Witch in a Ditch

Photo-journal of follies, foibles, and triumphs with organic gardening. Doing my part to combat climate change. With love from Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA.

[merrittwitch]

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a post! In the 3 weeks since my last entry, I have started my second tray of seeds.

The Complete List:

- Black Kniolas Morning Glory

- Black Hollyhock

- Texas Plume Summer Sherbert Celosia

- Black Knight Sweet Pea

- Queen Lime Zinnia

- Chocolate Dara Lace Flower

- California Thai Silk Pink Champagne Poppy

- Black Peony Poppy

- Bronze Beauty Calendula

- Black Breadseed Poppy

- Black Bachelor’s Buttons

- Black Knight Pincushion

- Silvery Strawflower

- Apricot Strawflower

Most of them germinated within a week of sowing, much to my delight. The photos in this post were from today, 9 days from my initial sowing.

I am still waiting on the Chocolate Lace to germinate. Ironically, I’m most excited for that plant, as well as the Thai Silk Champagne Poppies.

There’s been a ton of rain and a cold snap which has prevented me from transplanting my 6 week old sunflowers outside. I have a few more weeks to suss out a game plan for them, and a solution for pests in the meantime. They are getting gangly and need to go into the ground for support. So excited!

I’ll post again once the Lace Flowers pop. Fingers crossed!

[merrittwitch]

Day 22:

My return from a work trip yielded the first True Blood rose bush seeds to germinate!

The black chilis, black pansies, amaranth, and sunflowers continue to reach ever upwards.

I am still fighting the mold problem, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting the seedlings.

Next month I start my second tray! Looking forward to it! 🌾🌱

[merrittwitch]

11 Days after sowing, the first black chili germinated and popped up! Every sunflower has also sprouted and grow long and lanky. The red and wheat colored Amaranth have all sprouted, and are adorably dinky. The black pansies have also come up in abundance and look healthy and vibrant.

I’m still battling mold and mildew, and am wondering if this is common? My roommate didn’t seem to have this issue, so I’m trying to narrow down possible culprits (heating pad, toothpicks bringing in spores, etc.)

I love these babies. I’m planing another tray for February and will of course explain it all here.

xo

[merrittwitch]

This morning, as I was checking on the babies, I noticed the red and pale Amaranth had germinated!

I now have the plastic top on the tray propped up, and plan to leave the heat pad going until everyone had germinated. Also keeping an eye out for mold and other seedling killing microbes.

[merrittwitch]

January 1st, I began my winter sowing. Since I don’t have central heating or cooling, I am relying on an old heating pad I bought years ago when I injured myself dancing.

It seems to be doing the trick, because I checked my tray tonight when I arrived home from work to find the Pro-Cut sunflowers had germinated! So excited!

The January Rundown:

- Pro-Cut Sunflowers x 6 (est. 3 days to germinate)

- Moulin Rouge Sunflowers x 8

- Black Chili Peppers x 8

- Hot & Pink Peppers x 4

- Poblano Peppers x 4

- Sweet Banana Peppers x 2

- Red Amaranth x 2

- Coral Amaranth x 2

- Wheat Amaranth x 2

- Black Crystal Pansies x 4

- True Blood Roses x 4

- Black Baccara Roses x 4

I cant wait to see what pops up over the next few days. My next sowing session will happen in February with beans, peas, herbs, and more cut flowers.

[merrittwitch]

Lets kick this blog off with a few of my favorite garden photos from 2018.