[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

It’s interesting and frustrating at the same time – but such is the rich tapestry of salad growing, a fine art, very fine art i would say, and always something to learn, as has been said before

I have resown the lettuces worst affected as a backup, although they are growing, albeit slowly, they aren’t dead, so i view that as a big positive!

I have just pricked out some endive two days ago , smaller this time, and into the same compost and today in the sun they seem fine and are starting their first leaves so all seems ok there

I think a new strategy of mine will be an extra backup sowing one week after the main lettuce sowings, just in case,  challenges have a good side effect of making you learn new tricks and become a better grower – I find that a comforting thought

 

Are you not watering or watering less your compost before pricking out Charles?

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

try isca bags in exeter , good for us

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

thankyou gentlemen

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Just found this quote online –

We were fascinated by Joe Maiden’s article in Kitchen Garden (January 2012 issue) where he described how he accidentally created a multi-cordon Sungold tomato plant,when one of the plants fell out of its box prior to planting and snapped off the growing point of the stem. The plant grew sideshoots, which Joe decided to train as cordons, creating a multi-stemmed tomato plant. He removed the side shoots that grew from these new stems and ended up with a 60-truss plant by the end of the season!”

Could it be worth a try?

 

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Hi Tris, that comment was actually aimed at you, but if Charles wants some also

perhaps email me, hazelrowanwood (at) gmail . com

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

interesting, but i’m concerned i will end up with a very intense tomato jungle! I think i may have to remove them….

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

I use Jannis, which is an ‘improved boltardy’ and it really is very delicious!  I got some good seed from Tuckers , not so great from Tamar

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

I have a big bag of pulsar so if you would like i could send you some, i’m not sure about lambs lettuce here, it is just so fiddly to pick and so light, i almost think I could do without it, but then last winter was so mild there was an abundance of salad right through….

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

My seeds were from tuckers, chase, plants of distinction, seeds of italy, real seeds, tamar – my germination has been pretty much 100% ! They were sown on a fruit day before full moon and then put on the hotbed which was refilled not long before.. Hmmm

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Hi stew i have a load of cucurbits for sale near buckfastleigh! If you interested i can mail you a list.. Dan

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

well i shall try!

 

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Tomatoes are really fighting back – some new leaves grown! Amazing weather has helped a lote no doubt, so nice to see a ‘never give up’ spirit with plants!  Haven’t lost any tomatoes yet!

Aubergines looking fine and chillis ok too,

So far only lost two chilli plants,  so fingers crossed!

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Just need to add that when this happened, the vent in the polytunnel door next to hotbed was closed! In error! Should have been open…

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

Well the tomatoes were all on staging next the cooled hotbed, and put on the hotbed in the evening, i filled the hotbed during the day.

I think it’s some kind of bacterial wilt – it can be brought on by high temps & humidity , also affects capsicums and aubergine! Apparently a big problem in Florida where humidity is always high,

So i introduced both a big dose of humidity and heat overnight and enter the bacterial wilt, waiting for its moment…

My chillis and aubergines, also on the hotbed overnight , are affected but luckily not too badly, but i may well lose some plants of those as well…

So I have moved my aubergines and chillis to the other tunnel, to isolate them from toms, which are still in the hotbed tunnel, but on staging.

I’ll take some more photos to show the symptoms of all the plants, doesn’t look promising, as once the bacteria takes hold it could just be a matter of time….

Yes a shame as they were all doing very well! And my first attempt at growing these plants from seed..

But it’s gardening and all failure is a lesson, and also a good time to practice the art of zen detachmenet But it’s hard as we gardeners do get attached to our plants…

I’ve pricked out some extra basil and i have 40 melons in modules, on the hotbed now, along with my curcubits, so all is not lost!

[dan hazelrowanParticipant]

thanks charles – good tip to suspend the fleece over with hoops

Yes rampant courgettes! they are a sight to behold though, a summer treat, giant spikey garden monsters

and just realised, actually saturday is the day for sowing – a fruit day, so squash saturday it is!

ps i am really feeling for you with the leatherjackets – thankfully none here yet , touch wood….

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