Jan 29, 2009

Favourism killed the Toms

These are my precious heirloom tomato plants- expensive and scarce seeds, carefully monitored to grow to this healthy stage of plant's life. I spray down the balcony-garden with cooking oil and detergent mixed with water once in a while to keep pests in tab (or kill). Timing is crucial in sprays like that, strong sun rays will cook the plants through the oil deposited by the spray.

That morning, I took too long to feed and play with Kimi-the-kitten during her breakfast hour. By the time I sprayed down the plants, the sun is right at my tail, winding up the day with its best rays, which on this unfortunate day, will see the cooking of the tomato plants straight in their pot!

Here's a big blow to a gardener's work morale; an especially heavy one that came with clear knowledge on the burning effect of oil spray, and time of the killer-rays, yet I'd blatantly ignored them.

The Toms are buried with remorse. New seeds are sowed in their places. Hmm, will these new kids be willing to germinate for me after 'tasting' the unfortunate death of the generation before them... ...

6 comments:

LeatherneckJoe said...

If you get tired of replanting tomato seeds, try potted tomato plants instead. http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/category/buy-tomato-plants-cherry-tomatoes-heirloom-tomatoes-and-hybrid-tomatoes

Rummi, the gardener. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

oh no... poor tomato plants! so what time are you supposed to spray them instead? at night?

Rummi, the gardener. said...

oh well, if u really wanna koe, tats 6-plus in the mornin. that is first thing upon wakie, and before kimi-breakfast :D

however most ppl choose to spray in e evening, cos its more convenient. but many plants will 'shut' their leaves after sunset. this will prevent the spray from reaching some very important surfaces... tis do not apply to tomato leaves, its more like my habit.

Petunia Lee said...

Oh... we will commiserate together. Sob!

Rummi, the gardener. said...

petunialee,
sob sob, hug hug