Cobaea

Hi Loulou, here are some websites with info on growing cobaea:

http://www.houseplantsguru.com/cup-and-saucer-vine-cobaea-scandens

http://uk.ask.com/web?q=Cup+and+Saucer+Plant&qsrc=14114&o=17&l=dir&gc=1

Just click on them to open. Apparently they don't grow too huge in a container, but have to be staked.

Have fun and good luck!

Can I ask if you are growing it from seed and if you have grown it before?

 Hi Kate,I grow them from seed every year.Seeds are exp. & slow to germinate but OK once up.Sow them onside or they will not come up.The WHITE variety are good too and will bloom till the frost. Plant them out when safe from  frost . Worth growing as they are problem free once germinated and look so exotic and unusual.Have not had much luck with cuttings and my collected seeds.MD has been able to do so...not fair! But do have a go, it's such an achievement Will try and find some recent pictures and of the white ones.Good luck and enjoy

I sowed some on Wednesday, the packet said to soak for 2 hours in warm water, they are funny flat seeds and went all slimy after soaking, hope they will come up, I grew the canary creeper last year but fancied a change.

  Did I understand you, Jatnikapyar? Did you say that seed should be sown on their side or they would not come up? That's a valuable piece of information, if so. Thanks.

I've grown cobaea every year. I start them off in individual pots and then transplant them and in my experience they don't require any special treatment. Mine germinate every year.

Last year they all failed miserably due to the lack of sun and all the excessive rain we had here in West Lancs so this year I'm giving them a miss.

I've just started some Canary creeper which aren't as fussy as the cobaea and I'm hoping for a better Summer this year along with everyone else.

@jatnikapyar thanks for the advice, your plants look fab, I can grow them but have failed miserably to get them to flower what is your secret? This year I have overwintered them so I am hoping that I may see some flowers.