Herb plants from the home improvement store ...help!!

[smaxey843]

well. I have them closest to the wall on a patio that faces north and west, with a large obstruction to the west(adjacent apartment building. I live on the second story of a three story building) so they get very little direct sunlight but plenty of indirect light. there is heat, but it was cooler yesterday and today due to storms. the soil is still moist, but it is setup to drain very well, though I have almost no practical experience to measure against what I just said it seems to be right. though I cannot be sure.

[smaxey843]

Nothing exceptional to report.. they still look a little droopy. its not quite the right forum for this bit. but the cucumbers have sprouted very excited about that

[rainbowgardener]

If you can find a place where they get more hours of direct light, they will probably do better.

[smaxey843]

hmm... well. if I put them on the patio table they'll probably average more direct sun. I had placed them away from direct light intentionally to follow what I interpretation of directions on the little card thing I'll put em out there and update tomorrow. thanks again rainbow

[rainbowgardener]

I don't know exactly what "average a few more hours" means.

But if they haven't been getting much direct sun, don't just throw them out into many hours of it. They need to get used to it gradually. Start with a couple hours, then each day gradually increase it.

[smaxey843]

hmm... I'm not sure how to best serve those instructions. I'm limited to a 8x16 apartment patio, I could progresively move the plant from the southeast corner(the corner of which is walled on both sides and thus get the less sun)
and progressively move them north west towards the more exposed area of the patio. I moved them about half way across onto the coffee table. if it would help I can post pictures of this tonight to better illustrate. Thanks again

[smaxey843]

another update on the basil/oregano, and what turns out to be a productive radish show, as well as a lot of cucumbers, I'll focus on the herbs and take the radishes and cuces into the veggie forum.

after following rainbows advice(again) and having it turn out positive (again) I'm very excited to present these pictures of what I've got out on the table that used to just hold the ashtray.

this guy in its own white pot

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0597.jpg[/img]

this dude in his own maxwell house coffee can:

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0598.jpg[/img]

and the bucket with four of em :

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0599.jpg[/img]

let me know what ya'll think,

[applestar]

You are doing great! I enjoyed reading about your newfound adventures in gardening.

[cynthia_h]

The plants all look like they're doing well.

However, I also note the pack of Marlboro cigarettes in one of the photos. (No, I'm not going to get into the "Smoking Is Bad For You" stuff.) Handling cigarettes and then going directly into handling garden plants *can* transmit the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) to susceptible plants. Recommended practice is to smoke if you're going to smoke, then wash your hands, *then* work with the plants.

Other than that, you seem to be getting along very well with the 8x16 patio! I have some dirt, just a little, so approx. 1/3 of my edibles are in containers along my driveway on a strip of concrete about 15" wide btw the driveway and the house.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[smaxey843]

wow I didnt even know a tobacco disease existed, I do not smoke, but my wife does, and as she handles the plants little to none, I'm not entirely concerned, but I'll have her wash up if she feels like helping me.

she tested positive for lupis a couple weeks ago and we're trying to find a low energy hobby that we can share together. thanks for your input cynthia hope ya'll are having a nice sunday.

[cynthia_h]

Well, let's hope that both of you LOVE cucumbers! (I looked at your other thread.)

Please see my PM; I just sent it to you.

Cynthia

[smaxey843]

hey ya'll. just an update on the bucket garden, so far everything is still alive, except for the seedlings, this past week has been exceptional in terms of demands on time, so I'm putting up a handful of pictures and inviting comments, thanks rainbow and cynthia ya'll are awesome

I decided to trim the radishes pretty radically. the size of the pot didnt measure up with what the seedpacket said it needed, so I decided I'll just grow one super awesome radish.. so far its a little soft.

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0628.jpg[/img]

The basil is doing well. I harvested a few basil leaves from the plant that is in the blue maxwellhouse can. it seems like it took it well, but I'm not entirely sure.

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0626.jpg[/img]

the other basil seems to be doing well, the plant on the top right is the dominant, not just an angle of the camera, and I'm considering replanting him in the one five gallon bucket I have, but have been holding onto for the right plant.

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0624.jpg[/img]

the cucumbers are fun to watch. they seem to be doing well, they've both got their two true leaves(the prickly looking ones right?) and last I heard it was transplant time for them, so I'm going to have to dig up two five gallons or consider plucking the weakling and let one live in there. I'd welcome advice on that if anyone has any

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0623.jpg[/img]

Peas look... like peas I guess I'm not sure what I'm doing with these, they just look like they're still moving so I'm happy,

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0625.jpg[/img]

oregano seems happy with its environment. I find myself talking about oregano like he has a personality, and its strange for me to talk to a plant like its going to talk back lol!

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0629.jpg[/img]

so thats where I stand now when do I pluck basil and oregano? I need to learn how to harvest cheers.

[rainbowgardener]

Basil is still not looking very perky. I wouldn't harvest any until it seems happier.

[smaxey843]

thanks rainbow for your input

I took a closer look at the larger basil plant, it still has that brownish discoloration at the base of the stem, also, I've noticed some roots that are exposed, I'm not sure if the soil has filtered deeper into the pot or if the plant decided it needed some roots that had sunexposure, not sure. although I'm very pleased by the growth of one of the basil plants that I'm calling alpha for some reason, images below.

[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0647.jpg[/img]



and the roots/base image.
[img]https://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu238/smaxey843/Gardening%20pictures/IMG_0646.jpg[/img]

any thoughts? or is all this normal?