I received my plants as seedlings from Nhu, so I can't speak to germination requirements, but further details of this Bomarea are that it gets at least 15 feet (~5m) tall and has survived a few very brief spells (like, an hour or two) of 28 degrees F (-1 C) in the ground without appreciable damage. Here's a picture of the inflorescence: http://www.flickr.com/photos/badthings/5868531802/ Best, Max Withers Oakland CA