I'm pretty happy with the tomato seedlings so far. They are growing their true leaves, nice and dark green. The original sort of leggy seedlings are looking just as good too. When I repot them, the leggy part will bender ground to grow more roots anyway. I think they will thicken up anyway.
First the Eucalyptus cinerea (silver dollar tree) and Corymbia (lemon bush "Eucalyptus").
The Eucalyptus cinerea is the more vigorous of the two.
I cut the tips from two of the E. cinerea, to make them grow bushier. The second tip cutting was last week. I may let one or two of the others grow as actual trees, to plant in the yard next year.
I also cut the tips of the two most vigorous Lemon Bush Eucalyptus. They are branching and growing nicely. (I should note, there is some limited leaf irregularity). It's interesting, the ones in the six pack did so poorly, while the ones in their own containers are more vigorous. If memory serves, the ones in the six pack were multiples in their original, smaller seed sprouting pack. I teased the roots apart to repot into the larger cells. Maybe they really can't handle that treatment. They seem to be growing fresh new leaves now, so I continue to give them TLC. In comparison, the silver dollar tree Eucalyptus haven't had any problems at all.
I alternate between the common and scientific names, in hopes that will help me remember them.
The Portulaca (Rose Moss) look less delicate now. They are also spending their days outside.
The Dahlias and Four O'Clocks look nice. I will wait until nights seem reliably above 50 F, before planting permanently outside.
Dwarf Dahlias
Four O'Clocks.
I've never grown Mandevillas before, so this is a learning process. I overwintered the larger one (3 or 4 years old) in a corner of the sunroom. It was too big to have elsewhere, but was difficult to access, so basically was near-dormant to nesr-dead). The other (1 year old) was smaller and hanging from the ceiling, but still didn't get much attention.
The one-year old mandevilla (red) .
After clean-up and pruning.
Before pruning.
Last summer I had this hanging. I haven't decided about this year. It is three plants in one container. Once it's well hydrated, and I am up to it, I'll repot with some fresh soil, in a larger container.
Here is the older (pink) Mandevilla. It's really scraggly and sad looking.
Before pruning.
After pruning.
It looks pretty sad, but like they said in Jurassic Park, "Where there's life, there's hope.". Or I think they said that.
I'm aiming for a bushy look or tower shape. If there is good growth from the lower stems, I may prune off some of the tallest. Once the soil is well hydrated, I'll start a lower nitrogen fertilizer so I don't stimulate too much rank growth, but some new growth, and encourage forming strong stems and blooming.
Those Celosia and basil seeds have germinated. They were on the seed warming mat.
Large Leaf Basil
Celosia "Cock's Comb Dwarf Mix"
Celosia "Rainbow Sherbet"
All of these seeds were old, ranging 2 to 4 years. They germinated quickly anyway.
