracted me to this fig?  Could it have been the incredible roots?  Maybe it was the lovely smooth bark.  Then again it has edible figs and can easily be trained into a bonsai.  Seems like a great combination of traits to me.  Clearly I just had to have one.  Also yes, I do expect to have one get this big and take over a greenhouse somewhere...

    The tree in the photo above is actually located in California.  Ficus macrophylla are rated for USDA zone 9b and can grow to a height of 60m with a similar spread.  Once again I intend to use my ficus method for germination.  I'll just fill some plastic take out containers with a seed starting mix.  Then I'll sprinkle on the seeds, put the lid on, and leave in a southern window until they sprout.

    Tomorrow I'll break with tradition and actually post about something hardy in my zone (USDA zone 6), Black Iris (Iris chrysographes).

Germinating Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Source: http://img4.sunset.com/i/2006/09/beachss-ss1-l.jpg?400:400

    This plant is absolutely gorgeous!  Need I say more?  The picture above summarizes it nicely.  Most people are more familiar with Echium wilpretti which has red flowers.  These are striking, but grow larger and don't tend to branch into the attractive plant that the blue species does.

    As the name suggests, this plant is native to the island of Madeira.  This is owned by Portugal and located off the coast of Morocco.  It's tolerant of coastal exposure and salt spray but requires well drained soil.  These Echium typically reach a height of 2m and bloom in the spring.  They can take freezing temperatures and are considered hardy to USDA zone 9a.

    Seeds germinate readily and most should have sprouted within 2 weeks.  They should be sown in a well drained potting mix, about 1/2cm deep and at room temperature.  Plants establish themselves the first year and then reward you with flowers thereafter.  If stressed they may only last two years but are generally considered a perennial.

    Now for another Fig, the Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus marcophylla).

 

Germinating Velvet Pink Banana (Musa dasycarpa formerly Musa velutina)

Source: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/musa_velutina2.jpg

    The lovely Musa dasycarpa really stands out for me.  There are other bananas with pink flowers, but this one also has bright pink fruit!  Better yet the fruit is very sweet and edible, although filled with seeds.  This species is also more cold tolerant that other bananas.  It's definitely not the hardiest but can survive temperatures down to -12C (USDA zone 8a).  It even stays relatively small and only grows to about 2m in height.

    This species was originally referred to as M. velutina.  It was thought to be discovered in 1875 but it turns out it was actually described 8 years earlier in 1867.  The first person to discover/describe the plant generally gets the naming rights, so the proper name is Musa dasycarpa.

    This is the second species that I've tried previously but couldn't get to germinate.  I think the issue was heat.  I have found a lot of conflicting information on germinating these bananas.  I'm going to try using moist compost and planting each seed about 1/2 cm deep.  Allegedly they like temperatures between 21C and 25C with a day/night fluctuation.  People keep recommending this but if they're not getting results I don't know why they still try it.

    There are other theories that seeds from bananas that ripen in warm weather germinate quickly (2 weeks) with heat. Those that ripen in cooler weather germinate more slowly (2 months) and heat doesn't help.  The seeds I ordered would have been collected in the summer.  I've always had luck germinating bananas with heat so that's what I'm going to try.  Wish me luck!

    The next species up is Pride of Madeira (Echium fastuosum).

Germinating Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens syn.? Caryota maxima 'Himalaya')

Source: http://www.banana-tree.com/SiteData/Products/Caryota%20urens.jpg 

   To be honest, I was hoping to get Caryota mitis.  This is a smaller species that tends to grow in a dense clump.  Unfortunately the supplier was out at the time I ordered so I went with the larger, non-clumping Caryota urens.  I actually find C. urens to be more attractive, I just worry it will be much more difficult to control and will grow too big, too quickly.  Then again I love fast growing plants so I'm not sure why I'm complaining.  It seems to be more widely known as Caryota maxima 'Himalaya' and the alternate name Caryota urens originated in California.

    Although Fishtail Palms can grow to 20 or more metres, in most of the photos I've seen they've been 10m or less.  These plants are interesting in that they're monocarpic.  After flowering, the entire plant dies.  They may grow for a few decades before this happens.  In some cases the stress of a transplant will send mature trees into flower.  I'd expect the earliest the would happen would be 8-10 years, although I can't confirm this.  I've also seen some sources claiming they flower yearly and are not monocarpic.

As far as I can tell, both Caryota urens and Caryota maxima are different species.  Unfortunately in some areas the names are used interchangeably.  I'm not entirely sure what species I have due to the interchangeability of the names.

Flowering, source: http://www.hear.org/starr/images/images/plants/full/starr-031118-0060.jpg

    This is a relatively easy plant to grow from seed.  Fresh seeds don't need to be soaked or scarified.  I actually received mine already. They seemed a bit dry so I soaked them for three days. Next I rinsed them for about a minute in a solution of vinegar and lemon water to help kill fungus spores. They are currently sitting in a warm location wrapped in moist paper towel in a plastic container. As they sprout I'll plant the seeds about 2cm deep in a sandy seed starting mix.  Room temperature is alright but the seeds can take up to a year to germinate (2 months is expected) and extra heat will help.  It might be good to disinfect the seeds with a fungicide if you have it and use sterile mix.  For long periods like this, rotting is much more of an issue.

    Monday's post is on the Pink Velvet Banana (Musa velutina).

Germinating the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata)

Source: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2276410498_ac3cf490ca_b.jpg

    So I'm sick today. I have a really sore throat and runny red eyes. There's been a cold going around for weeks and I think I finally have it. I'm going to take it easy today so hopefully I feel a bit better by tomorrow. At least I have my blog to keep me busy. :)

    This is one of two plants I ordered, that I've tried to germinate previously.  For some reason the last time I tried, I didn't get a single sprout.  I'm not entirely sure what happened but I'm thinking I didn't keep them wet enough.  Figs are definitely one of my favourite genus of plants.  The species are very diverse, vigorous, adaptable, respond well to pruning and almost always make attractive plants.  I love that Ficus auriculata has huge leaves and produces large numbers of figs that taste similar to strawberries.  If it isn't obvious already, figs are also some of my favourite fruit!

    I have found the easiest way to germinate any species of fig is to fill an old sushi or Chinese food tray with soil and sprinkle the seeds over the surface (seeds are extremely tiny).  Most figs need light to germinate so be sure to put them in a south or west facing window.  Keep the seeds relatively moist but not wet.  They can take a tonne of water when older but damping off can be a problem for seedlings.  Then just put on the clear lid that came with the food tray and wait.  Within less than a week the first sprouts should appear with a very high germination rate after a week.  Room temperature is fine for the first few weeks, but ideally give these plants some heat and they'll grow like crazy!

    Tomorrow I move onto the Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens).

Germinating Pandanus fascicularis (Screw Pine)

Source: http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/04/2500/2091.jpg

    Unlike the name suggests, Pandanus fascicularis is not a pine at all.  If you have ever looked up Pandanus before, you'll know it develops these fun, completely straight above ground roots.  The trees tend to look like they'be been propped up by sticks.  That alone was enough to spark my interest in this plant.    I wanted to show the entire plant so unfortunately the picture I chose doesn't show the root potential.  Google it!  It's delightful, I promise.They are already commonly grown as houseplants so I figured why not give them a try?

    The seeds I ordered are for Pandanus odoratissimus.  This doesn't appear to be an actual species and upon looking it up, may refer to P. tectorius or P. fascicularis.  I found out P. tectorius is usually grown on small ocean throughout the Pacific.  P. fascicularis on the other hand is grown inland in regions of India.  The seed supplier is from the same region of India so I feel it's safe to assume this is the species.

    At first I was disappointed.  I can be kind of picky and had my heart set on P. tectorius ever since seeing it on the show Survivor (don't judge me :) ).  I was very happy to find out that the species I have may be even better!  The leaves are edible and can be chewed on or used to flavour food (be careful of the barbs though).  The male flowers are beautifully scented and used to create perfumes.  Even the fruit is edible although I'm unsure if it's palatable.  Overall, I'm very excited about this purchase!

    Each seed should be given it's own pot because in some cases three plants can sprout from the same seed (sometimes up to 8).  Pandanus sp. do not like wet roots!  They can rot very quickly so ensure the starting mix is well drained.  This being said, soaking for 1-5 days seems to improve germination, but change the water daily.  Room temperature appears fine, but I would recommend 25C+ if possible.  This is because germination can take a long time and will be sped up with some heat.  Expect the first sprouts within a month but they could take up to half a year.

    Next up is the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata).

Germinating Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum syn. Cyphomandra betaceum))

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBZ8iw6n2XNe5cw00T3BILBop0u0XCtEOyRKkClPjGQeV0_DQaWlTE6ZiTVsbgpqaDjkSTH9p7JRWbYS99QtpnspqJjQUHvxwE18anTfloKwljkutgH4iWUlrDegBWJQ_pYE-U-9JMO8/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG

    Now for a plant that most people should know, the tamarillo.  I've wanted these seeds for three main reasons:  I love tamarillo fruit, I'm fascinated by fast growing plants, and I am partial to plants with big leaves.  I'm actually surprised I've waited so long to get these seeds.  I was hoping to find some in local grocery stores and markets but I haven't seen any recently.

    The plants are short lived and may only last 5 years or so.  Tamarillos seem to appreciate cooler temperatures with an ideal median of about 18C.  They're adaptable but I'm a little worried it may get too hot for them here.  I tried to grow a Chayote which likes similar temperatures is it was often wilting by the end of the day in the summer.  I think tamarillos will prove more adaptable and be alright as long as enough water is available.

    This is an extremely easy plant to grow from seed.  Room temperature is completely fine and plants may even sprout at 15C or lower.  You can start it like you would any garden vegetable, so just use whatever method has worked for you to sprout tomatoes, lettuce, etc.  A general potting mix with consistent moisture and bright light are perfect.

    Next comes the Screw Pine (Pandanus fascicularis).

Germinating Colville's Glory (Colvillea racemosa)

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedeZiNxlf3c9ygwaxfpzDMcmxluiG940cuhXYcq_0EoYhxrZK4C5ilY4PjhBCxwqJoGwIZrXk-p45gvB83hD-yOzgDMiSdHt1mGxwz7uyQvufVGiFVWwWMeWVpWZXlCFrGHbBkWEBKS8/s1600/Colvillea_racemosa+1.jpg

    Unlike most of the other seeds, Colvillea racemosa (Colville's Glory) isn't a plant I've wanted for a long time.  In fact, I had no idea the species existed until a few days ago.  I just couldn't resist after seeing the amazing flowers!  It's actually related to the Royal Poinciana but much allegedly much rarer.  I'm not sure if this is entirely true because the wiki entry lists the plant as low risk for conservation.  Maybe just rare in cultivation?  Regardless it's beautiful and I would love to one day see the flowers.

    The tree is native to Madagascar and the minimum zone suggested is USDA zone 10.  As a general rule it will not grow well with average temperatures below 20C and prefers a dryer environment.  This would limit the growth period to only a few months in the summer in Southern Ontario.  The only way I can keep this plant happy is probably not to keep it!  I'm thinking I'll just donate the seedlings to the local university greenhouses.

    The seeds should be scarified but don't have to be soaked (soaking a few hours regardless won't hurt).  The seeds should be kept between 20C and 25C so room temperature should prove to be fine.  A well drained seed mix is highly recommended.  Keep the seeds moist but not wet and you could see sprouts as soon as two weeks, possibly even earlier.  Many won't germinate for a month and could take even longer.

    Now I'm not entirely sure I'll be receiving this tree.  It may have been switched for Royal Poinciana which would actually be easier for me to grow.  I guess I'll find out when the seeds arrive.  Tomorrow I post about the Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum).

Germinating Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

Source: http://antranik.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Jacaranda_mimosifolia.jpg

    The next species up is the lovely Jacaranda mimosifolia.  I have wanted to start these seeds for years and I'll finally get my chance.  I ended up getting a ridiculous amount: 100 seeds.  To be fair the pack only cost $2 so if anyone wants to trade for the extra seeds I may just have them!

    When making my plant selections I generally look for trees that can be grown as bonsai.  If you can grow a plant as a bonsai, it can clearly take some abuse and be trained to remain small.  However Jacaranda is one tree that may prove a little more difficult.  It doesn't like to remain small and when pruned often responds with vigorous vertical growth.  This might be ugly for a bonsai but could result in a nice, densely stemmed larger plant.  I have no idea if I'll ever see any blooms but my ultimate goal is to get my plants to flower.

    People suggest soaking the seeds for 12-24 hours prior to sowing.  Many sources state light as important for germination but I have also seen reference to buried seeds germinating.  I noticed a posting in a forum suggesting the best temperature was found to be a consistent 25C in a Brazilian study.  Overall the seeds should be easily germinated in any seed starting mix.  I'll probably experiment and try burying a few, while keeping others on the surface.

    The next species up is Colville's Glory (Colvillea racemosa).

Germinating Brazilian Tree Fern (Schizolobium parahybum)

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Schizolobium_parahybum.jpg

    The first species I'll be posting about is Schizolobium parahybum (Brazilian Tree Fern, Tower Tree, Brazilian Fire Tree).  Now to clarify, there also appears to be a Blechnum that is called Brazilian Tree Fern.  This is not the plant this post is about.  The plant I've ordered does not display any red foliage and is not a true fern.  As you can see in the above photo, it looks very similar to a tree fern when young.  As it ages, the stem begins to branch and the plant eventually grows into a large tree, covered with yellow flowers each spring.

    Now clearly my trees will never get this large because Schizolobium parahybum are by no means hardy in USDA zone 6 (minimum USDA zone 9b).  I'll just keep them in pots and bring them in for the winter.  I don't expect any flowers just small trees possibly with a few branches.  They enjoy heat and humidity and the summers in South-Western Ontario should suit them nicely.

    Most sources say this plant is easy to grow from seed.  Each seed should be scarified and soaked in water for 4 hours.  The seeds should then be planted 1-2cm deep in well drained soil.  They should be kept relatively warm (25C or higher) and constantly moist (but not soaked).  Some sources suggest putting the seeds in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them after lightly scarring.  Let them sit in the water for about a minute and then plant.  This is probably the method I'll use.  I've successfully tried it with Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seeds so I don't expect the seeds to be killed.  Germination should occur within about a month.

    Stay tuned for my next post on Jacaranda mimosifolia.

First Palm Sprout (Trachycarpus fortunei)

Today I noticed my first palm sprout!  It's a Trachycarpus fortunei and the seeds were harvested from near the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.  There are two other seeds that have also sprouted that were harvested from the UBC Gardens.  They've put out roots but no upward growth yet so they don't count. ;)

It's towards the right side of the picture, just in the light and looks a bit like a sprouting blade of grass.  BTW my blogoversary was on July 5th.  I missed it!  One year old!

This was the fist batch of seeds I planted.  I'm glad that they are finally starting to sprout!  Now I just have to wait for the first of the next four palm species to come to life.  The coffee also hasn't sprouted yet but some of the stevia are out.

My community garden plot looks a little sad.  You'll see what I mean the next time I update.  I planted before the compost arrived and the soil dries out in about 30 seconds.  Needles to say, my leafing greens are not happy.

Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

My castor bean seedlings started sprouting a few days ago and have taken off like rockets.  They look a little lanky but the lights are strong so I figure it's just they way they start their lives.  I actually collected these seeds from the reddish plants in the centre of the beds at the Civic Garden Complex.  These are bar far the nicest variety I have ever seen growing.

There are both red and green varieties but I definitely prefer the red.  There are no other plants grown here that can add such a tropical and lush feel so quickly.  The ones in the link above were over 3m (10ft) tall by the end of the summer and had been started indoor and planted at about 50cm (1.5ft).  The growth rate is extremely impressive and we even had a relatively wet/cloudy summer.  In tropical climates they actually grow into mid-sized trees.  They can of course be trimmed to encourage denser, shorter growth.  The photo below was taken yesterday.  I love the spiraling stems.

The seeds contain notable concentrations of the poison ricin as does the rest of the plant in lesser concentrations.  This being said, the recin can be removed and castor oil is actually an important export in many warmer countries.  Here they are only grown for decorative purposes.  Plants are started from seed each year and die down to the roots after hard frost.  Eventually they completely freeze and die in the winter.  Last time I checked, the stumps from last year's batch were still in the ground.

Below you can see the seedlings as of a few minutes before this post.  I'll probably have to split them up relatively soon.  I like to start way too many seeds and then just save the best ones.  It's emotionally difficult but works well!

I rotate the pot in the morning and evening so they don't just grow in one direction.  I highly recommend these plants!  If you're concerned about pets or children you can just cut off the flowers so the plant doesn't go to seed.  It's probably not the best idea if you have a pet that's fond of foliage though!  Just make sure to give them nutrient rich, moist, well aerated soil and they won't disappoint.