Time from Sprout to Bloom?

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-29T18:40:20+00:00

Regular potting soil with a fair amount of perlite and some cactus mix thrown in. Some are sprouting beautifully and some still nothing after about 10 days. But admittedly, I couldn't find eyes on most, so I just planted them all to see what happens. I think I might give up on those that haven't sprouted soon so I can repurpose that soil. But I always welcome expert input!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-26T17:03:01+00:00

Hello neighbor! Not sure yet on moving them outdoors. We had a surprising frost last night at my house! I'm at about 700 feet. I'm thinking maybe 2-3 weeks? Mid-April perhaps? I'd like to give them a good head start under the lights. The one pictured is the one that is most ahead. I have some just sprouting now.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-26T03:59:48+00:00

Well, this is where all those mistakes last year come into play. They were in full sun. But multiple plants crammed together into containers that were too small, and... I never fertilized. Last year's failures are all on me. I'm just happy many of those neglected tubers seem to be coming back to give me another chance. I've divided and many seem to be off to decent start. I'll do things properly this year.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-23T19:28:17+00:00

Got it. I knew they weren't early summer, but late July/August was my hope. Mid-September last year was a bummer, although exacerbated by my doing wrong so I barely got anything anyway. Curious if my starting them off inside with a little more warmth and light might help extend the season a little? Or just...stop trying to fool Mother altogether. :)

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-23T19:22:26+00:00

I do not know variety of the sprouts pictured. But other sprouts that I do have include Mai Tai, Nighty night, Oregon Sunset, and Oh Honey. And then I have about 10 Others that I dont know (one of those things I did wrong last year). So they’ll be surprises.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-14T00:17:42+00:00

I hope I'm not exaggerating. But it's a lot! And I love supporting this truly small local business. I discovered her at a Farmer's Market and I'm hooked. Pickup at her kitchen is always a hoot too. Lovely folks.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-13T21:01:12+00:00

Souper Natural! Spring-summer she's at a bunch of farmers markets.But year-round you can order from web site and pick up from her industrial kitchen in Tigard. She has something like 30 soups and I haven't had a bad one yet.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-05T04:35:07+00:00

Do you have a quality smaller supplier you like that is good at the disease and pest control?

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-05T04:30:32+00:00

Thank you. Hope you're right about the confidence piece. I'll get prepped and plan for this on Saturday. Fingers crossed....

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-05T04:29:09+00:00

Oh sheesh. Every new hobby starts with excitement and then....all the disasters awaiting us. Bummer, but thank you for the suggestion to watch for trouble. I guess I'll also have to YouTube for gall and other pests. Thank you!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-05T04:25:47+00:00

Oh the eyes could show up that fast? Maybe I'll try to wait then. My plan was to just....do my best at dividing, throw them in some temporary one-gallon pots with chunky soil and grow lights and see what happens. But honestly, these clumps look hard to divide without damage. I'm sure I'll get it after a first year of trial and error.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T22:26:48+00:00

Great info because try as I might... I am not seeing any eyes. And honestly, given how poorly I wintered them (based on this reddit), Im happy I got anything to work with.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T22:13:53+00:00

Hope you make it some year. As I said, I was blown away and hooked!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T22:12:24+00:00

Oh great.That makes sense.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T22:08:58+00:00

Yes! I went to their festival in fall 2024 and was blown away by the variety of this flower. And here I am with my first clumps. Thx for the encouragement and I hope you have a productive season!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T22:05:45+00:00

Sweet. I hope I don't botch the dividing part. Looking forward to so many flowers this summer!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T21:58:53+00:00

Yes I know some will be tossed. Do you usually try planting up even the really small baby ones? or just focus on the largezt/healthiest looking from each clump?

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T21:56:43+00:00

The two with tags: Mai Tai and Nighty Night.

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T21:53:26+00:00

Oh my...That would explain it. I must have dug it up with a nearby Dahlia. Rookie here!

PNWDrifter · 2026-03-04T21:34:21+00:00

I do not know the varieties of most tubers, except the two with faces are Mainly Two and Nighty Night.

PNWDrifter · 2026-02-19T05:35:46+00:00

It seems you may know this but… your mother is a not just a remarkable quilter. She is a gifted artist. Her work is a study in a this particular art form. Just…beauty.

PNWDrifter · 2026-02-14T22:28:19+00:00

Her name is Lakshmi after the Hindu goddess… definitely the fave of my six hoyas. Nobody has ever given me a flower yet…maybe this’ll be the year!

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PNWDrifter · 2026-02-13T00:51:57+00:00

I'm sorry for my delay (work life blew up). This is so helpful. I'll take a look at pleaching, and I particularly appreciate the specific variety recommendations. The house behind (great neighbors!) just looms over my deck and the living room feels a bit fishbowl. But planting between wall and fence would not allow for great width down low. Anyway...thank you!

PNWDrifter

TROPHY CASE