Hmm i think nightshades will be the key to the generator beginner mana in this modpack so i think the choice of purple instead of red petal in the previous quest would be the right choice which save ya on about 5 purple flowers. I think i got lucky than since i managed to sleep and set a spawn but otherwise the bed issue isn't a problem for me.
Edit: I think the quest to make nightshades needs to be to along side the mana pool quest because you need to make the nightshades to even get the mana pool which requires mana to get.
Edit 2: oh yes for people looking for clay instead of drops theres a flower in botania that trades sand in for clay and i find sand pretty common, also the ruinic altar quest gives a nether wart so farms for that is possible now to.