-R, You're quite right - I should have used 'opportunistic' rather than that other word, which of course has to do with the roots many Crassulaceae put out. But I'm not making myself understood by y'all (thank you for your use of this underused word, btw). In response to your second paragraph, no, not at all. My premise is simply this - if a plant grows in the winter in South Africa, it will grow in the winter in North America. You're basing your argument on Mesembs, but it's by no means limited to just that Family. You could use Aloe dichotoma as an example. Whether it's a Cono, Aloe, Tylecodon, etc. if it comes from the winter-rainfall areas of the RSA/Namibia, that's usually an indicator that it does most of its growing, by and large, in the winter. Given that, it will grow in the winter, given average growing conditions, whether it's December in Vancouver, BC or July at the Orange River. The plant will make the switch to its growing time where it is, but it's programmed to growing certain external conditions are met - rain, short daylight hours, cooler temps at day and night, and so on. They don't switch their growing seasons - they switch the months which they grow in. Now, having learned from x and others that many so-called only-winter-growers can actually do a cultural modification and grow some in other supposedly-dormant seasons, I'm still learning. You cite an excellent source, but your interpretation of that information is topsy-turvy. If you read your 7th paragraph, you're agreeing with us - '..some plants that grow in winter in the Southern Hemisphere don't make the shift, and only grow in winter in the Northern Hemisphere' - that's it exactly - they're winter-growers no matter where they are, even though your we're-almost-there! sentence is almost negated by your belief of the plants not making the shift. -R, they do so make the shift, but it's not going to bother me a great deal if you don't accept it. I myself am still looking for the pot o' gold at the end of every rainbow I can hug.

R: whats it called then ? my first reply? anyways heres what i wrote earlier in the thread * Posted by jonaskragebaer 8 denmark (My Page) on Tue, Dec 7, 10 at 11:30 great looking plant you got there :), have you noticed that the right side of the stem looks like a monkey's head :D? also, i know this isn't the same plant and prob. not even in the same family but, last year i stuck a few "hairs" from a Euphorbia medusa in a pot and they rooted, but all they have done so far is grow longer in the end. does any1 have any experience growing this plant, or know if it will ever grow into a normal medusa ? but your right i should prob. just start a new thread :) that would be easier and less confusing :)

All peppers are perennial but they are warm weather so in your zone you would have to bring it inside for the winter. I don;t know where crystallinelotus is, but he/she never returned to answer any questions so we could help her/him. If the medusa was left outside in oct/nov/december and it was cold, the plant probably died which would explain the leaves falling off. As far as your medusa goes, I would treat it like any other chile pepper. Put in a sunny spot all summer and then when fall sets in if you want, bring it inside and put in a sunny window or under lights and it should be fine.

Wow. The Medusa photo is almost like something out of a sci fi movie. Joe