There is not much to update on the veggie front so I thought I would share some photos of the plants under the grow light. Since setting up the light again in Janurary I have cut things back a bit and spread every thing out. They have responded well and have some fresh growth.
With the fresh growth some aphids showed up on one of the geraniums. These little creatures are nothing to really worry about but they should be taken care of before they reproduce to much. I am not sure where these came from, maybe some dormant eggs from last fall. Either way, being that geraniums respond well to being pruned I just sniped the top of the plant off outside and put it back under the light. I will now have to watch for them and spray accordingly with soap and water.
I am very happy to see that one of the dwarf variegated bougainvillea cuttings has taken root. I have tried to take cuttings from the mother plant a few times without much success. I have had this boug for a few years now and it grows to a nice bush form about 2-3 feet high with vibrant fuschia coloured flowers or in this case I should call them bracts.
Not much growth on the lemon although I think is has grown slightly. I hope once I get it outside in April/May it will grow large enough to make something with it, even if it is one glass of lemonade.Being that today was a whopping 6c(42f) I headed out into the sunny backyard to poke around. There was many signs of life although you have to get pretty close up which is very evident by my muddy knee's and elbow's.
Mossy path
Tiarella 'Stargazer Mercury' (Foam Flower)
Paeonia 'Krinkled White' (Herbaceous Peony)
Heucherella ‘Sunspot’ (Foamy Bells, a hybird cross with Tiarella & Heuchera) 
Wow, you're lucky to have the snow gone and a few signs of life. We still have a couple feet on the ground here in Vermont.
ReplyDeleteYour plants look great under the lights.
Emily - Our snow seems to come and go pretty often here in Southern Ontario. I think it has something to do with the great lakes surrounding use. We have not had a heavy snowfall since the first week of January. It would be great if it stays away but I am sure we will get some more before or after spring.
ReplyDeleteLots of growth coming along in your spot of the world. Those plants have surely grown!
ReplyDeleteewwww aphids! Got some on the Zinnias at present, might have to check the geraniums too. They're just such a pain! Love the pics of the signs of spring, so promising!
ReplyDeleteTina - I can't wait until the ground thaws and I can start cleaning up the borders. There is something very renewing about clearing last years leaves and stems.
ReplyDeletePrue - Aphids are pretty gross. I was glade to see some signs of life today, it is very promising.
Yep, I see some green out there at your place! Hopefully Spring is really right around the corner :-)
ReplyDeleteYour light setup is very nice!
I had some aphids inside last year too! Who knows where they came from. I was using the compressed peat pellets to start my tomato seedlings so I wouldn't have thought that the aphids were in those... but.... I can't imagine where else they came from. I used some of the "Safe" brand spray on them.
42 degrees, Wow a heat wave for you! We were in the low 70's yesterday but another cold front headed our way on Sunday. Arg, will it ever end, I am so ready for spring planting. Yep, that lemonade will be delicious about May…
ReplyDeleteI see the makings of spring a coming! Thanks for your input on the camera. I am going to show my dad the XSi and see what he says. I know he was looking at the D90 because he could get a great deal on it. But I will definatly show him the Canon.
ReplyDeleteYou really do take beautiful photographs!
ReplyDeleteJudy - Spring is on its way, never fast enough for me though. I have not seen Safe spray. Is it a soap based spray?
ReplyDeleteSkeeter - It does almost feeling like a heat wave after the cold winter we have had.
Zach - No problem, good luck with your camera purchase.
Sandy - Thanks very much.
I wonder..........how many people in Ontario are growing lemons? hhmmm.
ReplyDeleteI hate aphids. Not as much as I hate mealy bugs but still... Too bad the ladybugs aren't around. I like to sick ladybugs in my garden on the aphids I find.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you are growing lemons, and that you may actually bring them outdoors as early as April! Good luck with that and dealing with the aphids.
ReplyDeleteConservative Gardener - I am guessing there is not many lemon trees here that are not grown in a greenhouse.
ReplyDeleteMrBrownThumb - I hate mealy bugs too. I had them get into a Clivia and they are pretty much toast when they get infested with them.
Sally - I really like this lemon tree, I think the best part is rubbing the leaves and smelling the citrus. It does go out in April but only when we have a warm spells, then back in if it gets cold again.
I am impressed with all the seedlings you have started.Makes one cheery to see the beginnin signs of spring. Thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteRosemary - Thank goodness is right, warm weather needs to get here fast.
ReplyDeleteMan, you sure are a well rounded gardener. I know nothing about plants. Bravo! Color me impressed. And of course, your photography astounds me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRich - I have been a plant nut my whole life. I was never interested in vegetable though until that last few years, now I would say I am more a vegetable nut.
ReplyDelete