DearPBS; I grow Gethylis. If I can, anyone can. Gethylis villosa is not spectacular, but is quite interesting. My climate is coastal range northern Calif.-winter rainfall-35 inches-mild-down to occasional upper 20's F. Summer is dry and hot- up to 100+ at times. Soil mix-3 parts potting mix, 3 sand, 1 perlite, 1 vermiculite. Why? I don't know. 5 in. deep oval plastic pot. In Jan. '02,'03,'04 up popped 15 twisted, dark green, very hairy leaves on a 1 in. thick red stem. They happily persist for 3+ mo. even after many other So. Afrcans are done. I keep watering them until they dry(I don't know if this is necessary). They wither for 1-2 months and then suddenly a long white bud emerges opening to a 1-2 in.lax bloom for 4-5 days in June-July. Only half of them bloomed. In '03 six bloomed at the same time. In '04 three bloomed in early June and three bloomed 2 weeks late. You have to be watchful or you will miss them. I saw no fruits in the fall, but I had them covered in the shade and didn't look. Question?? How should you pollinate them? I rubbed the blossoms together(I thought I heard happy squeals). Is there a better way? Sorry this is so long. Bob Werra