Morning Glories 2008 #26

Another bloom on Heian Umi X Rose Silk. The photo really doesn't do this bloom justice. I love seeing this one when it blooms. The blooms are huge and just a beautiful rich colors!

Here's a little NOID growing and blooming in one of the outdoor pots.

I know y'all are probably tired, tired, tired of seeing my Blue Star vine, but I never tire of it ... so y'all have to suffer with another photo of the blooms this morning. Since the weather has warmed up, the blooms now are wilted and closed up by afternoon.

lol...and we got snow this morning~!

... we got ice....

I never get tired of seeing your pictures of all blooms and birds and butterflies and OWLS! Keep 'em goin' Becky. LOVE Blue Star. My first blue star turned out square.

I got a new dual arc bulb for my 1,000 watt Ballast with red spectrum AND blue spectrum, the whole rainbow in one bulb. It's a new bulb type and was stocked at the local hydroponics store. The red is 600W and the Blue is 400W so it will be good for babies and big kids. And you can take pictures with it on because it doesn't turn out looking like the inside of an oven... or a gay nightclub...

speaking of hydro, has anyone tried MGs hydroponically? I'm gonna.

My little room:

so far so ... many! These are just a few. I always get myself in trouble by planting too many so I am thinking hydroponics for that reason (smaller space requirements, smaller root systems sustained by pure nutrients producing higher yields and blooms) as well as fewer pest problems. Of course I want to grow tomatoes and herbs in there too. Got alot of studying to do first. If anyone has grown MGs in hydro, please do tell.

snowing here...great blooms everyone!

Tony - Your Star of India is a paler version it appears. Pretty color! And I love your Zinnia bed! My butterflies flock to the Zinnias when I grow those flowers! They are a good nectar plant. Save those seed heads! :-)

Shawna - I, too, have thought about trying my hand at hydroponics. When I put the seeds into the quart pots, I was thinking it is a smaller area for the roots, but if I keep it watered and fertilized ... will it matter, as long as the basic needs are met? When you get more information, maybe you could start a new thread with information you obtain and photos. I would love to learn more myself! Thanks for bringing that topic up! Your plants are looking awesome! Do you have a smoke detector in that little building? I always worry with space heaters and extra grow lights. Be safe!

It was up near the 80s today! My plants think it is Spring! sheesh! Watch us get hit with a cold blast soon ...

I was fortunate to be in the store when some other folks came in and were thinking of switching their tomatoes to soilless growing so they could grow them in the winter and sell them to restaurants, and so we got a great demo and tutorial from the store owner. I've been looking online for awhile now and bought a couple books yesterday, so I will keep my discoveries in my garden blog and one day hopefully a new way of growing MGs and a new thread will be forthcoming.

I saw a demo on Youtube on how to make hydro tanks for under $50. The food is pure vitamins and minerals mixed in the water and the roots are constantly flushed in an ebb and flow method. I ate the tomatoes from the growing tanks at the store and they were amazing. It seems healthy, efficient and more carefree. And less water in the long run is actually used. Problems with pests and fungus are greatly reduced. So far I see only benefits and few if any drawbacks.

When I look at the space I used last year for my indoor MG growing I see now that I could double the plants (and blooms) in the same amount of space. I pulled a couple volunteers out of a pot I salvaged from outside yesterday and some seedlings roots were 4X as long as the plant. Perhaps they don't need to stretch so much if the food is more readily available to them.... maybe they can just relax and enjoy life and light. (the whole point?)

If we had the search feature enabled, I'd search the forums....

yes smoke detectors and the safest radiant heaters I could find. I plan on getting central heat in here next year. I just checked my little chamber and while its 20 outside that little plastic room is 86. There is a fan, a humidifier and a radiator. I just applied systemic pest control and sprayed for fungus and ooh, guess what! I have a few clematis cuttings taking root! WOOO HOO! I can't believe it. i have little green nodes sprouting on several dormant cuttings I took a couple weeks ago. They just looked like crusty sticks dangling off the old vines and I thought I'd try it. This makes me very happy.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2008 9:22 AM

Becky, Yes, butterflies do love zinnias, I've had mostly swallowtails and monarchs on mine.

Some pics from this morning.

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Nice photos gardenpom! The colors are awesome when the flash is not used.

Joseph

Shawna - I hope that you are able to experiment with the hydroponics and share it with all of us! I am very interested to learn more, too! Glad your wonderful set-up is done so safely. I had my garage set-up last year with grow lights for my water lilies, but not bothering this year. If the water plants make it outdoors ... fine! If not ... oh well ...

That is very cool about your clematis cuttings taking root!!! I am hoping that my 3 meager clematis vines make it this year. They are beautiful vines and blooms too! :-) I've got some new Passiflora seeds to germinate as well. Gosh! I think I am going to need a bigger yard! LOL!

gardenpom - As always, such amazing photos! :-) Always a pleasure to see!!

Thanks everyone....here are some more pics taken this morning.

2nd shot.

3rd shot.

4th shot.

5th shot.

6th and final shot.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=5902779
GARDENPOM THIS SHOULD BE ON NEXT YEARS CALENDER......NOT YELLING LAZY
GREAT SHOT~!!

Thank you!

Time for a new thread, # 27

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/933587