More on the gardening topic

[Shirlv]

Just learned another snippet. Use bypass pruners to get cuttings. Do not use scissors which I have been doing because it seals the end of cuttings. Love learning something new.

The pot of lettuce from seed is a failure. Had great success with pack of 6 plants in the past so will do soagain in the fall.

Back again, I’m such so scatterbrained. I just looked my kitchen shears and they have bypass blades. That is what I use for cuttings so all is good and I didn’t know it.

[Shirlv]

I did swiffer the balcony. I planted basil, cilantro and Italian parsley in one container. Flower container has a spike, geraniums and sone cute trailing plant with white flower. The tomato plant is sitting on the end table in a sunny spot, will plant Mother’s Day. Need to plant six from scraps green onions in soil as they are full grown. Just put radish tops and bottom of Romaine head in water to see if I get plants.

[Colliemom]

Shirl, I would be interested in seeing how that Romaine lettuce experiment works because Romaine is what I use too. I can buy mine and fresh bunches from our local store as I eat it every day.

[Colliemom]

Anne, have to given thought to planting a couple tomato plants in containers, so you can move them out of the hot sun when needed and doesn’t take much water to water them either.

[MandysMom]

Sue, I don't think you understand summer heat in CA. It's as hot in shade as in sun much of summer. With temps over 100 for weeks at a time, even in shade (tomatoes don't like shade), container plants bake and dry out very quickly. The earth itself helps moderate temperature and holds moisture longer than any container. Our summers are brutal. Humidity often in teens or even single digits. containers can be done, but one big enough for a decent size tomato plant-holding enough soil and not dark in color as that heats faster, is challenging to move.
Velda

[JudyJB]

I just did some research and found the following articles that might be helpful. This first one, for example, lists varieties that do best in hot climates:

-- https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/garden-f ... t-weather/

-- This one describes when to plant tomatoes in the various regions in California. https://www.gfloutdoors.com/when-to-pla ... by-region/

-- https://gardenofluma.com/how-to-grow-to ... na-desert/

Worth a small try, anyway.

[Shirlv]

Thanks Judy, I like reading anything on gardening.

[snowball]

I always thought that tomatoes need more water than most plants but perhaps that is because we live in the dry west... were the humidity is really good at 20% I'm just pulling a percent out of the air....it nor abnormal thought for it to be much lower than that...
sheila

[OregonLuvr]

You all are making me so anxious to get gardening and get my plants in. But going to wait a couple more weeks. Going to fill the pots with new soil, compost and manure so I will be ready LOL

[Shirlv]

Sue, I dropped the romaine end in a shallow little bowl and forgot it. Not good, it needs sun and my one sunny spot is crowded, will rethink that space. I read you should see growth in 2-3 days and leaf’s in 2 weeks. Change water every couple of days. I need to be more organized, a regular schedule. Have read a lot but need to pick one instruction. Will keep you updated and you do the same. I ordered two water meters $12, today from Amazon to test soil for moisture, one for me and one for daughter. The balcony oven needs close monitoring. Shelia tomatoes do need a lot of moisture. Not sure how but am sure that California grows tomatoes. They probably use shade cloth to protect plants. Green/spring onions regrow very fast just sitting on the kitchen counter. Have all the regrow veggies sitting on a dollar plastic tray so easy to move around if only I remember.

[JudyJB]

If you don't have the right kind of pruners, and you only have a few things to prune, you can use a very sharp knife as well.

[Shirlv]

Update re regrow veggies: put on my glasses and can’t believe tiny roots on the cauliflower piece, tiny shoots coming from the middle of the romaine. Changed the water on all and placed in a sunny window. Schedule will be change water every Wednesday and Saturday. Think I will have to start writing all this plant care on the calendar. I had left over jugs of purified water so will use that since water here is chlorinated. Forgot to put green onion tops in my scrambled eggs and the tops are flopping all over the tray. I’m really having fun even if I sound a little senile.

[MandysMom]

Shirl, yes CA grows lots of tomatoes, though not as many as when I was young. They are grown in the ground and now days bred to make them all ripen about same time so picking machines can pick them. Tomatoes love sun, as long as they get enought nutrients and water and no they don't shade them in fields. There are also hydroponic growers where tomatoes are grown indoors, using special lights, liquid nutrients, and lots of tending to stuff like pruning and staking- which is why hydroponic tomatoes are usually pricey!
Velda

[Bethers]

Shirl is having great success! This is fantastic!

[SoCalGalcas]

This gardening talk is very interesting. Since Valerie moved all the patio furniture to NH, my very large patio is empty. I would love a large strawberry pot. Will be thinking on that……
Lyn