This Saturday I photographed the new plants I have grown from seeds or bulbs this winter. As usual, my learning curve for Florida gardening extended into trial by fire to find the proper season or temperature for success with germination. It seems all seeds come with some instructions for planting times based on frost – we have no frost here so timing is a wild guess for me most times.
Waltham Broccoli, a cool weather crop everywhere is a winter crop in South Florida. I started seeds in November, the package says these take 50 days to harvest, I think not.
My first Calendulas ever! Planted in early January, the seed collected by my neighbor last year. I am looking forward to the flowers.
Fiona the Greyhound checking out the Nasturtiums. I found these will not come up at all if planted when the temperature is too high. After trying them in August, I forgot about them until January and they came up then. Later I read December 1 is the magical start date. Sigh, these haven’t flowered yet and maybe that is why.
Tropical Milkweed, the larval host plant for Monarch Butterflies. Seedlings started when too cool. These suffered through December and January, developing nice root systems for some reason, so I planted them. I recently found out the seeds should be planted now..since I had a lot of seeds I scattered them all over the butterfly garden. The seeds have a reputation for high germination rates, though the ones I planted earlier in pots 3 out of 12 came up. It will be interesting to see what happens in the garden.
Spinach, Basil and Cilantro seedlings on my front porch. The seeds were planted in January. I gave up growing herbs in the ground, these are my best herb seedlings so far.
Shamrocks were originally collected in Ireland by a friend’s grandmother decades ago. These had been thriving in her South Florida garden for years. I think these will grow almost anywhere.
My Six for this Saturday. For more SOS posts, visit Jon at http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
Happy Gardening!!
The Shrub Queen 
Miss Grant. You are getting really busy with these experimental plants. Looks like it is going well.
Jon
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Thanks, Mr. Davis. I have killed more than a few plants! This is not Atlanta by a long shot.
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Wow, I have grown nasturtiums since before I was in kindergarten, but never knew that they would not germinate during warm weather. Because our facilities are unused during the current ‘situation’ we have not been installing bedding plants, and have been ignoring the few spots where they normally grow. I needed to empty out one of the beds recently because it was so shabby. I am considering the addition of nasturtiums there, just to inhibit weed growth.
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I would not have thought about the temperature, either. They seem like Fescue to me, 65 degrees at night is the magic number..
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My sympathies for your garden challenges in your zone and soil! Your calendula are looking promising!
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Thank you, the soil is the biggest challenge, though I have 3 types of Mangoes setting fruit now so it is good for some things! Fingers crossed for Calendula flowers, I need to read more about the tea..
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I’ve dried the flowers picked newly opened, some use just the petals. Good for the stomach as I recall. I think it tastes a bit like broccoli, so adding mint to the tea improves the taste!
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Thanks, that sounds terrible!
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Sorry! 😀
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Congratulations on growing all those seeds. The Broccoli looks especially healthy and read to provide dinner very soon. I hope you get lots of Monarchs. We hardly ever see them here.
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Thanks. It will be my first fresh from the garden broccoli. I see Monarchs off and on in the garden, but haven’t had a host plant til now.
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Bravo and good luck for your tests! I think nasturtiums and spinach will be the most difficult depending on your climate
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Thanks, I think you are right and they will only last as long as the weather is cool, I have cilantro and arugula that will probably bolt.
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