Miniature Rose Update. 13 Jun 24.

 The first yellow one, that was a Valentines Day grocery store mini rose, probably Sun Maid, is vigorous enough now that I don't think I can call it miniature now.

I just up-potted the one that I had solitary.  It was drying out too fast, the plant being too large for such a small container.

The others, that had been in the same original pot and now in a much larger group container, are starting to bloom again.

It's much larger than I expected, unlike the first red one ¿Danika?  but it's OK.  It's a very nice rose, and has been fun learning and experimenting.

The pink one that I added recently, didn't much like the treatment I gave it.  My theory is, the weather now is too warm and sunny for a mini rose with such small roots to go directly outside.  There was lots of wilting.  The flowers looked sad  so I cut them off.  It looks like I forgot to post on it, so here it is.  I identified it as ¿Light Pink Felicitas Kordana?  I bought this plant 1 June, slightly past its prime.

I repotted it the next day.  This is the root mass - not a lot of roots.

After the wilting and crispy leaf episodes, with the flowers cut off and the dead leaves removed, it looks like this.

This doesn't look like much, but I take it as a new beginning.  I am leaving it outdoors 24/7 now, and there is no further wilting.  I think it will catch its breath and start growing again pretty quickly.

David Austin Roses. Bring Me Sunshine and Darcy Bussell. 13 Jun 24.

 Bring Me Sunshine opened its first flowers.  They are very nice.  The myrrh  scent is incredible, my favorite.  The current flowers are low on the plant, but new buds are on the top of new growth.

Given the vigor, I don't know what will be the long term situation, container vs. in-ground.  I prefer container.

Darcy Bussell is looking good too.  Lots of flowers.  Unfortunately, I barely detect a scent.

Up-potting Schlumbergera Seedlings. 11 Jun 24.

 I planted these Schlumbergera seeds 6 Dec 23, from seeds that I saved from my own plants and cross pollinated myself.

They grow slowly but I'm surprised at how sturdy sone of the seedlings are.  There is also quite a diversity of appearances.

The roots are not deep, but they are tightly entangled. They were difficult to separate.

 

I selected the most vigorous looking plants to separate and plant into three or four inch containers, three plants per container.  This is similar to how the plants are sold, a few together in 4 inch pots, but these plants are much smaller and in juvenile stage.

I also replanted the remaining smaller / less vigorous seedlings together again in a small container.

I haven't grown Schlumbergeras from seeds before, so I don't know if any seedlings might bloom this winter.  They are still quite small, so I have my doubts.  There is quite a diversity in shape and vigor among the seedlings.  It's an interesting experiment.

Planting Out Marigold Seedlings. 11 Jun 24.

 Today I planted seedlings from my home-saved marigold seeds.  I've raised these through multiple generations over eight or ten years.  The original plant was a volunteer in my vegetable garden, probably a seed fallen from some plants I grew previously.  But I don't know.  It's a nice variety.

I also planted up the Alumnia Vanilla Creme marigold seedlings

I'm glad I got them moved on to their summer containers.

Up-Potting Alpine Strawberry Seedlings. 11 Jun 24.

 These are the alpine strawberry seedlings.  I planted the seeds 30 April.  Here.

I decided to up-pot the seedlings in the most crowded cell.  It's  interesting to look at how developed the roots are, for such tiny plants.

I planted the seedlings in eight-packs.  One with eight seedlings, the other with sixteen, two per cell.

I don't know yet what I will do with all of the other seedlings.  I'm thinking they'll go into rectangular group pots, like I did with the Ozark Beauty strawberry plants.

We'll see how they do.  Time will tell.

Original seed packet.

Water - Rooted Tomato Cutting. 1 Jun 24.

 Her's the accidental cutting of Supersweet-100 that I took, after the stem of my small plant was eaten by a slug.  I made a clean cut, using a razor blade, put the cutting into water, and kept it in a window in partial sun.  So that was 14 May, making it 14 days.

I planted it in a small container in pitting soil, today.

Here was the original cutting.

Now I'll gradually acclimate the cutting as it settles in and starts growing.  We'll see how it does.

Reblooming Red Miniature Rose ¿Danika? 31 May 24.

 Here is the red Valentines Day rose that I bought in early March and bare- rooted, then up- potted on 16 March.    The first new flower appeared about a week ago.

I wasn't sure I liked it but now...  a very nice, reblooming miniature potted rose. 

It can't take full sun.  The flowers get sunburn.  

I'll add to this post, after a doctor's appointment yesterday, I stopped at the Safeway next door.  I thought this one there, marked down (post Mothers' day) would be fun to treat the same way.

I didn't wait this time.  The original peat medium is just too finicky.  It dries out too fast, sometimes overnight, leading to dead flowets and crispy leaves.  I bare-rooted it by un- potting and swishing around in a bucket of water.

There were three plants.  A good number for a group pot.  Not a lot of roots.  No wonder they wilt so quickly in peat.

I planted in regular potting soil (I use Black Magic).

I try to spread the roots out as much as possible.  Also, I went from about  4" pot to about 6" and a bit deeper.

Watered in.  They can be floppy at first, so a stake might be a good idea.  I didn't but I might tomorrow.

Bare rooting while in full bloom seems drastic, but each time I do it, the plant doesn't miss a beat.  The new soil and larger volume to keep the current flowers blooming longer and set it up for future success.

Edit:  From the list of choices on the container, this is Felicitas Kordana Light Pink.  I can't be 100% certain, but it's the closest match.  The grocery store plants are meant to enjoy and discard, so not sold with cultivar names.

Edit:  corrected some typos.

Pruning and Up-Potting More Schlumbergeras. 30 May 24.

 These are the last of the main collection of Schlumbergeras.  The first group is sending out new growth where I pruned them, so I wanted to complete the job.

As I did with the earlier plants, I changed from plastic pots to glazed clay.  They should be more stable, less likely to tip over.  Especially when in bloom.  I used a knife to slice off about an inch from the sides of the root ball, and the bottom, then used a general purpose soil.  They have about 50% more growth medium than they did before up-potting.

Hybrid Tropical Hibiscus. 30 May 24.

 Here is the hybrid hibiscus plant that I bought.

From the tag, I thought I was buying a yellow hibiscus with red flame edges.  Oh well.

Revived Clematis. 30 May 24.

 Here is the clematis vine that was dug out by accident, because it looked dead (oops) then left to dry out for a day, then trimmed and potted on 12 April.

It has a vigorous main shoot now, and more new shoots emerging from the roots.

Here it was when I discovered the dug-up roots on 12 April.

Seedlings Update. Zinnias, Marigolds, Cosmos, Portulaca, Nasturtiums. 30 May 24.

 Most of the flower seedlings still need a little growth before planting out.9

There are also some squashes and a couple of left-over peppers and a tomato there.

Zinnias, dwarf sunflowers, squashes.

Marigolds

I planted some of the portulacas among other plants and some in a patio bowl.

These are the second nasturtiums that I planted.  I think the first were fodder for birds.  Also in photo, marigolds and alpine strawberries

All in all, it might be a colorful year.

Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants In Containers. 30 May 24.

 Here are the Ozark Beauty strawberry plants now.   I bought them, bare root on Amazon, in early February.

I think the growth looks quite healthy and vigorous.  I did give them a dose of Miracid fertilizer, because I read they need acid conditions.  Growth might even be a bit too lush now.  I'll just use water for a few weeks.  They have been producing a few flower buds.  I cut those off so the plants can concentrate on growing for now.  The same for a couple of runners.

The weather has been cool and rainy, 60s during the day and 40s at night.  I imagine warmer weather and more sun will stimulate growth even more.

Here they were when I planted them, 10 Feb 16.  I wondered if they would grow.  They did - every plant.

Alpine Strawberry Seedlings. 30 May 24.

 Here are the Alpine Strawberry seedlings now.

I think they look very good, exactly like others' photos.  I read that germination is usually poor, erratic, and slow.  That was not the case here.  Also, I did not stratify.  Maybe the seed seller did, I don't know.

I think they need to grow a little more before I plant them into individual cell packs.

Completed Garden Scooting Bench / Cart. 26 May 24.

 Here's the completed garden bench / cart / scooter.  It's stained now.  I added four-inch, easily  lockable casters for safety.   It has a heavy duty pull rope.  I added a cushion.

When the rope is not in use, it's easily tucked into the side opening.  So i's not a tripping hazard.

I think it needed the back for sturdiness.  I'm glad I cut openings to let light in and lighten the weight a tad.

Next to the old bench.  Compared to that, this one is slightly taller, for my height; wider and longer for lower center of gravity and more sturdy.  With the casters, I can scoot around on it, rather that getting up whenever I want to move a little.  

So far I'm pretty happy with my new garden bench / cart / scooter.  I think it's safer than the old seat, which was threatening to collapse when I sat on it.  It's more comfortable for me, and more useful.

Except for the casters and the pad, all of the materials were upcycle / re-purpose / lying around in the woodshed or garage.

Update, my own review of my own cart!

This cart is far more convenient, comfortable, and useful compared to the tubular steel garden stool.  There is just no comparison.  It's in a different league altogether.  I like it a lot!

Two improvements are needed.  First, with the casters, it has a tendency to roll all over the place while being pulled.  Sometimes it tips over.  An axle with wagon wheels might not do that.  I thought a rigid pull handle might be better.  I ordered one on Amazon in June, but it has yet to be delivered.  Shortening the pull rope by about half, helped about 90%.  With so much less laxity, it doesn't get to roll sideways nearly as much.  Much better, but not perfect yet.

The second change, those side pieces around the top are too thin, and break too easily.  I need to find wood strips closer to 1/2 inch thick.  Maybe a winter project.