Update on the great tomato experiment. It failed. The last of its leaves withered away to nothingness. It did not survive the Arizona heat. Goodbye tomatoes and thank you for the flowers 
Archive for the ‘Green Thumb’ Category
Post Comment
Tomato Update
2009
10.21
10.21
Jalapeño Harvest
2009
09.18
09.18
This is our first jalapeño harvest and it was quite enjoyable to pick a vegetable fruit from your own garden pot. It was interesting to see it grow just beside your window sill. We had fun picking the fruit no matter how little the harvest is. We were thinking of ripening it before harvesting but we just can’t wait. It already has a brown light surface when we took it. So we thought that’s enough for picking. And off it went to the kitchen, straight to the dish onto our stomach lol.
In this picture another pod is coming out.
Waiting for the next harvest ^_^
Tomato Development
2009
06.28
06.28
Just after the first bloom of the jalapeños, my tomato starts showing flower growth too! Oh, I just feel that my plants love me back. I also noticed that few stems were branching out, expanding even more. I’m so excited to finally see some tiny tomatoes coming out of these precious flowers!
First Bloom
2009
06.23
06.23
I was so happy to finally see my jalapeño developing flowers. I know that I might have pollinating problems ahead, since I’m growing them indoors. No butterflies, bees or flies to help them so I need to artificially pollinate it for a successful growth. I read that dabbing at the flowers with q-tip and then rub it on the next flower might do the trick. Let’s see. I’ll post an update on how it goes.
DIY: Hanging Plant Stand
2009
06.05
06.05
The materials used to make the plant stand were all taken from the available supplies I can grab at home. The bottom support was the base used on our Christmas tree stand. Then find left over woods and nails from your previous DIY projects.
Materials:
Christmas tree stand
2 Woods, one longer than the other
Nails
2 to 4 J hook clamp with nails or use ordinary nails
Tape
Hammer
Directions:
1. Form the framework “T” and nail in the center to secure the position. You can also put a tape around it to stabilize it.
2. Place the hook clamp with nails each side where the pots need to be hanged.
3. Put the framework on the stand.
Looking for materials you already have and a little touch of creativity can save you bucks and gives your plant a suitable place for hanging.
DIY: Hanging Tomato
2009
05.08
05.08
I’ve transplanted two of my tomato seedlings to their own pots two weeks ago and have put them on a hanging container. I was curious how it will grow upside-down while seeing this method in a website, so I’ve decided to try this approach. The first few days were bit stressful for the seedlings as they were still growing upwards then only a week or so only they’ve started to scale downwards.
Here are the materials I’ve used for planting the tomatoes upside-down:
1. Tomato plant
2. Hanging container
3. Potting mix
4. Cutter
5. Tape
Method:
1. Cut a hole in the middle of the hanging container.
2. Put tape on the hole of the container and cut a cross on the tape.
3. Turn the container over the tomato plant and carefully guiding the plant though the hole.
4. Then turn it right-side up and remove the original seedling container.
5. Put soil, hang and water.
I’m pretty excited how this will turn out and hopefully it will be fruitful 
Jalapeño
2009
04.22
04.22
I’ve decided to add jalapeños (pod type of Capsicum) to my so called container garden. I bought a 6” plant instead of growing from seed. It will be nice addition and company to the tomato seedlings. It looks like I’m starting a salsa garden Just needed the onion and cilantro!
Two tips on growing jalapeños:
1. They like dry and sandy soil.
2. Only water when the leaves show signs of stress.
I am no expert and still need to constantly read on how to better take care of these guys. It will be a challenge and hopefully it grows well.
Happy Family
Tomato: Hang it or Cage it?
2009
04.16
04.16
The third tomato I seeded decided to show up on the ninth day. That one was a fighter, striving along with the other two seedlings. I’ve noticed that the seedlings were all leaning towards the light coming in from the window. I was worried, so I made sure to move it to the opposite side each day to straighten them up. The stems are starting to turn deep purple now and the true leaves have come out. I was thinking of either transferring them in a big container and worry later on how to make the cage to hold it or use a plant hanger to plant it upside down. Tomatoes naturally grows down so it will be less stressful fighting against gravity, in turn it can focus on growing faster, bigger, and bearing more fruit. I have to decide fast as these fellows are growing up so fast.
9th day. Hello world!
Growing fast