Apple Grafting. Progress Report. 5/6/14

Apple graft, about 2 months.

 Here is another of the apple grafts.  This one is on a dwarf rootstock, that originated as a sucker off another tree.  It was crooked.  I don't think that will hurt anything in the long run.  A little zig zag just above ground level.

Looking at some of the grafting videos, there is risk of girdling if the wrapping isn't removed on time.  It's hard to identify when that is.  For a novice.  This was growing well above the graft, so I removed the wrapping.

The graft wound is well calloused.  It did not come loose.  It looks OK.

I also removed all new growth occurring on the rootstock, below the graft.

The last photo was via cellphone.  If I get a chance and remember, I'll replace it with a camera pic that is better focused.

Unwrapping the graft.  5.6.14

Apple graft.  Healed whip and tongue.  5.6.14 

Fruit Progress Report. 5.3.14

Hollywood Plum fruit set.  5.3.14

Shiro Plum fruit set.  5.3.14

 Fruit set so far.

Hollywood Plum.  Not a lot but better than I expected.  I did not hand pollinate this year.

Shiro Plum.  Much more than Hollywood.  I did not pollinate this one either.

Hardy Chicago fig.  Very few brebas.  Growth is good so far.

Petite negri fig / Petite aubique.  Generous production of brebas.

Hardy Chicago Fig.  5.3.14

Petite negri fig with brebas.  5.3.14

Four O'Clocks / Mirabilis. 5.3.14

Mirabilis seedlings.  5.3.14

The transplanted four o'clocks / Mirabilis jalapa are growing nicely.  The plants in Battleground have hail damage.  Despite torn leaves they look viable.  I planted several in deck containers in Vancouver.  They seem to take off and grow much faster, with more root room.

Some have some sun damage from the high 80s weather but they still look good.  So far, so good.

More seedlings to plant.  The lessons learned so far:

1.  Pre-soak the seeds for 24 hours.  Possibly up to 48 hours.
2.  They germinate much faster on a seed warming pad, and when placed between moist paper towels in a zip lock.  Germination is also almost 100% that way.  It's around 50% when germinated in seed medium on heating tray, and about 10% when germinated at room temp, even with presoaking.
3.  The seed medium should be left an inch or 2 below the container rim.  When they grow, they are floppy.  The extra space allows for more potting soil to be added on top, to help them stand upright.
4.  They don't seem to mind the cooler weather outside when planted.  The soil temp now is about 50 degrees.
5.  They are delicate.  Hail rips a lot of holes in the leaves.
6.  The variety "Marbles" seems to grow faster than the variety "Marvel of Peru".

Now to see if and when they bloom.

Irises. 5.3.14

Iris Beds #2 and #3.  5.3.14

 Now we are past some 80 degree weather.  I am hoping the bearded iris beds have taken their damage and the present iris clusters will recover.  The leaf fans appear firm and new leaves are growing.  I lost a few completely, as far as I can tell:  Gingersnap, Frost and Flame, and Deity.

This seems to be the blue / white  / purple stage.  Given the bacterial rot damage to leaf fans, I'm glad I grew bulbs in the iris beds.  The alliums and camassias look nice, with colors that complement the current iris flowers.

Iris florentina.  5/3/14

Iris "Red Zinger".  5.3.14

 Cherry Garden is tiny and the flowers are not rain durable.  I have 4 clusters.  I think I will narrow them down to 1 cluster.  They were not damaged by bacterial rot.

The Iris florentina is quite elegant and has a beautiful fragrance.

The Iris pallida dalmatica was not at all affected by bacterial rot.  It is quite tall, and also beautiful fragrance.

The Iris pallida variegata was also not at all affected by bacterial rot.  Not blooming yet.  Much smaller than the nonvariegated version.

Red Zinger is striking, but small.  This would be a good selection for elevated setting or elevated container.  Fragrance is amazing.  I am not good at describing fragrances, but it is truly elegant.  Just hard to get to, because the plant is miniature.  Red Zinger was from a dried out rhizome I thought was dead, from sale rack, planted winter 2012/2013.  Last year it did not bloom but spread nicely.  Disease resistance seems fairly good.

Iris germanica looks more true to a wildflower heritage.  The fragrance is pleasant.  Disease resistance seems fairly good.

More to bloom soon.

Iris germanica.  5.3.14

Iris dalmatica.  5.3.14

Okra. 5.3.14

Burgundy and Baby Bubba Okra.  5.3.14

These are the transplants of Burgundy and Baby Bubba Okra, in container on deck.  The BB Okra pod was thumb-size so I picked it and froze, to be joined later by others until I have enough to make some soup.

They got some sunburn in the high 80s temp last week but look OK.  Transplanting was not an issue at all.  They are growing great, blooming, and making pods.

The new starts are in the fluorescent light stand, making their 1st or 2nd sets of true leaves.  Some are at cotyledon stage.

Burgundy grows the fastest of the varieties I am trying this year.