Hello from India

[MOHAN SINGH]

Dahlias were my first time.. infact it was my first spring so all flowers for the first time... lesson learnt dont go by what is shown on the packet.. was expecting double or pompon types but good nonetheless.. the sheer fact that these bloomed being started from seed was great enough for my happiness.. plus these are fragrant..

[MOHAN SINGH]

lesson learnt with beets.. thinning or transplanting is important.. hope to have better production next time..

[MOHAN SINGH]

By and large I had a mixed kind of experience. I sowed many annuals considering my experience

1. Petunias (which germinated, remained the same size for approx 2 months, no growth, no dying either, nothing beyond 2 leaves. But eventually disappeared)
2. Snaps (which germinated, remained the same size for approx 2 months, no growth, no dying either, nothing beyond 2 leaves. But got to save only one seedling which now recently because of the increase in temperature and light is growing berserk. Quite hopeful with its blooming)
3. Dianthus : Excellent germination, loads of plants, currently on buds.
4. Phlox : Good germination but still growing, lot of my seedlings suffered partly from my travel plans, partly from insufficient sunlight.
5. Osteospermum : Only one plant but growing berserk, looks like developing buds.
6. Mesembry : Sown late probably november end, growing well, hopefully shall bloom by month end
7. Poppy : Same story
8. Viola : Only two plants growing madly

So after a mixed kind of success I finally bought some seedlings in mid january which again was late. But better late than having nothing. With the advice of Izhar sir I went ahead with the idea of PVC pipe. I overcame my restriction of space and made space for more annuals.. The seedlings showed good growth with regular npk spray in the morning.

[Shazia Khurram]

I have yet to experience scented dahlias. I actually love yours. Have a homey, cottagey look about them. My petunias that were planted in the north most flowerbed are showing really bad progress. They get no sunlight and sparrows were a menace this year. The ones in pots are doing better, but are yet to bloom. My mesembry which was planted in late October as seedlings are in full bloom now. They're in full sun. Your beets look ultra juicy


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[MOHAN SINGH]

Ya i agree with you. There is no substitute for absence of sunlight. And on the philosophical side you can buy seeds, fertilizer, etc but not sunlight.. I have my terrace east facing with a building in the east. So sunlight is available only after 11. The petunias in the hanging basket are now doing good since those got regular npk as per the suggestions of izhar sir. Others are still picking up but are healthy otherwise. When i started i referred a lot websites which was good for west not for us which made things a little late. I sowed mesembry seeds in nov end, the leaves are swelling now, waiting for blooms.

Tastewise beets are good. Otherwise these were a lesson for thinning. Shall have better produce next time.

[MOHAN SINGH]

Sown in November end... Finally mesembry started putting up a good show.. Drawback you never enjoy the blooms.. when you leave for office or come from office the flowers are resting.. a beauty nonetheless..

[MOHAN SINGH]

The most awaited annual for me dianthus finally blooms in my tire planters.. With a Chocolaty fragrance this annual is underrated..

[MOHAN SINGH]

Verbena and many others sizing up with increasing heat..

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

No annual is under rated it is the variation in individual choice and requirement
I love


but may not be planting it next year due to its short blooming period.

[MOHAN SINGH]

True sir. The guiding principle to select annual could be longevity of bloom, fragrance, early starter and late fader. This is my first bloom of dianthus so am yet to see if qualifies on these factors.

All being said nothing can be expected since annuals shall remain indifferent of our expectation of them ..

I was planning to sow rananculus next year, good to know it fades soon.