Day 62
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
Day 62...can you say, "ooooo!"And look at this one, up close...
GrowLog
SuccessfulHappy Hour Mix Portulaca in an AeroGarden Bounty Elite Artisan
Grow log by campingcorgis · Original thread
13 visual updates20 photos74 replies
View recapCrop🌱Portulaca
VarietyHappy Hour Mix
MethodAeroGarden
EquipmentAeroGarden Bounty
Plants9
AudienceBeginners
What you can learnA long flower diary showing tiny-seed handling, germination, slow vegetative growth, repeated flowering, maintenance, bloom nutrients, and a clear cultivar-density recommendation.
Actions:1 Equipment1 Planting
Useful practices
- cleaning the Bounty before planting
- delaying nutrients until germination
- using two seeds per pod
- performing repeated rinse-and-refill maintenance
- switching to bloom nutrients
- ending the garden when decline began
- recommending two plants per pod for future grows
Problems encountered
- extremely small seeds produced more seedlings than expected
- seedlings grew slowly after rapid germination
- one plant began fading near the final termination
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
They are exquisite!
C
Thank you, Sher! I feel the same!
S
These are beautiful. I like these better then the ones I grew.
S
They are so much more gorgeous than the ones I grew outside in containers last year.
S
I think because these are double blooms
C
I think they are inspirational, somehow? They make me smile. To play on Martha Stewart's words, they are a good thing!
C
The portulacas continue to be a bright spot in the kitchen. They did get their 3rd R&R a few days back. That's about it.
S
Glad they continue to brighten your life!
C
Day 112: Yesterday, the Portulacas got a nice R&R, clean water + Dyna-Grow Bloom food. Looking forward to a burst of flowers soon! I may just have to take this garden with us to the beach!!
C
It was a good run and they were and are beautiful flowers. However, today, one of the plants was clearly fading away. Not wishing to see more of the same, I ended the garden. I would grow these again. I would recommend having 2 plants per pod. One is not enough. 3, likely too crowded.
S
Excellent run on them campingcorgis! Not only did they brighten your kitchen, but we got to share their beauty with you!
C
Thank you Sher! Mikey remarked that he misses them! Not the same with just the gift basil growing in that spot.
Day 53
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
Day 53: It just gets better and better and better...
Conversation
S
Oh, wow! Gorgeous!!!
C
They are gorgeous! Just what the kitchen needed! Cheerful, Springtime look, I think. What fun, huh?
S
Lovely colors
C
Thank you & I do agree! The colors are just perfect!
Day 48
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
Day 48 -
Conversation
S
Two and Two...
C
Yes! Last night, I told Mikey, I think we'll have 4 flowers in the morning. And, sure enough! There's such a special kind of beauty in their gentle appearance.
S
They are such delicate, intricate little flowers.
Day 45
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
The sole flower didn't open today. Should I deadhead it? There seems to be another trying to step up in the place.
Conversation
S
You don't need to deadhead moss roses. If you want to, you can remove the flowers when they get unsightly, but it is not necessary. They are considered self-cleaning, like impatiens.
C
Thank you Sher!!
Day 44
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Mar 16, 2021 14:20:51 GMT -5 Sher said:They are such exquisite little flowers. How special that you got a pure white one first! I was thinking that same thing. Like a pure soul?
Day 44
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
And the flower closes up at night!
Conversation
S
They are such exquisite little flowers. How special that you got a pure white one first!
Day 43
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Day 43... Who knew such a tiny thing could bring such joy?
Conversation
S
First beauty of many to follow
S
It is lovely! And the foliage is eye candy, too!
C
Thank you Shawn and Sher! And, agreed, I can see the promise of many more and I do love the foliage! What a great way to start the week!
Day 40
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
The past few days, I've noticed that some of the plants seem to have lighter stems and others darker. Almost like the difference between yellowish and redish. I do think everyone is healthy, just starting to show their colors? Anyway, look what I spotted today! Flowers to be!!
Conversation
M
They’ve gotten so big!! Looking forward to the colors!
S
The plants look wonderful! And a bud to boot! WooHoo!
S
Flowers will be happening soon.
C
Thank you maskedsonnet, Sher and Shawn! I'm so excited!!! Can you tell?
S
Yes I can .... Isn't it exciting when you start to see new life. Soon you will have wonderful colors
C
It is indeed, Shawn! A tiny wonder, to brighten up my kitchen!
Day 32
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Here's an update photo at 31 days: Everybody seems happy and healthy.
Conversation
U
Hey, Hey, looking good! It's so weird. I just grew these. I know what they look like. But I'm still excited for you!
S
Awww. They are such cute little plants!
C
Thanks @zyphax and Sher! I agree totally! Exciting and they are cute! Unique kind of fun!?
S
I loved growing Portulacas. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did
C
Thanks Shawn! I'm enjoying them very much and I know it only gets better!
C
Mikey commented that it looks like they will grow into one big ball! LOL. I told him I don't think so, but we'll see.
Day 21
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Feb 21, 2021 11:01:39 GMT -5 Shawn said:How are your Happy Hours growing? They are growing, but taking their time! Thanks for asking...Day 21, see pictures below. Yesterday, Mikey pointed out how slow to grow they are, compared to the herbs and veggies. They popped right up, but then clicked into "Hawaii Time" as we like to call it. No rush, no worries. While I can't wait to see them in their complete splendor, I'm not worried to rush them either! They will do their thing, on their own schedule.
Conversation
S
If they are like the ones I grew, once they start to bud, things will speed up.
Day 11
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
The Portulacas continue to grow. While I planted only 2 seeds per pod, some have 6 or 8 little seedlings popping up! Maybe they are GMO crossed with bunny rabbit DNA?
Conversation
S
They are such cute little plants!
U
campingcorgis Sorry!! I should have mentioned. The pelleted seeds seem to have more than one seed per pellet. I had to thin out a ton of them.
C
Thanks!!! I'll think on that, but they are still too tiny. Big fingers, tiny seedlings...do so appreciate the input!
S
Were they pelleted seeds? If so then yes you will get many in there.
C
Yes, apparently so. The seeds are so tiny, it is hard to imagine each one contains many! So...thin to one per pod, when they are a little bit larger?
U
This video gives an indicator of seed size for one variety of portulaca. I did a little browsing and it looks like the sizes for the different varieties can vary from .5-1mm. Which is quite small indeed. campingcorgis I double checked my thread and I didn't mention when I thinned them. I think just waiting until they are a size where you can grip them well would work. Too big and their roots may have entangled and you risk pulling up more than you mean too. I'm trying to think back and remember. I think I may have left 2-3 seedlings per pod.
C
Thank you! Off to the VA for a bit, I'll check out the video later! I'll proceed with thinning, when I can get a grip on them with tweezers or something.
S
How are your Happy Hours growing?
Day 4
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Day 3...itty, bitty Portulacas!
Conversation
S
That is fast.
C
I send them loving vibes, every time I walk past them. Which is pretty often, since they are in the center of the house/kitchen.They are itty, bitty...I hope they are Portulaca? Of course, the seeds were also itty bitty! They arrived in a capsule!
S
Yay!!!! They are off and soon to be running!
C
Day 5, all have germinated. 8 ml nutes added.
S
WooHoo!!!
U
I remember Shawn had some really bright colorful portulacas in a project. The germination hurdle is accomplished..now ....ONWARD to BLOOMS!
C
Thank you...on another note...I read somewhere & tried to find it again, but could not. Sigh...I read that you have had trouble with AG and I wonder if you've ever had the electricity coming into your home tested? I ask because my MIL had a lot of trouble, sometime back, in a brand new house. Lots the coffee pot, then the TV, then some other things & finally the washing machine. The other things she replaced, but the washer was new, like the house, so she called for repair and he figured out that she has "brown electricity". Apparently a line was exposed underground, just a bit & would cause issues in the rain or something. Then, another friend lost a few small appliances, but when her Espresso machine went out, she called the power company & after some back & forth, they figured out that the transformer outside of her house had gone bad. Brown electricity again. Anyway, that probably isn't the case with your stuff, but just thought I would mentioned, just in case you want to read it out or something? Thanks on the kudos!
S
My Portulacas did great. The only reason I ended them was because my mom liked them and I gave them to her to bring home and plant outside.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Actions taken
EquipmentCleaned the Bounty before starting the flower garden.
PlantingPlanted nine pods with two Happy Hour Mix seeds per pod.
I'm so excited! I've cleaned and started a new garden in my Bounty. I've pretty much done what @zyphax did in HERE, but like this:Planted in a Bounty Elite ArtisanPortulaca Happy Hour Mix from Park Seed2 seeds per pod, 9 pods plantedPark Seed SpongesWill add nutes once germinated (not 100% sure why "we" do this, but I'm giving it a try) Fingers & paws crossed! I hope they cooperate! I do feel like I've had a full day already! For a Sunday! I had my first lettuce harvest with lunch. Just a simple oil & vinegar dressing. It was tasty. Served that with a new recipe for Sloppy Joe's. Then I cleared out and cleaned out the Bounty's Herb Garden. Started a Pot Roast for dinner. Then I planted the new flower garden! Can't wait to share the progress and beauty!!! Very hopeful, here! I think I'll sleep well tonight!
Conversation
U
I'm so excited for you! I've really enjoyed this mix. Also, I can't remember who started the no nutes until germination thing. But it helps a ton with preventing algae build up on the sponges prior to plant growth.
S
There is a thread on this here.
C
Thank you Shawn and @zyphax, that clears things up for me...but brings to mind another question...What do you do about the "scheduled" reminders to add nutes? Do you worry about the delay in the beginning? Ignore the delay? Wait as many days as you delayed? I know, I'm probably overthinking it. Sigh. Algae is everywhere in the PNW! We treat our roof tops to get rid of the stuff. Power wash our houses, walkways, patios, etc. It is a constant battle...OUTSIDE. Don't want the stuff inside too!
U
campingcorgis I try to sink all my feeds up on all of my aerogardens. I'll feed on the weekends. So I'll just wait until the weekend to feed once something germinates. Usually if the feed light isn't on by that weekend it will be on for the next. So I'll usually let it flash at me until the following weekend when it is time to feed again. I feel like there is a better way to do this, but I haven't researched it.
C
Thank you @zyphax, that makes sense. I think I overthink too many things! Chill ? How do they say...Life, like beer, is best when you chill it? Something like that...
U
lol, I find it is easier to chill about things once I have a plan in place.
S
I just say I added nutes so I stay on track. No big deal.
C
Thank you!