Observations, questions, and information ...

I just had to start this thread. Every year I start noticing things which begins a series of questions and hopefully information. :-)

This is something that keeps popping into my head ...

I am seriously thinking of starting some MG seeds in styrofoam cups. I don't want to remove the seedling once they sprout in the cups, but instead cut the bottom of the cup off, and plant it in the ground - cup and all! The reason? Number 1 - Would the insulated cup help to keep the plant temps consistent? Number 2 - Would leaving the narrowing cup base buried in the ground help to promote deeper growing roots? Why? Because in this heat in my zone, these poor plants seem to get fried every day the sun is out during this time of year. I have noticed that the roots on most of my MGs are not that deep. They seem to grow closer to the surface of the soil which in turn cooks them! Perhaps the white cups would deflect the sun rays too? I don't know. I am thinking it is time to try an experiment...

Observation of my current grow out of MGs ...

Heed this warning! I collected some seed pods today. I've had rain for several weeks, every day. It is very hot and humid right now during this time of year. As I opened some of the pods, I found some seeds already sprouting right inside the seed pods! Holy Cow!!! That's not good!!

These two sprouts in the bottom of the photo came from the 4-colors NOID volunteer vine growing along the picket fence. I will of course be planting BOTH seeds. But one of the newly emerging plants looks a bit fried on the tip of what must be - a "root"? I don't know as I usually just plant my seeds not start them with the baggie method. Anyone care to clarify what I am seeing in my photo?

My advice ... if you are getting a lot of rain and the seeds are ripening, collect them promptly. I have also found mold in the past on the seeds if they were left in those humid conditions for too long.

I figured I would start this thread for folks to post their observations, questions, and any replies to those posting.

This message was edited Jul 5, 2009 12:45 PM

Interesting picture of the seed pods...

So are you saying you are going to the baggie seed spout method now? If so why are you changing?

Janet

You know I start alot of seeds in plastic water bottles, invert them into the ground, never disturb the roots, but here is the seed sprout plastic cup with bottom cut out of the vines by my back door.. you can see both the plastiv water bottle stuck into the ground, Like i did last year, and the plastic cup as well.. I do believe having other smaller plants around the vines seem to help with keeping the roots cool, and helps to drink up excess water.. styrofoam is good insulation, I just don't use them because we drink bottled water.. if I did use them, I have access to them at work ( recycle bins) and as far as mold goes, if the seeds on anything isn't totally dry, you are gonna get mold if they are bagged up in plastic.. I wrap in newspaper and tie the packagewith yarn, marked what is in them on the outside on a long marker , and store OUTSIDE in a net tote from dollar store, under the patio table.. I learned my lesson last year.. I had mold,, growing things in baggies, and all sorts of unidentified things.. *sigh*