Planting seeds

[mindehankins]

Ruth - Congratulations on your sprouts!! Can't wait for pics

I am wild about gardening, so is Mark, hence the recent Dahlia thread I'd love to start an "official" OT gardening thread, but we are headed into winter here!

Liamsaunt - a few months back I tried the avocado plant with no luck. Nothing. I spilt the bottom of the seed, put toothpicks in the sides and floated on water (just the bottom touching) in a glass. Are these testy? Or did I just use a bad seed?? How long do yours take to root?

We had luck with an avacado plant, but didn't split it, and it took forever to take root. We kept it in the dark (you probably already know this part).

[StJohnRuth]

Here they are! My little pomegranate pride and joys. (Should that be "prides and joys"? No idea. I have to get to work so I don't have time to research it.)
I told you they were tiny.

- Ruth

[StJohnRuth]

Some Mr. Smartypants just sent me a message asking how long until we're eating pomegranates. I told him five years, give or take, but I really haven't a clue.

[California Girl]

I've never been a fan of pomegranates for eating or drinking the juice, but I used to see them smashed everywhere when I was a kid. The kids in my neighborhood thought they were great to throw at one another... remember, we don't get snowballs here.

Ruth, your little sprouts are sooo cute! In that climate, they're going to be awesome! I'm thinking of trying a mango... do you have to let the seed dry out before you plant it?

[StJohnRuth]

I don't know if you have to let the seed dry out. My mango was pre-sprouted when Luna gave it to me. Actually, it was kind of cool, it was just the pit in this pot of soil that was like hardened concrete. The root system for this three-inch-tall mango seedling was completely contained within the shell of the pit itself. I smashed the hardened soil brick away and planted the whole thing and boy, was it happy! It took off.

Therefore, if I were to try it from scratch, I think I would use the same method as the avocado with the water and the toothpicks. Truth be told, it's more fun to do it that way than planting it because you can watch the progress. Just make sure to change the water every three to four days or as soon as it looks cloudy.

[California Girl]

Cool! Now all I have to do is find a mango this time of year! LOL!

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Hey, I love this gardening thread. I have not ever had much luck with planting anything from seed but...I have to share a HUGE green thumb joy!!!

My Orchid!! She has sprouted again. Some of you are familiar with my orchid, she was a gift at Christmas two and a half years ago from a co-worker. She did so, so well in my office and then, I left my job. Moved her home and nurtured her...hoping, hoping for a new bloom after the initial one died off. And then, I kid you not, it was Christmas morning last year, she had spouted a new bloom and I finally noticed it.

Well, she's doing it again. If I had a clue as to how to post a pic, I would. I cannot believe I have kept this baby alive and happy for this long.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Just sent two pics of my orchid to Margo. She tells me she'll do her wizardry and get them posted here. I THINK THERE ARE TWO BUDS!!! That would be amazing. Fingers crossed and I'll keep ya'll posted.

In the mean time, our bougainvillea (affectionately named "Ruth") isn't adjusting to the transition to the indoors so well. "Ron," the hibiscus, seems to be okay in here though. Ruth is going to get the major cut back to twig and 'roid treatment. She'll come back bigger and stronger than ever. I'm sure of it. She always does.

[California Girl]

Here are your pictures Marcia!

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Here are your pictures Marcia!

Thank you CALGAL!

Ruth, I want up-dates on your seedlings, as time goes by.

[mbw1024]

as time goes by.

oh I love that song......
anywho!

[California Girl]

This isn't "seed" related, but it is garden related. About 3 weeks ago we found this caterpiller in our garden. He looked "important" and although he was devouring an entire plant, we let him be and I looked him up on the internet. Turns out he was destined to become a Monarch butterfly. Then he disappeared.



Well, today look what we found! He was hanging in the sun drying his wings, as he had just emerged from the chrysalis (you can see hanging under the leaf). He eventually flew off, but it was so cool to see this transformation in our own yard!

[ifloat]

Here's the part of the Monarch life cycle you missed: When Butterflies Embrace.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shootandpoint/3739489563/" title="When Butterflies Embrace by Demicent, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/373 ... c7408f.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="When Butterflies Embrace"></a>

[greyhoundmom]

Went to State Fair yesterday, looking at flower exhibit and came across this plant. Very unusual with varigated pinkish green curly leaves. Anyone know about it?

[*Sunnie*]

lovin' the plant pictures everyone!

greyhoundmom - maybe Hypoestes? hard to tell from just a description of colors.

from one plant lover to the rest of you - here's some pics I snapped at work over the past couple of years.

Orchid spikes

http://picasaweb.google.com/AliSun.4u/M ... 3187305570

Orchid in bloom

http://picasaweb.google.com/AliSun.4u/M ... 5060299954

Anigozanthos

http://picasaweb.google.com/AliSun.4u/M ... 9437513794

More Anigozanthos

http://picasaweb.google.com/AliSun.4u/M ... 1300867714