RE: datura

On another note, my variegated datura ( Missouri marble)has set seeds.
Interesting that the seed pods have the same creamish white streaks to
them. I was expecting them to be like a native datura... as in the pods
turn brown before opening up... Nope.... still in the greenish/ striped
mode when the first two opens and started spilling out the seeds...
Horrors! How do I know when they are ready to grab off the vine.. they
are not hardy here, so I would like to try the seeds next year and see
if the variegation holds, or just what type it will become.... thinking
of getting my old nylons out and attempting to catch the seeds....Dh is
totally against that since they can be seen from the road..... thoughts
anyone?

Donna

1. Ignore dh. Failing that:
2. If you are able, check pods every few days. When ripe, the pods will almost crumble in your hands. Even if not totally ripe, you can usually pick the pod, dry it, and the seeds will still mature and be OK>
3. Actually, while the plants are not hardy, unless the roots are protected from frost, the seeds should easily survive the winter. I live in Wisconsin, and even when we used to regularly have -20F winters, the seeds of both Datura meteloides (of which I believe, Missouri Marble is a variegated cultivar), and Datura stramonium, which I'm guessing is the "native" datura to which you refer, routinely return from seed every spring, although not until the weather has warmed sufficiently. Still, collecting some seed is a good idea.

Regarding the chances of obtaining variegated seedlings: The source from whom I obtained my cuttings says that the variegation does not come true from seed. One the other hand, I have heard that if the variegation on a plant shows up on the fruit or pod, the chances are good of having the variegation come true from seed. I plan on trying this out on my own variegated MM pod. However, I'll also take cuttings to be on the safe side.

One note of caution here. Often the variegation on a plant does not show up immediately in the seedling stage. I have a variegated horseradish (Amoracea rusticanum), that is already in it's second year and is just beginning to show variegation. Also, not all offspring may show variegation, so make sure to have several plants raised from seed.

I believe that Jim Waddick, in Kansas City, is the originator of MM. I don't know if he is on this list (never seen a post).

In any case, good luck and share your results next year.
--
Don Martinson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
l*@wi.rr.com

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