Project Spring 2014

[Mustansir Billah]

Ok! Nice I will try again till success. Though I have tried already for three times for nicotiana and night phlox but when the seedlings appear they die. Now I will follow the instruction strictly and give it another try. Are you saying to keep nicotiana seedlings in shade or warmer place(shade) till they have developed? there is one more problem that these seedlings are so much small that they cannot be handled and even if watering it tilts the plant and plant eventually die.

[Farhan Ahmed]

Yes Shade. That is why misting is better. Good to see you trying.....

[Farhan Ahmed]

Killy Tally of the night
1 Rat (4 Total). Weapon of choice. Killer paapaaarh topped with cheese.
3 huge slugs and couple of grass hopper
All probable in seedling cutter roles.

Presence of slugs and snails is proving to be a nuisance, however i must say that sand does work to deter them. Beds sprinkled with coarse sand does not let them near it.
Night temperatures now a days are ideal for slug/snail activity as the moisture levels are also high. However their activity is short lived. They will hibernate as soon as night temperatures fall to 12 Deg Celsius, which are expected here to be around in a week's time. They estivate above 27 C, as well as can't tolerate much of sunlight. Day is not for them.
Presence of slug/snail is also an indicator of reasonably rich soil, finally the richness is coming in . It also indicates presence of reasonable amount of calcium in the soil. Beneficial.

[Farhan Ahmed]

Risk!!!! Moments when your heart skips a beat…..or beat faster, long sighs and then insipid mind. Uncertainty whether what you sow, would you reap? Will it start (germinate) and finish at bloom? Or the question whether it would bloom for you.???
So much simili to life. But risks and hoping over hope keeps you going. What you dream ….is a dream, because it is far from reality or else its life


Update:-
Extensive Seed sowing was undertaken starting 10 October. Despite heat, seeds & seedlings are performing reasonably okay. Reason for somewhat early sowing was to extend the season especially for biennials and perennials.
Media chosen was mainly compost (Arthur Bower) and thin film of peat moss on the top. Watering has been done only through misting.....
4 stage strategy for seedling germination & growth which seems to work okay.
Seeds are started in area 1 (indoors)...after germination they are moved to area 2 with indirect full sun and subsequently to area 3 for 3 hours of morning full sun. When of reasonable size, they are moved to ground.
4th area is of in situ sowing (however in situ sowing required great care for pest control)
T & M germination is far superior to any other seed vendor. Foxgloves and Nemesia appeared to be only 2 struggling species.
Enrygium has failed to germinate despite refrigeration.
Rest everything seem to be doing fine.
All sorts of containers have been attempted including plastic, newspaper etc. with sterile media all containers seem to work okay, however plastic containers need to watered very less.
Some seedlings do not respond to low light and tend to get lanky such as Gypsophalia. If started indoors they must be moved out with first sight of germination.

Area 1


Area 2


Area 3




In situ growing



Nothing was spared even empty toy boxes :p. Poppies germinating


Nasturtium fragrant giants


Sweetpeas

[Hamad Ahmed Kisana]

job wonderfully done.....congrats...MASHAALLAH seedlings are very healthy.

[Izhar]

lovely sight...
Which variety of poppies are they?

[Farhan Ahmed]

Poppies falling in Love
Angel coir
shirley
and some double flower peony mixes

[rafique]

Amazing. Outstanding work.
I can't imagine what you are going to display, but it would be wonderful with alot of beauties wthin.
i really want to look again and again your seedling, its joyful.
Good Luck.
.

[jdashraf]

Beautiful.. Lot of effort must have gone in to reach this state.. Particularly growing in ground. Congrats and all the best.

[Farhan Ahmed]

I can't imagine what you are going to display, but it would be wonderful with alot of beauties wthin.

The question still looms will there be a display at all .