Applestar’s 2018 Garden

[applestar]

I found use for disposable contact lenses cups

[applestar]

...the tomatillos (which were first to sprout) are in the middle — I sowed purples on one side and greens on the other, so if the purplish hue in the hypocotyl is any indication, I have 2 of each at this point

...for some reason, Bill’s Striped were stalled at knuckle stage while Oxhorn of C and Giant DH have stood up and spread their seed leaves. Maybe Bill’s like it warmer? I left the lights on last night in case they are feeling the chill during the night.

[applestar]

Larger pill bottles have been recruited for seedling starters as well (3/8” hole drilled in the bottom). From here on, zip bag method and Kcup method require pretty constant monitoring to succeed since germinated/sprouted seeds need to be sown and growing seedlings separated and uppotted as they outgrow the limited tiny containers in a constant stream of “Just In Time” production. However, doing this does save space and total number supplies since containers can be washed and re-used as seedlings outgrow them, and every square inch of space on the heat mat and under the lights will be used by GROWING seedlings, not empties that are waiting to sprout and show some kind of life. I have such limited amount of space for the number of plants I want to grow that I can’t afford squatters.

[applestar]

I was unwilling to accept failure to sprout from these pepper and eggplant varieties, and started some more, this time using Seedzip method.

I was worried that some of these seeds wouldn’t sink at first after adding the chamomile tea, but after 4-6 hour soak, they had all sank to the bottom.

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with all this, but at least I can be satisfied that I made the attempt.



Hab Chocolate
Numex Jalmundo
Numex Sandia
Anaheim Chili Seeds
Barker’s Hot (green chili)
AstraKem eggplant
Hon Naga Nasu (Japanese)
Chocolate Cake - swordy’17
Sweet Orange Doux cross - patihum’17

...also, if these germinate well, I think I will acknowledge that my current seed starting conditions make it too cold to start peppers in mid-late February (in other words, don’t get caught up in other gardener’s Spring Fever! LOL), and I’m actually better off waiting to start them until overall ambient temperatures are higher in mid-March and even later. The sun also sets a little closer to the west and beyond as the Spring Equinox approaches and pass, and the setting sun begins to shine in on the NW window where my Winter Paradise set up is located, which is where I keep the warm weather seedlings. This increases the warmth in the room even more — better conditions all around.

[applestar]

My lettuces and brassicas, and artichokes, are spending their first all night outside. Is it funny that I woke up and am worrying about them like they were my children at their first sleepover? It’s 38°F outside... it shouldn’t be too cold for them. Go back to sleep, me!


... 3:14am...

...OK did NOT go outside to check on them, but took some pictures of newest tomato babies
— in the back of top photo — Ladyfingers F4, Buttermints F4, Napa Rosé, Pinocchio Orange (micro)
— bottom photo — dwarfs ... Lemon Ice, King Aramis, Dwarf Blazing Beauty, ...etc.

[SQWIB]

Interesting about the seedzip idea, never heard of it.
Were on the same page for hardening off, our weather seems very similar, mine went out yesterday after work around 4pm.

The only problem is the dogs think it is a salad buffet.

[applestar]

Haha. I have to keep the lettuce tray away from one of our CATS who LOVES lettuce. In fact, last several days when I was taking the trays in and out, I had to ask a DD to “keep an eye on the lettuce” while it was waiting it’s turn sitting on the kitchen floor. LOLOL

The .. tatsoi?.. look great! I would be tempted to take a few of the outer big leaves to use in a stir fry or (noodle) soup!

...and in comparison, my artichokes appear to be stalled because I’ve kept them too cold. I’m concerned that at this rate, they will think/KNOW they are still in the first year and not be fooled into thinking they went through a period of chill AFTER the first year.... Hmmm

...I took this photo yesterday... artichokes are in the back.

[digitS']

I only leave annuals out by "accident." Of course, the perennials were out there all winter and the divisions and even the seedlings form an outdoor community. Some annuals will reseed themselves ... because I accidentally didn't collect the fruit or seed last year.

I'm nowhere near a hardening-off moment. Yesterday morning was the first in March '18 when it didn't freeze here at home. I will get more seedlings in the greenhouse potted up and on a good day, bring them out to enjoy the fresh air. If they look like they are doing okay, I might accidentally wander off and leave them a few hours.

After awhile, and if they still look comfortable through their time outdoors, I may leave them right through the day. This becomes a pattern of behavior for a week or two, altho they may be kept in during bad weather instead of having outdoor recess. In time, and if I know the forecast and have lots of busyness to attend to late, I may accidentally leave them overnight.

Often I don't because if they are really where they should be to be out 24 hours, and outdoor conditions are right, they are ready for Garden Camp! I will drive out with a whole bunch of nearly rootbound seedlings in the back of the pickup; show the entire group where they can play in the dirt finding water and nutrients; and then I accidentally drive off and leave them there. Rushing back on later and scheduled dates so that I can relieve Mother Nature of some of her responsibilities, usually I find them fine, even if a little cranky at first.

Helicopter digitS'

[applestar]

[applestar]

Seedzip method could look like this — these seeds were started on March 21 and they are almost the last ones to germinate/sprout in the same group. Many germinated day or two earlier, others germinated at the same time but then outpaced these to sprout earlier. Out of all those tomato seed varieties started on 3/21 and 3/23, I have two Seedzip bags (varieties) that have not germinated at all. Everybody else are in various stages of germination or have already germinated and/or sprouted and are sown/planted/growing.

By the time seedleaves unfold, the seedroot can be 1 inch long or longer, and some will start to grow secondary/side roots.



In the right side close-ups, one is definitely an antho variety — Helsing Junction Blues, which explains the intensely purple hypocotyl. The other one, Maiden Voyage F4 as far as I know is not an antho variety, so I’m not sure what to think about that... I’m going to have to find out.

[lakngulf]

I decided the time and effort for starting peppers and eggplant was not worth the trouble. So I plan to just purchase Bonnie Plants from Home Depot or Walmart.

[applestar]

Ah... but then there are those REALLY interesting varieties that you would miss out on....

...in your case, it might be worth growing special varieties just once, then digging the plants up (prune severely if too big) and overwintering them since you don’t have as severe winters — if your greenhouse doesn’t freeze, you could even keep them in there. I keep looking st my seed-started peppers list and tally — it seems way inadequate since I ran into some problems... but then I remember all the mature peppers that were overwintered in the house. I suspect I will have trouble finding places to plant them.

I AM disappointed that the eggplant seeds are yet again giving me trouble — I Think I only have 1 SEEDLING of Diamond to show for my efforts, although I did re-start some more seeds. I only have ONE winter survivor this year — eggplants are susceptible to same pests and diseases as tomatoes and seem to be just as fussy. On the other hand, I had all those eggplant seedlings and overwintered plants last spring, but lost most of them and ones that survived didn’t produce very well either.

Peppers — especially pointy fruited hots and sweets — are easy to overwinter.

[applestar]

...I say that, but I do have some pepper seedlings growing as you can see... here are a few more —



just not as MANY as tomato seedlings....

[digitS']

....I AM disappointed that the eggplant seeds are yet again giving me trouble — ...

Peppers — especially pointy fruited hots and sweets — are easy to overwinter.

It isn't so easy for peppers and eggplant to grow in the conditions I provide for them before they are set out. Once in the garden, conditions are even worse but the plants have developed some strength.

I seem to have learned that peppers producing fruit with multiple lobes must have to try harder. Pointed fruit varieties do better for me and I'm just keeping them through the growing season.

I have human company in the South Room so all plant starts are out of the house. Even a last few containers with with no seed emerging are in the greenhouse. Conditions there are generally cooler than in the house except for sunny days and we have not had many of those. The greenhouse has somewhat better light than the South Window but the peppers and eggplant really want the warmth.

I have a container of eggplant seedlings started just about earlier than anything else. They are just sitting there on the bench now, for about 10 days. It looks like they have made zero growth!

Steve

[applestar]

Can you put something black under them? Maybe a black tote/storage box with black lid filled with water? Black stock tank with a cover ... if you are doing that, maybe even connect to a solar water heater (DIY or otherwise).