Solanum rantonnetii (common names: Royal Robe)

It could have been this year, couldn't it. No summer to speak of, lots of wind and rain, little sun. Maybe if I see another one I'll try again. It really was a joy to see in full bloom!

I had these growing in my Spanish garden....even though the temps in Winter were minus, they survived well with no protection and a strong westerley spring wind. They were mulched around with gravel over very free draining soil, so I think they were mainly cold and dry. In the Spring I would water well and they bloomed really well. Think cold and damp is the enemy here.

At the moment it is just a stump with a rootball. It's outside, too, as I simply can't squeeze anything else in the cool greenhouse! Do you know what I did to it (or didn't do) that was wrong, John?

Spritz. That is very sad. If the place you disposed of it to should return it please remember that since my retirement from the real world I do now love making poorly plants better. (It's easier than humans - no relatives). So send it here. LoL.

John.

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news - maybe I didn't deal with mine properly. I bought it in a pot in May 2007 and loved it. I wanted to keep it for 2008 so I cut it back and put it in my greenhouse. I was thrilled when it produced shoots in the spring. I re-potted it and got it back out again in May, and then things went wrong. Its shoots grew too long and it only produced a very few flowers. Possibly I should have pinched out the ends or cut it back again - I don't really know - but it was a disaster and not a pretty sight - so I have disposed of it, I'm afraid. What a tale of woe! I'd love another one, though!

Solanums are tender in frost Jwhite. I am in the UK equivalent zone 8b and I would still fleece it heavily in winter. A trash bag is not the best idea. It would not allow it to breathe. I suggest you buy some garden fleece from your local garden center and give it a double wrapping. Hessian (sacking) may do the trick but I must say I admire your enterprise trying to grow this in zone 7 (we aren't related are we? - LOL)

John.

I think what I'll have to do is clip it in the autumn and keep fleece handy for nights after about the 30th November. It's our cold winds that are the problem rather than frost. We don't tend to get heavy frost so fleece should do the trick but watch this space

Nice to see another one - will you be able to let it stay out for the winter? Mine will have to go in the greenhouse, it's not hardy under 7 degrees, apparently. It has flowered and flowered through rain, wind and sometimes sun this year.

Non, it has got a blue pot - but a smaller one. HOWEVER, as it has grown, I had a struggle to get it back in, so I shall have to a) use the big blue pot, b) buy another one! Guess which option I prefer! When the other plants round its base have grown and are in flower, I will post another photo. I am very proud of myself for getting it this far! Yah boo sucks to B&Q for telling me 'One season only'!

Certainly worth over-wintering. Is this the plant in the blue pot ? The blue pot that you kindly posted a full view photo pour mois ?