Years ago, when I went on a vacation, and visited Nassau, these trees were growing all over the grounds of the Hotel where I stayed.

I would imagine they love full sun, and warm, tropical/sub-tropical temps. year round. I doubt Nassau ever gets your cooler temps...If I were growing this plant, I would not let the temps fall below 55 in winter. Not until I found out exactly what culture they need.

Frank

Where did you find the seeds? It is Annatto or Achiote used in Mexican food.

http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Bixa_ore.html

I am interested in growing it too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bixa orelliana

I got my seeds from Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach. They were on the ground under the tree.

stefpix: I bought seeds from wwww.tradewindsfruit.com
Here are couple photos of these plants. Apparently, I didn't put them under ideal growing condition, they are larger, but not as much as I expected.
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I've seen one in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney NSW growing in the open which is 34 deg S which equates to LA.

john,
How big was the one you saw?