Project Spring 2014

[Hamad Ahmed Kisana]

oooh.so that was culprit...my cosmos seedlings were eaten at night and i was thinking about sparrows that they attack early in the morning..

[Farhan Ahmed]

Yes that is a common misconception. Sparrows generally do not harm seedlings and are very selective in what they eat. Most ornamental plants are not liked by them. In case of snails/slugs you will find only stem remaining in most cases or damaged false/true leaves.

Order of the day. Torch in the hand and crush them

[rafique]

Thanks for information, would be careful in futrue. They have enjoyed some marygold seedlings in couple of pots. I was surprised to see the only standing stems without leaves, now i got the reason behind.

[Farhan Ahmed]

Seed sowing in progress.....i am in a fix . Too Hot, Too much water, too less water. Too much sun, too less sun, bugs, damping off. germination issues . This year is tougher

[Tahir Khan]

Seed sowing in progress.....i am in a fix . Too Hot, Too much water, too less water. Too much sun, too less sun, bugs, damping off. germination issues . This year is tougher

I visited the Peshawar Mor nurseries yesterday and they are fully engaged in seed sowings, they don't even have time to deal customers they will not be going to their hometowns during Eid, rather they will be full steam ahead sowing seeds.
I will start sowing tomorrow.

[Farhan Ahmed]

Shovel and handful of seeds, I strive to infuse life into a tiny grain.....in an urge to live a dream!!! Oblivious, that i hold infinity in the palms of my hand that "The final outcome rests with the grand designer no matter how hard i try, it will be what he has designed and destined. And i am a mere tool of his hand.

And can his designs be wrong????............Never

Seed sowing in progress.....i am in a fix . Too Hot, Too much water, too less water. Too much sun, too less sun, bugs, damping off. germination issues . This year is tougher

On after thoughts....there are no right conditions and no wrong conditions. If it fails it was suppose to be such!!! If God has willed it, it will be, whatever, whenever and however......Ahhh i wish this could satisfy my heart and the hearts of anxious gardeners


Baby's Breath.....


Nasturtiums in Newspaper Pots. These pots are extremely handy because of their excellent drainage. Drains water from all side. easy to plug in, decomposable and no chance of contamination of fungus.


Another reason for newspaper pots........i am falling short of pots
My attempt with foxgloves from seeds just don't seem to work. They germinate and then one by one say adios. Anyone ever tried????

[Mustansir Billah]

My nicotiana Germinated in a disposable cup and after germination they died of for no reason. Is it because of temperature?

[Farhan Ahmed]

Probably Water logging. If started in any such plastic container, after initial thorough watering, restrict to misting only as water tends to log.

[Farhan Ahmed]

@Mustansir. What i am doing for all seed starting containers regarding watering
Wash very thoroughly if using old clay pots.
Ensure drainage holes in any improvised container.
I am placing thin newspaper to cover the drainage holes
In plastic pots make multiple drain holes
Select disease free media
Drench the media prior to sowing.
Make a thin top layer of peat moss
Level the surface
Sow seeds.
Cover if required with coco coir
Mist with spray bottle (one generally available with barbers)
That is till germination and if the emerging seedling is too small.
Cover with plastic/polythene bags to conserve moisture and to avoid frequent watering
Remove plastic as seeds germinate.
Do not put pots in direct sunlight at this time, its still hot and the media will dry out very quickly
Once seedling develops give 1-2 hr morning sunlight.

[Farhan Ahmed]

and if you want to avoid all above. Sow in ground . But beware of pest. Fall is the season of insects.