I have a variegated blue potato bush and a white flowered potato vine but have never seen the giant. I keep mine growing year round, outside during the warm months and in the greenhouse over the winter. They don't do great over the winter but recover nicely once back outside. I don't remember which solanums they are but my blue potato bush is small, only a couple feet tall. The pics online of the Solanum wrightii are quite impressive. Yes, they are insect magnets, especially aphids and white flies while in the greenhouse. I don't have any problems outside. I don't use insecticides, just pick & squish and a good spray with a hose.

Since the original posting, I found that these plants, under the right conditions, will become a small tree, with a 6"-8" trunk.

One grower states that the Giant Potato Tree has spiny-thorns on stems and leaves, and the plant is covered in velvety hairs than can cause itching. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? If this is true, plus the insect-magnet factor, now I know why they are not very popular, and not offered very often. Logee's has them for sale this season.. I've also read that they are very easy from seed, and will flower within the year from sowing...like a eggplant-on-steroids! : )

I have to say that these plants are not bad looking, and the leaves, though coarse, remind me of an Oak. Maybe the merits will outweigh the demerits...and the flowers are beautiful and scented.

I'll give it a try, and toss it if I hate it.

Kick in with some cultural info. for this plant. How do I grow this plant well?

BronxFigs

I just found more information on a web-site with great information. Search: jaycjayc.com "Solanum macranthum" for great photos and extensive information.

I still like some cultural suggestion for this plant in containers, especially growing mediums, and winter care.

Frank

I read it can get 15' tall and just as wide.. 0_0..
BUT it is pretty!

Kylie

My seed source notified me a few minutes ago by e-mail. No seeds available, and will not restock.

So, now I need the seeds for this plant. Anyone have some seeds to sell me? I now need a source, commercial/private. I don't want a plant, just the seeds. Please!

Contact me: fdvpiano@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Frank

Found another source for seeds, but they have to be imported. No sources found, that I discovered, in the US for seeds! Is this possible? That's like saying that you can't find seeds for tomatoes!

So, now that the seeds are in the mail, what's the best way to germinate these seeds? Soak, then sow in peat?... coconut coir?....bottom heat?

I need some suggestions.

Thanks,

Frank

That's not unusual. I've had to place orders from outside the US for seeds that I want a number of times.

I would just soak them in water overnight and plant in a high quality, well draining potting mix and use bottom heat. Most of the solanums I've grown germinate without much fuss. Good luck with them.

karyn1....

Thanks for the sowing tips. I will do what you say, and hopefully, by this summer, I will have a forest of "Giant Potato Trees" blooming/growing on my back deck.

Now where can I buy a machete? : )

Frank

U P D A T E :

Gave up on starting plant from seeds. They never germinated, so I ordered this plant from a T-Tropicals nursery. The tree will be delivered today.

What kind of mix should I use for growing in a 15 gallon container. This plant will have to come indoors when cooler weather starts in the Fall, 2012. It will be outside, on my back deck, growing in full-sun until moved inside, then, it will be grown right up against glass doors that face south.

I was thinking of using the quick-draining mix of equal parts of Pine Bark Fines, Turface-MVP, and Aquarium grit, then using diluted fertilizers for nutrition with each watering.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Frank