Grower’s Diary

It was about this time of year, last year, that my pond bound fish prayed daily for a giant iceberg to make its way up from the Southern Ocean. The temperature in my greenhouse reached an all-time high of 119 degree’s F. The tomato plants thought it was Christmas Day each and every day. This year the plants, especially the one’s grown from seed, are having a bit of an up hill struggle. Each day the weather man promises them sunshine, most days he is getting it wrong. Being an honest Leo I must confess to my own contribution to their misfortune. It was only yesterday that I realised I was giving them the wrong nutrient mix – ‘A’ and ‘B’ only. I should have added liquid feed ‘C’ at the third leaf stage, which was a month ago ! This, of course, applies only to those tomato plants which have been brought on from seed.

The other Tommy plants, which were purchased as established young plants, are doing remarkably well and are about two feet tall ( the seeded plants are little more than three to four inches high ) and well into their flowering stage. You may recall that I have attempted an experiment with three tomato plants of the same variety, Beefsteak, in pyramid pots. One is sitting in coconut fibre, one in vermiculite/perlite, and the third is in a sharp/soft sand mix, all being fed the same liquid feed. The plants in the coconut fibre and vermiculite/perlite pots are racing away as if their backsides are on fire, and are beginning to bully neighbouring tomato plants for space. The tomato plant set in sand is a sad tomato plant, and I think it only a question of time before it becomes a deceased ( as in dead ) tomato plant. But I am prepared to accept full responsibility for it’s eventual demise, and I promise to do better next time.

Which brings me to the peppers. The Capsum peppers ( grown from seed ) are not doing too well either, yet ( and understandably so, no doubt ) the Yellow Luteurs, bought as established plants, continue to reach upwards to glory. The Beetroot, Carrots, Spring Onions and Radishes ( all grown from seed ) are now ready for a little thinning – especially the Radishes. Still in the propagating stage are Leek, Parsnips and two types of Lettuce. The Mixed Salad lettuce have produced a nice green carpet over the propagating tray, but the Salad Bowl lettuce ( with the exception of just two little plants ) refuse to come out and join in the fun. Not all the Leek seeds are making a show, hopefully time will produce better results. The Parsnips are looking good, and I have built a Parsnip growing tray, with the use of drain-piping, and await the young seedlings to reach a better maturity so they can be transplanted into their individual drain-pipes.

Now there’s a thought that might boggle the mind – if you want to grow a parsnip, get a drain-pipe.