Progress

~ BalconyD8

So it’s been a while and we’ve been a bit caught up with work, but have been slowly making progress with the balcony and window plants. We’ve taken the bamboo wigwams off the big aloes because they seem to have stabilised in their new ceramic pots. The bamboo is now supporting the two large tomato plants, although we might need something bigger for the black cherry tomato pretty soon.

But first, here are some pics from 11th April that we forgot to post:

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And here’s the view from today:

The baby Black Crim tomato plant is doing well.
The baby Black Crim tomato plant is doing well.

 

The smaller of the two tomato plants, which we thought were both black cherry, is in fact a surviving Black Crim! The flowers are bigger and look at this beast! Currently measures about 1 5/8" x 2" and has beautiful dark green stripey markings. Hopefully we'll get a few more...
The smaller of the two tomato plants, which we thought were both black cherry, is in fact a surviving Black Crim! The flowers are bigger and look at this beast! Currently measures about 1 5/8″ x 2″ and has beautiful dark green stripey markings. Hopefully we’ll get a few more…

 

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Black Crim flowers, lots of. We’ve been having a little fun trying to get them pollinated, but that’s for another post.

 

The black cherry tomato plant has started fruiting, SO EXCITING!! They’re not ready yet, but getting there. The folks say they’ve come quite early for the season and also that cherry tomatoes seem to grow easier than bigger varieties. Dizzy with success right now. Giving them a weekly feed of course, and watering nearly every day. The leaves wilt very quickly when they’re drying out, then perk up just as fast.

 

The first black cherry tomato starting to take on a rusty orange tone.
The first black cherry tomato starting to take on a rusty orange tone.

 

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Our previously poorly chilli plants (aphids last year!!) are perking up a bit with lots of new flowers and a couple of little chilli peppers. They’re still an odd shape but lots of little tiny shoots are sprouting out of the main stems so hopefully they’ll get a bit bushier and a little less lopsided.

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The original seeds seem to have been nicked from this. Got it in my stocking at Christmas. Stuck in some purple ruffles basil, Thai basil, sweet Genovese basil, cinnamon basil and coriander. All but one type are up as little seedlings with the coriander the quickest off the mark.
The original seeds seem to have been nicked from this. Got it in my stocking at Christmas. Stuck in some purple ruffles basil, Thai basil, sweet Genovese basil, cinnamon basil and coriander. All but one type are up as little seedlings with the coriander the quickest off the mark. Planted it up at 4 in the morning after a night out, so wasn’t in the best state to remember to mark which is which, will just have to wait and see.

 

The baby aloes don't seem to have rooted so well, but they're still alive. Trying to pawn them on unsuspecting house guests.
The baby aloes don’t seem to have rooted so well, but they’re still alive. Trying to pawn them on unsuspecting house guests.

 

At last! The first batch of Alpine strawberries didn't grow at all. Planted some more in this little pot and nothing happened for weeks and weeks so popped exactly 3 more seeds in and now bam we have 7!
At last! The first batch of Alpine strawberries didn’t grow at all. Planted some more in this little pot and nothing happened for weeks and weeks so popped exactly 3 more seeds in and now bam we have 7!

 

Our rescue poinsettia looking very beautiful with its red leaves
Our rescue poinsettia looking very beautiful with its red leaves

 

So this is turning into a monster post so gonna divide it into two. Coming up, the view from outside and some wildlife spotted from between the bars.

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