Hi Rainyday,

I live in Missouri and grow datura metel (yellow and purple) from seed every year; they grow like crazy here. As far as starting them from seeds, I've found that a month or so of moist cold stratification (in the refrigerator) makes a world of difference. I never nick datura seeds (scarification), just put them in the frig for a month or so and germinate them using the paper towel method. If you use seeds you saved yourself, they should be pretty fresh and germinate in 3 to 6 weeks, mine usually take less than a month.

I enjoy starting seeds under lights in my basement during the boring winter months, so I don't winter sow anything outside. I would think, however, that datura would do very well when winter sown.

As for your plants not showing much growth, I don't know. I assume they're planted in a well draining area where they get plenty of sun; they love the heat. Other than that, I've never done anything special and they always grow to at least five or six feet high and just as wide (or even more) in one season. They won't make it through the winter here so I grow them as annuals.

Anyway, I hope something here is helpful and I wish you the best of luck with your plants.

Art

I save my seed every year. Start seed indoors in January and it is blooming in mostly shade, about 3 feet tall, right now. Seed is started at 70 degrees, and germinates normally within two or three weeks, with no pre-treatment. Al