You will have better luck getting advice on growing if you will post you questions in the growing and plant problem forums.

In addition, you will need to furnish some additional information in order for someone to help you. How old is the plant? How big? What size pot is it in? Does it look healthy now?

I would also suggest that you talk to the friend that "gifted" you the plant. Find out what conditions he was keeping it in. Was it in all day full sun, part-day sun, etc? If the plant is healthy now, try to recreate the conditions in which it was grown. In the meantime, put the plant somewhere sheltered outside until you find out. That means somewhere without blazing sun or strong wind.

Finally and most important, everything you need to know to grow and harvest is right here at cancom. You just have to read, read, read, read, read, and read.

Good luck.