Showing posts with label Fruit-vegetables. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fruit-vegetables. Show all posts
Dec 7, 2009
First aid to broken stem
What can a gardener do to a Roselle plant with broken main stem, who has shown great determination to continue staying alive for the last two weeks? -Splinting with chopsticks;)
Dec 4, 2009
These brainy-looking chaps are really, just average performers.
ID : German heirloom tomatoes, Riesentomate Aus Siebenburgen. Translated as 'brain tomato'. Indeed they look like lumps of brain...
Let's say, this tomato will make its presence as a talking piece, but hardly as a tasting piece.
So *strike out*, no more brainy-looking tomato plant.
Pic was taken before ripening. These are red tomatoes.
Let's say, this tomato will make its presence as a talking piece, but hardly as a tasting piece.
So *strike out*, no more brainy-looking tomato plant.
Pic was taken before ripening. These are red tomatoes.
Sep 8, 2009
The balcony evolved...
120kg of pebbles, One happy kitten, and A slimming plan, led to the maturing of our balcony-garden.
The pebbles clearly demarcated the growing strips. Water drained out of pots flow right under the pebbles, keeping the feet and the paws out of the dirt. Thus, the balcony-garden are free to roam again :)
This balcony-garden started at the beginning of 2008. Took a few months to settle into the first completed look in this photo (last Oct), which I liked very much for its dreamy feel sans the congestion (which was a problem this year until The Slimming Plan was written).
The pebbles clearly demarcated the growing strips. Water drained out of pots flow right under the pebbles, keeping the feet and the paws out of the dirt. Thus, the balcony-garden are free to roam again :)
This balcony-garden started at the beginning of 2008. Took a few months to settle into the first completed look in this photo (last Oct), which I liked very much for its dreamy feel sans the congestion (which was a problem this year until The Slimming Plan was written).
Thumbelinas- i cheer & i wept
Ms Togo Trifle African, such a beauty! Most heirloom tomatoes are. Wonderfully lobated... though I must say that some people think these to be ugly or deformed. Lol.
It will have been a tomato-feast IF all the few dozens fruits grew up to full size. But they didn't. The growing condition and hydroponic solution is right, flowers bloomed in abundance and loaded with pollens, fruits are bountiful. Yet, the fruits are merely little prunes (these are regular round tomatoes), and the plant started to wilt soon after the last vine of fruits set...
The fruits continued to ripen, hanging on the tomato vine, yellowed right to the tips. Amusing and saddening.
Good view of tomato hairs.
Photo taken a minute before green-heaven.
It will have been a tomato-feast IF all the few dozens fruits grew up to full size. But they didn't. The growing condition and hydroponic solution is right, flowers bloomed in abundance and loaded with pollens, fruits are bountiful. Yet, the fruits are merely little prunes (these are regular round tomatoes), and the plant started to wilt soon after the last vine of fruits set...
The fruits continued to ripen, hanging on the tomato vine, yellowed right to the tips. Amusing and saddening.
Good view of tomato hairs.
Photo taken a minute before green-heaven.
Aug 5, 2009
Wailing for our Laotian-tom
...who just broke his spine in a sudden gust of wind. I shouldn't have left him unsupported at 15cm. Full of remorse.
New era - Period of Toms
Changes bring new lifes!
I am excited with the new direction coming Nov. Then, new lifestyles spells adaptations for the existing. Kimi will have to adapt. The garden will have to adapt too.
The present balcony garden is slowing growing out of the existing planting list. We are downsizing the plant list so as to upsize the produces. Too much riddle? Simply, the new lifestyle coming Nov do not give me much time for gardening. Thus a very selective collection will be grown, and whatever is growing out there has to be 'independent'. Too much to ask for from pampered indoor plants? Not really! Tomatoes, cucumbers and many herbs grow wonderfully in hydroponic, which is so addictive cos working-time was reduced from watering everyday to topping up nutrients one/twice a week. There will be lots of heirloom tomatoes in future. And the rosemary, thymes, bay, lemon myrtle, pandan and curry plants in soil are happy to continue standing in lesser-sun and drinking only every 2/3days. The remainings such as mints and basils are really easy-going plants too.
So now we have (on the way) a balcony-garden with more walking space and less work :)
Btw, my dear toms are fruiting again. Looks like a bountiful harvest this round.
I am excited with the new direction coming Nov. Then, new lifestyles spells adaptations for the existing. Kimi will have to adapt. The garden will have to adapt too.
The present balcony garden is slowing growing out of the existing planting list. We are downsizing the plant list so as to upsize the produces. Too much riddle? Simply, the new lifestyle coming Nov do not give me much time for gardening. Thus a very selective collection will be grown, and whatever is growing out there has to be 'independent'. Too much to ask for from pampered indoor plants? Not really! Tomatoes, cucumbers and many herbs grow wonderfully in hydroponic, which is so addictive cos working-time was reduced from watering everyday to topping up nutrients one/twice a week. There will be lots of heirloom tomatoes in future. And the rosemary, thymes, bay, lemon myrtle, pandan and curry plants in soil are happy to continue standing in lesser-sun and drinking only every 2/3days. The remainings such as mints and basils are really easy-going plants too.
So now we have (on the way) a balcony-garden with more walking space and less work :)
Btw, my dear toms are fruiting again. Looks like a bountiful harvest this round.
Mar 10, 2009
Old grannies' tomatoes are flowering
They are known in their politically-correct names as 'Heirloon tomatoes'. But HT-growers know that they are (mostly) old grannies, slow to grow, takes their rocking-sweet time to flower and fruit; and production can't beat the new-age commercial tomato kids.
Yet we fall in love with their good old taste, and will wait patiently for our good old grannies.
Thought they are flowering now, but it is impossible to put a date on the calendar for that Togo Trifle African Tomatoes salad, and Fautome Du Loas Tomatoes salad... cos we'll never know when they are ready for harvest. LOL
Here's two Trifle African babies.
Yet we fall in love with their good old taste, and will wait patiently for our good old grannies.
Thought they are flowering now, but it is impossible to put a date on the calendar for that Togo Trifle African Tomatoes salad, and Fautome Du Loas Tomatoes salad... cos we'll never know when they are ready for harvest. LOL
Here's two Trifle African babies.
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... ...
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... ...
Nov 24, 2008
New season new pets - Green & Blue
Nov/Dec is very pleasant on a tropical island. Rain comes frequently while the clouds shield off the blazing sun rays. Even the view from our little balcony got all dreamy and holiday-resort-looking ;)
With all the buzz-buzz in work n studies completed/procrastinated, now is a good time to start the 'food chain' for 2009. Here's the new Green-pets coming up...
On top of these, our new Blue-pet is coming home with us tis friday. She's a British Blue Shorthair kitten. Susan gave these catnip plants to Kimi. Hmm, Kimi is all pampered with gifts even before she come!
Mister-Oregano is my favourite. He's been around since this little balcony-garden started in Jan. We haven't been able to cook him fast enough to match his growth speed; so tat's how he became a hanging-pot-of-oregano, shaggy hair and moustache. LOL
With all the buzz-buzz in work n studies completed/procrastinated, now is a good time to start the 'food chain' for 2009. Here's the new Green-pets coming up...
On top of these, our new Blue-pet is coming home with us tis friday. She's a British Blue Shorthair kitten. Susan gave these catnip plants to Kimi. Hmm, Kimi is all pampered with gifts even before she come!
Mister-Oregano is my favourite. He's been around since this little balcony-garden started in Jan. We haven't been able to cook him fast enough to match his growth speed; so tat's how he became a hanging-pot-of-oregano, shaggy hair and moustache. LOL
Sep 5, 2008
Tomatoes are smarter than cucumbers
Four days after posting this complaint about the progress of the tomato and cucumber plants, Miss Costoluto Genevese ripened up! She must have been secretly surfing this blog!
Lets hope she'll teach mister cucumbers soon how to get onto my wireless internet too;)
Given tat the harvested tomato can be sitting so comfortably on the lap of Rummi, it's obviously a twig too tiny! This is an heirloom tomato tat is supposed to be the size of Jean's closed fist, at least. Wonder if the 2nd round of fruiting will right this problem?...
Hmm
Lets hope she'll teach mister cucumbers soon how to get onto my wireless internet too;)
Given tat the harvested tomato can be sitting so comfortably on the lap of Rummi, it's obviously a twig too tiny! This is an heirloom tomato tat is supposed to be the size of Jean's closed fist, at least. Wonder if the 2nd round of fruiting will right this problem?...
Hmm
Aug 31, 2008
Bunny & tortise race - Cucumbers & tomato plants
Here's my cucumbers (Richmond green & Crystal apple; from YATES) and heirloom tomato (Costoluto genevese; from SWALLOWTAIL) plants.
Both trying to be the tortoise in the fruiting race!!
3 costoluto genevese tomatoes, under-sized and unripe, had been hanging there for a whole month, neither growing further nor 'fading' off.
Both cucumber has been throwing out displays of yellow male flowers. The females flowers with baby-cucumber attached only started to appear this week.
For the time being, i continue to water and fertilise them impatiently; while buying commercial cucumber and tomatoes off NTUCs to fix the cravings.
Cuucmbers being left pot on the floor; tomato being right pot on the floor.
Both trying to be the tortoise in the fruiting race!!
3 costoluto genevese tomatoes, under-sized and unripe, had been hanging there for a whole month, neither growing further nor 'fading' off.
Both cucumber has been throwing out displays of yellow male flowers. The females flowers with baby-cucumber attached only started to appear this week.
For the time being, i continue to water and fertilise them impatiently; while buying commercial cucumber and tomatoes off NTUCs to fix the cravings.
Cuucmbers being left pot on the floor; tomato being right pot on the floor.
Jul 30, 2008
Hungry! Waiting for the harvest...
Amidst my busy schedule now, juggling work, study and housekeeping, watching the little balcony garden grow become my top stress-reliever. nevermind if the students or husband or sprained-ankle had been cranky, simply sharing my joy on this blog is good enough to nullify all unhappiness :)
Fruiting tomato, flowering cucumbers and maturing XiaoPaiChai.
Herbs are really fast growing! We just cant seem to be eating them fast enough.
Here's BungaTelang growing up nicely.
Fruiting tomato, flowering cucumbers and maturing XiaoPaiChai.
Herbs are really fast growing! We just cant seem to be eating them fast enough.
Here's BungaTelang growing up nicely.
Jun 24, 2008
May 29, 2008
My heirloom tomato fantasy
Acquired a tomato-tastebud since the RTW-backpacking that started in 2000. Backyard tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, un-commercial tomatoes, however u choose to call them; they are simply divine!
Had made several attempts on growing heirloom tomatoes since the year began. This is by far, the healthiest-looking seedling. Uncertain how far she can go, or maybe just a slim chance to walk all the way to fruiting... well, at least i made an attempt on a dream :)
Had made several attempts on growing heirloom tomatoes since the year began. This is by far, the healthiest-looking seedling. Uncertain how far she can go, or maybe just a slim chance to walk all the way to fruiting... well, at least i made an attempt on a dream :)
May 7, 2008
Another cucumbers story
One saturday, Green Culture Gardening Forum arranged for an Edibles-gardeners' gathering. Seeds were freely circulated. Here's 2 more varieties of cucumbers added to our balcony-garden.
Sowed 2 seeds each of Crystal Apple and Richmond Green on 21Apr'08. Photo below shows progress on Day-17... One of the Richmond Green failed to germinate. The surviving one (rightmost on photo)is growing slower than the other 2 Crystal Apple...
Generally everything is growing s-l-o-w-l-y. Weather in Spore this year is strange. Rainy still in May when we should have been toasting-hot. Hmm.
Sowed 2 seeds each of Crystal Apple and Richmond Green on 21Apr'08. Photo below shows progress on Day-17... One of the Richmond Green failed to germinate. The surviving one (rightmost on photo)is growing slower than the other 2 Crystal Apple...
Generally everything is growing s-l-o-w-l-y. Weather in Spore this year is strange. Rainy still in May when we should have been toasting-hot. Hmm.
Waiting for a cucumber harvest
Happy-gherkin has been flowering, happy rummi has been counting flowers...
so when will the cucumber come ??
so when will the cucumber come ??
Apr 26, 2008
Gherkin is a happy cucumber
Since the quick sprint from seed, this cucumber has been growing steadily. In fact, roots had already crawled out of his pot! Makes me wonder if the 30cm(dia) pot is sufficient.
Apr 9, 2008
Apr 6, 2008
Gherkin cucumber seedlings
Sowed on 19Mar'08. Photo taken on 6Apr'08. This is Day-19 already. Growth had being interrupted by stretches of overcasted and rainy days.
What baffled me is how dramatically different in sizes between the 2 seedlings below, both sowned on the same day !
What baffled me is how dramatically different in sizes between the 2 seedlings below, both sowned on the same day !
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