Green thumbs and dirty fingers.

[kikmosa]

In the south United States, we often grow potatoes in old watering troughs or bathtubs. We add in about 4 inches of good soil and then use old hay or straw to fill in as needed. That allows drainage and allows us to pull the hay aside and harvest small potatoes to boil. We also use old hay bales to make an inclosure and grow the potatoes in that. That has the advantage of making a great compost as the hay breaks down.

Does anyone know how to start strawberries from seed? I ordered some for blue strawberries but I've never tried to grow them from seed before. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Kalamain]

In the south United States, we often grow potatoes in old watering troughs or bathtubs. We add in about 4 inches of good soil and then use old hay or straw to fill in as needed. That allows drainage and allows us to pull the hay aside and harvest small potatoes to boil. We also use old hay bales to make an inclosure and grow the potatoes in that. That has the advantage of making a great compost as the hay breaks down.

Does anyone know how to start strawberries from seed? I ordered some for blue strawberries but I've never tried to grow them from seed before. Any tips would be appreciated.

Hiya. Thank you for posting!

I've heard of the potatoes in straw...We can't do it over here... Too wet the straw rots too quick and spoils the potatoes.

To grow from seed... Try the paper/bag method.
If you have bought the seeds then you can go straight in..
If you got the seeds off some fruit you will have to let the seeds dry out for a few days (A week really) before you do the next bit.

Put the seeds on a piece of kitchen/paper towel (Or a clean coffee filter) and fold it and get it a little wet.... Not sopping wet. then put it in ziplock sandwich bag and put it on a bright sunny window.

After about a week check on it. With luck the seeds will have sprouted and a tiny root will be seen.

From there you can (carefully) transplant it into some soil and leave it on a windowsill until it gets established.
Once its about gotten ahead you can start hardening it to the outside weather over a few days.

Good luck!
BTW... Blue strawberries don't taste like normal strawberries. I didn't care much for them when I had them. But mind were bought from a shop so I may have gotten a duff batch. *shrug*

 

[kikmosa]

Hiya. Thank you for posting!

To grow from seed... Try the paper/bag method.

Put the seeds on a piece of kitchen/paper towel (Or a clean coffee filter) and fold it and get it a little wet.... Not sopping wet. then put it in ziplock sandwich bag and put it on a bright sunny window.

Good luck!
BTW... Blue strawberries don't taste like normal strawberries. I didn't care much for them when I had them. But mind were bought from a shop so I may have gotten a duff batch. *shrug*

I bought them online. I like growing weird things so I bought both blue and black strawberry seed. Also black cherry tomatoes and purple cherry tomatoes. Just for fun things. Do you know if I'll get berries next year or will it take longer?

 

[Kalamain]

I bought them online. I like growing weird things so I bought both blue and black strawberry seed. Also black cherry tomatoes and purple cherry tomatoes. Just for fun things. Do you know if I'll get berries next year or will it take longer?

Never heard of BLACK strawberries.
I don't see why you won't get them both this year and next... And on and on if you harvest seeds from fruit.

With the strawberries, if they are F1 varieties, then you MUST take offshoots (runners) or you may lose the colouring.

With the tomatoes, again if F1, the seeds from the fruit may well not breed true. So be aware of that. Otherwise you should keep getting fruit year on year with planting.

I love the idea of growing weird things. One of the guys I work with grew purple carrots. They were just purple skinned and not quite as sweet as normal orange ones.
I want to try tomberries... but I seem to have missed the season and no-one has any seeds floating around.

 

[kikmosa]

Never heard of BLACK strawberries.

I want to try tomberries... but I seem to have missed the season and no-one has any seeds floating around.

Try looking on E-bay. There are so many types of seeds there. Many of the companies are non-gmo and heirloom, heritage varieties. Yes, there are black, blue, green, yellow, pink, purple and many other color strawberries. The options are endless on seeds.

 

[Kalamain]

Try looking on E-bay. There are so many types of seeds there. Many of the companies are non-gmo and heirloom, heritage varieties. Yes, there are black, blue, green, yellow, pink, purple and many other color strawberries. The options are endless on seeds.

Tomberries have not made it to the seed phase yet. Its a new crop and the only way to get the seeds is to buy them from the company at amazing prices or get your own.
typically I missed the boat on this one.

And I have seen a few colours of fruit... But never a BLACK one... Black is not an easy colour to get in nature. Its usually a deep blue or purple that looks black.

 

[kikmosa]

And I have seen a few colours of fruit... But never a BLACK one... Black is not an easy colour to get in nature. Its usually a deep blue or purple that looks black.

I know they probably won't be true black but they should be fun anyway. I also doubt that the blue ones are as blue as the picture shows. Still fun.

I saw a commit about growing a garden in layers with short plants in front to larger plants in back. There is an okra plant that I've used in that manner. It's very big when grown, the leaves are huge and the colour is beautiful. The stems, leaf ribs and okra pods are a deep burgundy. It make a great focus plant and produces plenty of okra to eat. Good duel purpose plant.
I myself don't care for okra but I grow it and give it away just because the plant is so pretty. Same thing with tomatoes. I can't eat them but I love growing them. My friends love my garden, lol.

 

[Kalamain]

I know they probably won't be true black but they should be fun anyway. I also doubt that the blue ones are as blue as the picture shows. Still fun.

I saw a commit about growing a garden in layers with short plants in front to larger plants in back. There is an okra plant that I've used in that manner. It's very big when grown, the leaves are huge and the colour is beautiful. The stems, leaf ribs and okra pods are a deep burgundy. It make a great focus plant and produces plenty of okra to eat. Good duel purpose plant.
I myself don't care for okra but I grow it and give it away just because the plant is so pretty. Same thing with tomatoes. I can't eat them but I love growing them. My friends love my garden, lol.

Yes... Layers are a VERY good idea. Not only short to tall, front to back. Some plants need a bit of shade in very hot places. Some plants will provide dappled shade to more delicate plants.

There is also a big thing for companion planting.

Another big one is planting sacrificial plant so that pests will attack THAT one... But leave your other plants alone.

I have been growing chillies for shits and giggles and giving all the cropping away. I guess that's the same.

Are you growing for actual food or to supplement your kitchen larder... Or is this just for fun? If its for fun then I would just try EVERYTHING... If you are actually growing for food then do you really have the space to waste on growing crops?

 

[Wild_Honey_66]

Yes... Layers are a VERY good idea. Not only short to tall, front to back. Some plants need a bit of shade in very hot places. Some plants will provide dappled shade to more delicate plants.

There is also a big thing for companion planting.

Another big one is planting sacrificial plant so that pests will attack THAT one... But leave your other plants alone.

I have been growing chillies for shits and giggles and giving all the cropping away. I guess that's the same.

Are you growing for actual food or to supplement your kitchen larder... Or is this just for fun? If its for fun then I would just try EVERYTHING... If you are actually growing for food then do you really have the space to waste on growing crops?

companion planting--that's what it's called!

E and I were talking about that the other day, and I knew there was a term for it, just couldn't remember....thanks!

 

[Kalamain]

companion planting--that's what it's called!

E and I were talking about that the other day, and I knew there was a term for it, just couldn't remember....thanks!

Welcome!

A couple of links on what does what
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/comp...-chart-herbal-gardens-1-638.jpg?cb=1355000614

http://dbellamy.customer.netspace.net.au/bog/other/images/comp2.gif

 

[Kalamain]

Just a quick post.

This morning I have decided that, with Spring around the corner, I need to take a little care of my indoor plants and because of this I decided to put a couple of hints and tips for those very necessary spring jobs.

Clean the leaves.
Not so easy for thinner leaf plants like Dracaena but still a job that needs to be done.
Take a clean, damp cloth and gently wipe the leaves from the stem to the tip. You may want to place your other have under the leaf to support it and prevent damage.
Larger leaf plants will definitely need support when cleaning.

I would SERIOUSLY avoid using milk, wax or any of those shop bought leaf cleaning sprays you can get. Milk and wax can clog the pores of the plant and the expensive leaf clean/shine sprays are just water with wax in them. AVOID!

Avoid using paper towels for cleaning... These can be abrasive to the top layer of the leaf. The best is an old well worn t-shirt that is ready for the bin.
Also consider keeping an old toothbrush that has lost its stiffness. this is really good for cleaning hairy plants like African Violets or the Purple Passion (or Velvet) Plant.

Showering!
If you have larger plants that you can carry... Consider taking them into the shower and giving them a rinse. Just remember to take them out of their saucers and outer pots and not use any power settings and keep the temperature gentle.
Leave them to drip dry in the shower before returning to their homes.

If the plant is too big to move then give it a mist before you wipe it.

Clean your pots
If your plant is in a tray or outer pot give this a clean too and empty out any build-ups such as lime if you have hard water, or soil that has worked its way out of the holes.
Its also a good idea to see if there is any root protrusion. This is one of the signs that the plant is ready for re-potting.
While you have the plant in hand give it a smell. If there is any bad smells there may be issues.

Have a great day!

 

[kikmosa]

Are you growing for actual food or to supplement your kitchen larder... Or is this just for fun? If its for fun then I would just try EVERYTHING... If you are actually growing for food then do you really have the space to waste on growing crops?

I do eat some of it but most is for fun. I do live in a community of mostly retired people so I give most of what I grow to them. I love to watch their eyes light up when you hand over fresh tomatoes or beans. Never have to worry about anything going to waste. That gives me the chance to try new things because I know someone will eat it.

 

[L0tus]

If spring hurries, I can finally send you that picture of my bush which isn't in inverted colors!

 

[Kalamain]

If spring hurries, I can finally send you that picture of my bush which isn't in inverted colors!

Whoa there, missy! Oh... Plants...We are talking about plants. *ahem* I knew that!

Which plant are we talking about?

 

[Wild_Honey_66]

Dear Dirty Fingers Litster,

I bought an orchid! Please help me not kill it?


Signed,
Two Black Thumbs Litster

 

[Hypoxia]

I am waiting for the mantids to emerge. They eat the plant-eating bugs. I like that.

I used to grow foods. I had to, economically. Now I grow herbs, but only for fun.

(I know folks who grow other stuff but I can't really talk about them, y'know?)

I grew up in Grandpa's walnut orchard. One can become allergic to walnuts. Oy.

I live in a conifer forest. No orchids. Daffodils here and there. I don't notice daffodils.

 

[Kalamain]

Dear Dirty Fingers Litster,

I bought an orchid! Please help me not kill it?


Signed,
Two Black Thumbs Litster

Ok.... First question.... Which KIND of Orchid?

Some Orchids need special watering patterns.
Most like an even watering with a little drying out period. Some do not.

Your plant should have some in a pot with good drainage. If you put that in another pot then make sure you can easily tell if the roots are poking through and if it's sitting in water or not. Having a saucer is perfect.
A good general rule of thumb is to wait if unsure.

Don't forget to NOT water a plant with water straight from the tap.
Let the water sit for a bit to bring the temperature up. Ideally when you water a plant refill the pot THEN and let it sit, ready for next time.

It will need a fair bit of light... But seeing where you are you will still need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get too much sun!
You want to watch for the leaves turning red tinged or blotchy.
If the leaves are a dark green then there is not enough light. You want to keep a bright green colour.

 

[Kalamain]

I am waiting for the mantids to emerge. They eat the plant-eating bugs. I like that.

You should tell them to get on their bikes and pedal faster!

Over here our greatest friends are the birds and the ladybugs. They do the makority of the hard work clearing out pests.
I'd rather use nature than a pesticide!

 

[Kalamain]

Just a tiny update.
Its been a nice day today in my bit of the UK... So I took some photo of my garden and made a new album on Flickr.
If you want to go look feel free!

Has anyone else noticed spring starting yet? Let me know!
Hope you are all having a great weekend!

 

[Mattswanders]

The in-thing for potatoes now seems to be towers. Everyone is vertical. Square off a spot with 4x4 s maybe a yard square and tack up plywood or row cover around it. If you have a decent growing season I've seen them grow 6ft tall. Fill in dirt and compost as it grows and additional plywood. 3-4 will help you make new topsoil for a lot of garden as well.

 

[Wild_Honey_66]

kitty bumps for a friend