Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Forced Bulbs and Germination In The Yard

Such a pretty iris. Thought they were crocus. Looking forward to other pots to bloom. Not spring yet but it's nice to see spring in bloom.I''m already enjoying the blooms of cherry blossom trees thinking spring arrived weeks ago. Amazing  with each warm spell the same trees erupt into bloom and have bloomed several times during the winter. Didn't think this was possible.


In the yard. No germination of the herbs yet.

Bulb planted in pots have start to emerge some undisturbed so far because they were covered.

Ones that weren't had been dug into. I replanted the bulbs in this pot.

Haven't removed the wire yet. Afraid of the squirrel attack although for some reason they have not yet been too bad with digging, eating bulbs and only taking bites and discarding them.

Can't kill last falls pansies although the foliage is damaged from cold and frost.


Florist hydrangea that I kept 2 years ago. Nice to see it survived.



Nice to see radishes germinated and looking so healthy although my scattering of seeds didn't do good because they're too close together. I'm afraid to move them but maybe by the weekend. That way they'll have a chance to make full sized radishes. After I harvest the cool season veggies I'm going to order a new cedar planter to go in their spot unless house repairs take priority. Several home repairs must be taken care of although this is would be with a gift form Christmas 2015 that I save for along with plans for a new stove once I finish my kitchen floor.

For some reason all except one type of seeds sown look the same. This is supposed to be lettuce. Maybe it's kale? That's what happens when you don't label things. Time will tell.

Different types of lettuce.

Can't remember if I sowed beets or carrots in this container. I'll have to wait to see. Hopefully more will germinate although the seeds were old.




Lettuce

Radishes again. So glad I direct sowed these.


Sunday, February 26, 2017

Transplanting Coleus

Coleus seedlings never disappoint and are one of the easiest seedlings to grow.


Leaving the smaller ones in the tray to grow more before removing.

One delphinium seedling. Hope it makes it.

Leaving the white centered ones in the tray also.


Only 3 chocolate covered cherry coleus survived.



African violets are loving the light on the seed shelf but will have to be moved soon for seedlings. I'm running out of space but still have a few seeds to start.


Tomatoes really look good and healthy. Glad I only sowed 3 because all 3 are doing well. 9 black krem tomatoes also germinated. I'll post them another day.

The healthier of 6 pelargoniums. Don't think I'll start the replacement seeds that came in the mail for mavrick and nano. If 4 survive that'll be enough..


Don't know why I thought the Russian kale was lettuce but recognized the leaves when it developed it's true leaves.

Hot peppers

About 8 foxgloves are hanging in there. This may take all summer to get them to some size and next year till bloom if they make it.

I love dill but it looks like a problem to grow and may do better direct sow outdoors. Lets see what happens to it.



Big leaf dusty miller about 8-9 seedlings hanging in there. I'll make time this week to transplant the ones that germinated and throw out the ones that didn't. A lot of seeds came in the pack so I can try them again.

Lettuce

Russian kale again.

Hot Peppers

Thyme was knocked over but I think I;ll have enough seedlings if they survive.

Was still holding out for more echinacea to germinate but I'll keep these 2 and throw the other pellets out.

Bergenia
Basil seems to be an easy herb to grow. I have 1 shred like rosemary seedling or it may be a weed, lol! Chives have not germinated. Maybe it's also difficult. I'll have to do some research on it.

Almost Spring



It's amazing how one hyacinth can light up a whole room with it's fragrance. Although many of the ones I forced were short due to not enough chill time, it didn't stop their fragrance no matter how small. I'm hooked and look forward to bulb forcing next fall. Crocus and tulips planted months ago and left in pots on the porch have started to emerge.  Forcing bulbs has become one of the most enjoyable parts of winter for me and although I don't have a greenhouse or conservatory, my small sunporch allowed the small fir trees bought to add a touch of green during the winter and bulbs, an enclosure to provide me some green and fragrance in the mist of days with less hours of light and flowers blooming. I'm excited seeing all the bulbs and perennials emerging from the soil. Lettuce and radishes sown last weekend were the first to emerge in the containers in the yard. I'll be more excited to see carrot and beet seedlings which I've never grown.


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Indoor Seedlings

Swiss Chard (I labled it as kale but of course it's chard, and not lettuce below but kale.)

Russian Kale

Bush tomatoes and hot peppers.

Simpson lettuce was old seed along with some yellow bell peppers. Don't think they'll germinate.

Echinacea


The surviving geraniums with one that won't make it below.


Time for the coleus to be separated.


Bergenia looks like that after all these weeks. Guess it's a slow grower, lol! You should see the few dusty miller large leaf seedlings.  

Dichondra is something I may not try again. Waiting patiently to see what more they'll do.

 Hosta seedlings have not germinated. Next time I'll start with the recommended cold treatment. About 4 begonia seedlings germinated but they're tiny as they usually are at this stage. One delphinium seedling germinated and 3 foxglove seedlings that are tiny specks and don't look helpful. I still would like to start black-eyed Susan vine, hyacinth bean vine, zinnias, dahlias, African daisies, and calendula.