
I have not been too successful with certain aspects of growing vegetables over here. The seasons (as I am familiar with them in Penna.) are a bit accelerated here. I have a fig tree, eggplants, tomato, mint, strawberry and a lime tree (small limes).
The Issues
-The fig is fine, some leaves have dropped (probably from the 'winter') but there is no fruit.
-The strawberry is brand new and seems to require a lot of water.
-The lime tree is very slow moving on producing fruit.
-The eggplants are new as well, but they seem to be losing a little color from when I got them a week ago.
-The mint is basically fine.
-The tomato has been my biggest concern. Its leaves are starting to yellow and curl...they have plenty of water, and are in the sun a lot but I am thinking it may even be too hot for the tomatoes.
**Overall, things aren't horrible, but they aren't great. On top of the veggie concerns, I am wondering:
-is the sun too intense?
-is planting the veggies in potting soil bad for drainage?
-do I need more sun, less sun, more shade, plants inside, etc.?
Environmental factors
-temps up to 105 by 4 pm for the next month (April)
-temps up to 125 by 4pm May to August
-hard water (I do have cool water)
-afternoon sun hits the balcony (6 hours maximum)
-I can make shade, if need be
-plants are in various sized pots with potting soil or sandy soil
-my balcony is off the living room (with big tinted windows), so I can provide some filtered air-conditioned sunlight inside
I do have some plant food I brought from the states. It is 'Jack's Classic' Acid Special 17-6-6 with micronutrients (for acid loving plants). Now, growing up in the Penna. woods, I am not used to using a lot of plant food....things just grow.
Questions:
-What can i do to help these babies grow and produce fruit/veggies?
-Should I use the plant food for any of these plants?
-Is the potting soil okay, or should I change it out/alter it in any way?
-What are your opinions on the extreme heat?
Thank you, thank you, thank you