S. Mirabilis soldiers on...

[JonNo]

If I remember correctly this is the fourth year that this little chap has flowered. Given that, as I understand it, they are of the "flower once and die" variety, I can't help but admire the way it soldiers on..! I suspect this may be its last time, it is getting quite "woody" now, but I'll give it every chance.

[edds]

Looking good Jon. My two year old plants are looking much more aged and some seem to have lost most of their roots over the winter. Strange plants!

[ianstrutt]

Growing these from seed for the first time this year. They’re about 10 times the size of everything else around them currently!

[el48tel]

Definitely a plant with character and peculiar ways. If you put the plant in strong light as it starts to flower, it will close straight away and abort the flower. Tried to video one and it did just that. I have a plan for next time (an expensive plan buy should work).

[DavidI]

I am down to the last survivor of 3 that I grew from seed 5 years ago and it's not looking great but I may get one last flowering out of it (and hopefully some seed to start again!)

[Smel]

Hi,
Yes I had one some years ago, sure that only flowered once and later gave up. Had a couple since and tried with seeds, got plants but no flowers, so yours must be a Super-duper one..

[ralphrmartin]

The good thing is that they are self-fertile and produce plenty of seed, which grows readily, even if they are short-lived.

[el48tel]

The good thing is that they are self-fertile and produce plenty of seed, which grows readily, even if they are short-lived.

Never got my seed to germinate .... and I have tried ..... many times

[JonNo]

Definitely a plant with character and peculiar ways. If you put the plant in strong light as it starts to flower, it will close straight away and abort the flower. Tried to video one and it did just that. I have a plan for next time (an expensive plan buy should work).

Sounds like an interesting project! Mine always starts to open its bud early evening after the sun has gone down, stays open overnight and through the following morning, then by mid-day is starting to wither and by late afternoon has gone. So they are obviously programmed to respond that way to light, which is going to make your plan a difficult one... Good luck with it!

Hi,
Yes I had one some years ago, sure that only flowered once and later gave up. Had a couple since and tried with seeds, got plants but no flowers, so yours must be a Super-duper one..

Got to be honest and say I have no idea how or why it keeps coming back, just grateful it does! It is one of my favourite flowers.

[Aiko]

Never got my seed to germinate .... and I have tried ..... many times

Have you changed things, to see if that makes a difference?
If the seeds are fresh, they should germinate easily. How fresh were your seeds?