What Are Some Tips for Successful Gardening?

[Pengwuino]

The plant does but the peppers seem to have good shading by the leaves.

 

[Evo]

The plant does but the peppers seem to have good shading by the leaves.

If the peppers got water on them in the sun, the water acts as a magnifying lens.

If it's not sun scaled, it would be a bacterial or fungal problem. Hope it's sunscald.

If you think it's the former, I use a spray of Ortho Garden disease control.

 

[Andre]

Thanks for the tips, I'll start fertilizing it a bit every week and see how the plant responds. ...

Notice, Monique, that these orchids are sold in clear plastic containers and that the roots are green. You'll be surprised about the productivity if you put them in clear glass pots, as the roots love light too.

Edit: this shows the idea:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22026080/IMG_8456-1.jpg

I guess I'll separate the daughter after blooming in a few months of the one of the left. On the right some novelty that I found recently.

 

[rhody]

Time for a little update, here are some ripening pods, scorpions:
The last picture is of sweet peppers I put in the ground 3 weeks ago, the sweets grew more in three weeks
than the supers in the first images did in three months, very frustrating. Look at the difference in the size of the plants, the moruga's hottest
currently are the most slow growing but also have the most seeds in the pods.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3747/15443077.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5074/31440929.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8721/bhutafterpruning.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9118/sweetsq.jpg

Rhody...

 

[Monique]

Notice, Monique, that these orchids are sold in clear plastic containers and that the roots are green. You'll be surprised about the productivity if you put them in clear glass pots, as the roots love light too.

Good point, never thought of that. I bought the containers, because they were the only ones that I could find with holes in the bottom. How do you water an orchid when in a glass container, you hold it upside down to remove the extra water? Smart presentation in the second picture

I've relocated the dormant Phal to the bathroom, hopefully it will regain its youth in the humid environment.

The other day I saw blue orchid plants at the flower market, would they be real or dyed? I didn't dare ask, afraid to offend the seller *edit* apparently it's a new technology to inject dye in the flowering stem, I'm not buying that.

 

[Andre]

Good point, never thought of that. I bought the containers, because they were the only ones that I could find with holes in the bottom. How do you water an orchid when in a glass container, you hold it upside down to remove the extra water?

The beauty of a clear glass container is that you can see the roots and how moist they are and if there is water on the bottom. You just want to see some condensed water on the glass. When that's (mostly) gone, it's time for a few drops of water. Also, as I learned recently, it's recommended to add a bit of sphagnum in between the bark chips.

Indeed about holes in the pot, as the roots also do photo synthesis, there should be a CO2 source and holes in the glass could provide some circulation. But the decomposing bark and sphagnum also produce some CO2.

The other day I saw blue orchid plants at the flower market, would they be real or dyed? I didn't dare ask, afraid to offend the seller *edit* apparently it's a new technology to inject dye in the flowering stem, I'm not buying that.

Indeed there are no blue phalaenopsis, and you can see that the leaves also have a blue hue over them. But if you buy them and watch the next blooming period, you're likely going to see white flowers.

There are true (violetish) blue orchids though, in the genus Vanda:

 

[Monique]

The beauty of a clear glass container is that you can see the roots and how moist they are and if there is water on the bottom.

Indeed, I like seeing the root system: aesthetically and to keep an eye on their condition. An added advantage: they won't get knocked over so easily in a glass vase. I'll try that out soon.

Indeed there are no blue phalaenopsis, and you can see that the leaves also have a blue hue over them. But if you buy them and watch the next blooming period, you're likely going to see white flowers.

That's exactly what I thought, also the veins were more prominently blue than the flower pedals. It's strange, the previous time I bought something from the seller he was really proud to have the most extensive collection of orchids, I wouldn't expect such 'fake' plants there.

 

[NeoDevin]

Do all orchids prefer clear containers? I have a couple that I haven't been able to get to bloom yet, wonder if that would help?

 

[Andre]

Do all orchids prefer clear containers? I have a couple that I haven't been able to get to bloom yet, wonder if that would help?

No not all, but many orchids are epiphytes like most of the popular Phalaenopsis. And their roots are used to (like to have) light.

Other species certainly don't like light on the roots like the Lady's-slipper orchid.

 

[turbo]

Our Pink Lady Slippers are quite showy, and they grow in shaded acid soils. They are endangered and do not transplant well, anyway, so they should not be moved. The time to look for these orchids is when the mosquitoes first come out to bite you. Then you head out to the piney woods and get bit over and over again while you try to get pictures. I haven't gone out orchid-hunting since the days of film, so maybe I should try to get some shots next spring.

http://www.google.com/search?q=pink...u5WUCA&sqi=2&ved=0CEgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1099&bih=908

 

[Evo]

I do container gardening and the sun is too hot for me to set the plants in the direct sun. because the plants are in containers above ground, the roots are surrounded by heat so they get a double whammy. Thier roots are being baked. Even kept well watered, they wilt in direct sun. It's amazing that there is a 20F degree difference between sun and shade.

Between the heat and the squirrels, I'll be suprised if I get anything. The only exception are my jalapenos, they are they only things producing and not being eaten.

 

[dlgoff]

I'm having the same problem as Evo with my tomatoes in containers. I have gotten some nice fruit from them though. The tomatoes in the garden are doing much better; lots of BLTs.

 

[Evo]

I'm having the same problem as Evo with my tomatoes in containers. I have gotten some nice fruit from them though. The tomatoes in the garden are doing much better; lots of BLTs.

My tomatoes have gone into suspended animation, tons of obviously pollinated blooms are just sitting there, no tomatoes are growing, but the blossoms don't drop. I have noticed this before, the blossoms don't change for a month or two, then suddenly the tomato will start to grow. If this is the case with my plants due to the heat, I should have a bumper crop starting in the fall, squirrels willing.

 

[turbo]

Most of the vegetables are stunted this year, but for some reason the broccoli is doing very well. My wife harvested 5 heads this morning, all quite fat and over 6" across. I know we'll have tonight for a steamed vegetable at supper time.

 

[Dr Transport]

My containers are going crazy, I put a shade over them during the past couple of weeks to keep the direct sun off of them. My squash and sweet potatoes are absolutely insane, the squash is growing about 2 feet a week and I am seeing upwards of 30 set fruit. The sweet potatoes were gnawed on by some deer a month ago, but have rebounded. Picking tomatoes at the rate of 2 a day with a bushel or more getting ready to come due here in a couple of weeks.

 

[Astronuc]

Some rain finally came and spared us from a stage-1 drought. Now we'll wait and see if we get more rain or not.

We've got one tomato plant that seems to be doing well. It's growing out of the compost bin next to a squash plant. Both get partial sun - shade in morning and later afternoon, but sun overhead late morning to late afternoon. It'll be interesting to see what they produce.

Meanwhile - late blight has been discovered at a local CSA. It looks like all the tomatoes and potatoes will have be removed. We were fortnate at home not to get contaminated plants a few years ago.

 

[turbo]

Meanwhile - late blight has been discovered at a local CSA. It looks like all the tomatoes and potatoes will have be removed. We were fortnate at home not to get contaminated plants a few years ago.

We got hit by late blight last year and had to strip out tomato plants. My occasional neighbor planted potatoes as well as tomatoes. Not a good idea. If any of her plants develop late blight, she will lose both crops.

When I was a kid my extended family planted potatoes in two fields far from our gardens. That way we always got potatoes (a staple for French and Irish families). One field was high and dry, and the other was on bottom-land at the river's edge, so come drought or heavy rain one field or the other usually beat the odds.

 

[turbo]

My wife planted Chinese lantern plants in her little rock-walled flower garden. What a miscalculation! That stuff is MEAN! It spreads worse than bee-balm or other mints. If you buy a Chinese lantern plant, be careful where you plant it, because it will be there forever.

 

[Evo]

My wife planted Chinese lantern plants in her little rock-walled flower garden. What a miscalculation! That stuff is MEAN! It spreads worse than bee-balm or other mints. If you buy a Chinese lantern plant, be careful where you plant it, because it will be there forever.

Oh, I had some of those growing as weeds in the back yard of my old house. I could never get rid of them.

 

[turbo]

Oh, I had some of those growing as weeds in the back yard of my old house. I could never get rid of them.

One of our nieces dropped in yesterday and wanted a plant. I warned her, and cautioned her to pick a place far away from any plants that she values.

 

[dlgoff]

I only planted one row in my garden this year so I could eradicate the Portulaca oleracea.

It looks like PastureGard^® HL has done the trick. I'll give the garden a light top till and reapply if necessary.

 

[Ouabache]

I only planted one row in my garden this year so I could eradicate the Portulaca oleracea.

It looks like PastureGard^® HL has done the trick. I'll give the garden a light top till and reapply if necessary.

Rather than spray poison. Why not pick them?
Purslane is a wonderful wild edible.
Did you scroll down your link and read about all their culinary uses?

 

[turbo]

Pig-weed is impossible to get rid of. It can grow on bare gravel lots with such poor soil...

 

[dlgoff]

Rather than spray poison. Why not pick them?
Purslane is a wonderful wild edible.

I'd rather eat the dirt they're grow in.

 

[turbo]

I'd rather eat the dirt they're grow in.

Me too. Purslane is not tasty.

 

[dlgoff]

Pig-weed is impossible to get rid of. It can grow on bare gravel lots with such poor soil...

This chemical is very potent (1/2 oz/gal) and designed to kill the roots. It's been a week or so and I haven't seen any growing. I'll till the top couple of inches and see if any root nodules sprout. If so, I'll reapply.

 

[Monique]

Two weeks later and my orchid flower buds haven't opened yet, what would be a usual timeframe for them to develop?

Does anyone own a ZZ plant? I bought a beautiful big plant, but half the plant has already disappeared due to stem rot and the process is continuing. I tried watering it very little, up to the point that one of the plant's underground water sacks completely dried out. Today I pulled out another stem with rot at the bottom. Anyone with experience? My other plants are thriving.

 

[Andre]

Two weeks later and my orchid flower buds haven't opened yet, what would be a usual timeframe for them to develop?

That takes indeed weeks. Don't despair yet, if the leaves are still nice and smooth, not wrinkled, it should be okay. Maybe take a picture every few days and compare them to see the changes.

Does anyone own a ZZ plant? .. stem rot ...

Used to have one, always healthy, it finally outgrew us, so we left it at one of the many moves. I think that rot / mold means a pest, fungi, bacterea, mites, aphids, white fly etc. It could be that the best cure is replacing.

 

[Evo]

THEY'RE HERE!

AAARRGGHH!

I found 4 baby hornworms on one of my plants today. Check your plants!

 

[lisab]

THEY'RE HERE!

AAARRGGHH!

I found 4 baby hornworms on one of my plants today. Check your plants!

Did they look like this?

 

[Evo]

did they look like this?

http://www.gifs.net/animation11/jobs_and_people/musicians_and_singers/worm_with_horn.gif

yes!

 

[rhody]

Funny what peppers are capable of eh ? These are trinidad scorpions, notice how some pods appear stunted and shaped differently, these are very hot.
Unpleasant actually, the burn they leave in your throat is like lava.

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/6552/scorpion5.jpg

And speaking of stunted growth, I am pretty sure these are Brain Strains or Butch t's. Note how the pods don't have placenta or seeds in them. Three people who have tried these stunted beauties said, I almost hallucinated from them, I felt like I left my body about one half hour eating them, and my own observation, I have never seen such heat from such a small package. Beware, these were given to me and the person who gave them to me wasn't sure what they were. The experts at THP clued me in with visual proof as to their origins. Smart folk over there...

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7701/mysterypods1.jpg

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/4596/wiriwiriopen.jpg

I bet some of you have given up on me, the good news is that I haven't given up on me either, just in a big transition in life. When it is all over and settled I will share my journey. It will not be boring I assure you and not without twists and turns. Perhaps some day, my account will help others.

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

I have not given up on you, Rhody. We all have our travails. In the last few years, personal health issues, and hatred in my wife's family have stressed me incredibly. My garden is a chance at solace. Even just weeding and hoeing are comforting. This year's green pepper plants are stunted and crappy-looking, but they are producing a wonderful crop of peppers - big and firm.

 

[NeoDevin]

I asked my son what he wanted to grow this year, and he answered pumpkins. So I picked up a package of pumpkin seeds (the package said they were supposed to be GIANT pumpkins), and we started 6 of them indoors, before the ground was thawed. Only five sprouted, which we planted in the garden after the chance of frost was passed. Of those, only one survived longer than a week (I think a rabbit or a cat was involved in the demise of three of them, the other one just spontaneously died). The last one has taken over most of the garden (it actually had another branch, bigger than any of these ones, growing into the neighbor's yard, which eventually broke, and they removed for me), and has only just set a single fruit now. The fruit is looking a little yellow, so I don't know if it will keep growing or not, I hope so.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...iI/AAAAAAAADAM/czeVZ7EvCjc/s1057/IMG_0203.JPG

 

[dlgoff]

I bet some of you have given up on me, the good news is that I haven't given up on me either, just in a big transition in life.

Your family rhody. We'll be here for you.

 

[Monique]

That takes indeed weeks. Don't despair yet, if the leaves are still nice and smooth, not wrinkled, it should be okay. Maybe take a picture every few days and compare them to see the changes.

You were right! A week ago I noticed the outer segments of the first bud started separating and now today it is starting to look like flower I think it is a big groggy though, but hopefully it will open further within the next few days (and hopefully the other buds will follow the example).

A break-through, it's the first time in many years that the bud has opened. Thanks everyone for the advice, I think it helped. I spray the plant now several times a day and I've added some fertilizer when watering. I'm still planning to put them in a glass container. What should I do with the dying leaf, cut it off or let nature take it's time?

 

[turbo]

Pulled all the garlic today. I'm taking a break in the AC with a beer. In many cases, the Russian garlic bulbs were bigger than the German (quite a reversal!). I have bunched and hung up the German garlic, then I'll have to tie up and hang the Russian stuff. Hope it gets cooler out there.

 

[Ms Music]

Speaking of garlic, I have been meaning to ask... My garlic turned out very mild. It is probably because I grew it in pots, and one was crowded, but I am not positive since I have never grown it before. The question though is for saving seed to plant. If ALL the bulbs are mild, by planting the bulb in fall, am I doomed to have mild garlic next year? Do I just eat all of the bulbs and order more? Or if grown properly this winter, will it be hot next year?

And for the reference, this is what I have: http://www.territorialseed.com/product/1299/26

 

[Evo]

You were right! A week ago I noticed the outer segments of the first bud started separating and now today it is starting to look like flower I think it is a big groggy though, but hopefully it will open further within the next few days (and hopefully the other buds will follow the example).

A break-through, it's the first time in many years that the bud has opened. Thanks everyone for the advice, I think it helped. I spray the plant now several times a day and I've added some fertilizer when watering. I'm still planning to put them in a glass container. What should I do with the dying leaf, cut it off or let nature take it's time?

That's wonderful Monique! I am afraid to try my hand at orchids. I also love gardenias, but every time I buy one, the blooms turn brown and fall off instead of opening, and I'm afraid it will be the same with orchids.

 

[turbo]

Speaking of garlic, I have been meaning to ask... My garlic turned out very mild. It is probably because I grew it in pots, and one was crowded, but I am not positive since I have never grown it before. The question though is for saving seed to plant. If ALL the bulbs are mild, by planting the bulb in fall, am I doomed to have mild garlic next year? Do I just eat all of the bulbs and order more? Or if grown properly this winter, will it be hot next year?

And for the reference, this is what I have: http://www.territorialseed.com/product/1299/26

I don't know if mild begets mild. My hardneck garlics are remarkably consistent in taste and quality, though. The German garlic has very large cloves, and is a bit milder than the Russsian, which has lots of smaller cloves and a slightly more pungent odor/flavor. If you can get 'hold of Russian hardneck garlic, I recommend that you try it. It yields well, and you don't have to reserve as many bulbs for replanting, because there a lot more cloves/bulb than the German garlic (for instance). I wish had information for you, but I only have experience with these two varieties.

You can buy cloves for planting from Johnny's Selected Seeds starting in early fall, but it will be quite expensive, so you'll have to save some of your bulbs to re-plant the next fall. I plant just before the ground starts getting frozen and mulch heavily with oat straw. It seems to work. Garlic needs no more attention than that, apart from removing the scapes when they curl over, and the central swelling has emerged. The tips of the scapes are tough and stringy, but the bases of the scapes are wonderful grilled or in stir-fries.

Good luck.

Nice graphic for the fair this year. Many people have no clue what scapes are, so some education is in order. At any rate, by the time this Fall fair arrives, scape season is months behind us.
http://www.mofga.org/TheFair/FairNews/tabid/634/Default.aspx

 

[Ms Music]

All right, I will replant the bulbs and try it, unless anyone else has experienced this. It is very possible that the large bulbs will be hotter, but I won't know until I try them! I am saving them for last though, probably for planting. I put one bulb into 3 pots (3/3/and 4) and the pot with 4 bulbs never had scapes, were small, and browned up EARLY. If they all come out mild again next year, I will buy more (or bribe one off the friend that gave me this one in trade of ghost seeds). But this time I think I will try putting them in the ground. I thought pots would work better in case we had a very wet summer, I could put the pots under the eaves to dry up. But we didn't get quite as much rain as the past few summers, so rot hasn't been an issue this year.

I am thinking next year I may branch out into two varieties, there is one called Music that sounds good. Guess why? Oh, it happens to produce well in the Pacific Northwest. Also the long storage. http://www.territorialseed.com/product/1302

 

[turbo]

When I pull garlic, I hang it in a shaded place by the fronds. There are still nutrients in those green leaves which can be absorbed as the fronds dry out. If your winters are not cold, you can wait until late December or so to get those cloves in the ground, and cover with a good layer of oat straw. I try to keep the cloves separated by about 6" or so, so when the bulbs develop, they won't be crowded. That might be tough, depending on what kind of pots you have. Window-boxes might work out OK, if you don't have any garden-plot. Another wrinkle - the soil in my garden-spot was rocky with lots of clay, so I tilled in composted manure from a dairy farm. The next year, I tilled in coarse sand, too, and the yields went up (sizes of the bulbs). Still learning... Another tip: as you are separating the gloves in preparation for planting, keep an eye on any cloves that seem misshapen and reserve those for cooking. It is not uncommon to have double-cloves in one skin and if you plant them, you'll end up with one bulb for each half, and they crowd each other.

Good luck

 

[ZapperZ]

You were right! A week ago I noticed the outer segments of the first bud started separating and now today it is starting to look like flower I think it is a big groggy though, but hopefully it will open further within the next few days (and hopefully the other buds will follow the example).

A break-through, it's the first time in many years that the bud has opened. Thanks everyone for the advice, I think it helped. I spray the plant now several times a day and I've added some fertilizer when watering. I'm still planning to put them in a glass container. What should I do with the dying leaf, cut it off or let nature take it's time?

Congratulations!

As for the dying leaf, don't do anything to it until after it has done with its flowers. After that, you should cut off the dying/drying leafs. Make sure you use a sharp, clean scissors prevent transferring any diseases to the plant.

You may also cut back on fertilizing after the flowering is done, such as every other week or so.

Zz.

 

[Ms Music]

My garlic turned out very mild.

I take that back! I had a part last weekend, and they were all garlic lovers. I took out a bulb, complaining about how mild it was. Well, this small bulb wound up only having 4 cloves, and they were nice and fat. AND HOT AND SPICY. Everyone raved about how amazing my garlic was! The only problem is that after 3 days of eating delicious garlicky food, my stomach decided to burn a hole to China. It is actually TOO spicy for me. But OHHH SO delicious!

I will be expanding my garlic plot this winter.

Turbo, I now see what you mean. Nothing compares to home grown garlic. The mild ones were probably the ones that never threw scapes.

 

[turbo]

Turbo, I now see what you mean. Nothing compares to home grown garlic. The mild ones were probably the ones that never threw scapes.

Home-grown is the only way. I didn't grow enough this year, and there are too many people wanting some for themselves. If I double up next year (intended) I will have to save more for planting this fall, and the people clamoring for more will have to buy their own.

 

[turbo]

People keep wanting me to "start" them growing garlic, but that takes a lot of cloves, and the lady who runs the local artisan butcher shop wants more and more. She can't keep it in stock, now that her customers want it. I'll have to double up (at least) this fall, and even at $5/#, she will take all we can deliver. She is selling single bulbs of garlic for a dollar, and it disappears out of her cooler.

 

[Ms Music]

Hey, my friend just gave me one bulb last year. 10 cloves. I will have to rely on the grocery store for winter use, but in a couple years I will have surplus for giving away to family and friends. Hoping to plant 3 bulbs this year. Have them try it out and expand every year. They can do it if they want to. And in the mean time, you can get more $$ per bulb for seed than food. :)

Actually, I also had planted 3 cloves from a grocery store bulb that had sprouted, and I just cracked into one of those. Pretty darned tasty there too, so they have options.

But it is more fun to be the garlic man and provide the store and have her brag about you.

 

[turbo]

But it is more fun to be the garlic man and provide the store and have her brag about you.

Tracy is a monster in that regard. She wants all our extra garlic, and I'm thinking that we should at least double our output this year. She can sell it all, no problem.

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/madison-kniffins-new-menu-to-feature-serious-pizza_2010-10-02.html

A couple of years ago, I stopped into the local elementary school where the "community garden" is, to give a friend some garlic. There was another woman there that I had had known for years, and I gave her "starter" garlic, too, and a very pretty young lady came running up to me saying "you're the garlic-man"! so she cleaned me out of my extra garlic. I hope those 3 ladies made wise use of those cloves. I can't afford to keep supplying them over and over.

 

[turbo]

The cabbage whites have been out in force for a couple of weeks now, so we have to be very diligent about soaking the broccoli in salt water for an hour or two or be resigned to getting some extra protein with our vegetables.

 

[Evo]

Finally, my tomatoes have put out little green tomatoes that have not yet been eaten by squirrels. Unfortunately, the squirrels seems to be able to levitate.

I have not had one single bell pepper set. After almost being killed by squirrels several times earlier in the summer, then the heat wave, it's been a bust. It's about to bloom again, we'll see. The eggplants put out blooms, but not one has set. I have never had a year where bell peppers and eggplant didn't set.

So far the only success is the jalapenos. They've been putting out all year.

Hopefully we get an Indian Summer and I get something.