OK the next time is now here where I last left off from http://www.gardenstew.com/about18478-60.html Early this month I when I checked my home mailbox, I was pleasantly surprised with an envelope from my sis-in-law from the US. In the envelope is a packet of heat resistance Romaine Lettuce. Romaine Lettuce From US ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The very next day I had some of the seeds packed into kitchen towel and bagged for germination. Germinating ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Forty-eight hours later I was really surprised to see some of the seeds had sprouted roots. Sprouts ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Those that had sprouted roots were transferred into modified egg trays with compost which is my standard starter pots. My Standard Starter pots. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Leaves sprouted after 96 hours .... yahoo!! First leaves. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) When the seedlings have 3 leaves, they were transferred to their specially prepared bed to grow. Three leaves rule. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The raised bed is under the tropical pine tree to provide partial shade from the scorching sun. Under the Tree ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) This time I really do hope to see some real Romaine Lettuce and I got 10 seedlings growing now. Hmmmm.....keeping my fingers crossed that they will be sweet and crunchy
Gosh those certinly grew fast for you didn't they. I hope they keep growing well and remain healthy until it's time to crop them. Do let us know how they are doing won't you?
Aarrguuhhhhhh!!!!!! :-x They were all eaten by some sorts of critters!!! Only one left!!! Just wait till I catch this fella who thinks its funny!!!
Oh no!! I know how frustrating that can be. I hope the remaining does well for you. I think maybe you should cage it in.
Eileen, Netty sorry my episode with the romaine came to an unexpected rude ending :'( . Looks like I have to start all over again ..... hmmmm.. end of chapter 1 and into chapter 2 Thanks Eileen, Thanks Netty, ya thanks you so much for your encouragement and I shall move on to Chapter 2
wow kk! i never have seen heat resistant Romaine before. now i'm going to have to find some seed and try it. i still have a couple of other 'summer' lettuces to try this year. sorry to hear about the naughty critter eating your crop. sending you lots of luck for chapter 2!
You did really well, KK! You made it look so easy. I sure hope that you will have a good harvest from those. Keep posting progress pics, would you?
KK, another lettuce that I have found fairly heat tolerant in 97 degree Texas heat is Paris Island Cos. It is a romaine type in growth habit and flavor. Although mine has grown taller it still hasn`t started to bolt yet. And it was planted fairly early. My Buttercrunch hasn`t bolted yet either.
What a shame they were eaten. I dread that when I plant things on the allotment - all of that time, effort and love, only for a greedy critter to scoff them without a care in the world. Will you start again??
Thanks Daisy I started on Chapter 2 yesterday morning Bunkie this is also the very first time I saw and used it. I mentioned it to my sis-in-law after Mart mentioned about the heat resistance kind in the "Indoor Lettuce" topic ...remember??? Sojerd, err ... what harvest? They were all eaten up by some no good pest. Anyway I had already started a new batch Mart, thanks I'll keep that in mind. EJ, I fully agree with you and yes I had already started a new batch. Went to the hardware shop this evening to check on wire mesh to make some kind of cage for the new batch of romaines, Wow!!! the prices of wire meshes had really sky rocketed here so it is a no no. Anyway the shopowner said that it is not my while it I do not even know what the culprit is. After some discussion he concluded that it is snails/slugs and it is better to get rid of them then just preventing them from reaching the plant. Hmmmm ..... googled about snails/slugs and there are lots of way to get rid of them and I am starting right this very night...he!he!he!!!!
Snails, slugs and other critters,,, If wire mesh is too pricey,,see if there is a fabric shop near you. You can get almost the same thing in a fabric. Its the stuff they use for some doll making projects and the old petticoats we ladies of the 50`s used to wear. It may be less expensive for you. You can also set your planting pot on a stand inside a larger one and pour beer in the bottom pan. Snails and slugs love beer and will crawl in and drown leaving your plants alone.
KK I've got a idea for you. I know you like to reuse things and the use of unconventional stuff. Take a empty plastic soda bottle (coke) cut the top off abot 1 1/2 inches down. Turm the top around and insert it in to the bottle. Cap taken off. Staple it in place. Put litle beer in it. Slugs go in and drink beer and don't come out. I have used saucers for berr but my dogs drink it slugs and all YUCK!! Will post some pics if you need me to.
