A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum china doll

Greetings from the South San Joachin Valley, california. I'm new to this site, but I would like to share some information on china dolls and see if anyone has a similar experience: about 15 years ago we got a china doll; it sat in the house and then on the porch, getting to about 2 ft high, almost dying, down to one pathetic stalk. 10 or so years ago I planted it outside about 2 ft from the house in a location shaded in the morning and lighted in the summer afternoon. The plant is now a stalk about 20-25 feet high, 8 or so in. in diameter, and has seven or so branches up to 4 ft long. Many years ago it began to heliotropically bend one way and then, when turned the following year, another; this is now a curve that exactly fits the eves and roof overhang. The plant rises to about 6 ft above the roof, which means direct light, all day, in temperatures up to 106 F. And then, a week ago it began to bloom. They bloom??? It has produced at the end of each branch a cluster that looks like lily buds; each then produces a flower, sticky and without aroma, that looks like a lily trumpet with the open end completely closed, which then drops off to leave a wiry stamen (I assume). I have never read of such a thing in a "houseplant." Can anyone comment? I'd love to hear from you.

WOW is all I can really say. Sure would love to see some pictures of this plant. I had a chine doll once but it lost all it's leaves on the inside and looked pathetic after that. But it sure is one beautiful plant to start with.

By the way welcome to the forum.