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Why is Nothing Growing
Good Afternoon
I hope you may be able to offer some comments on my lack of success with my balcony garden. For nearly two years I have tried growing simple annuals in long rectangular plastic pots. I have used everything from cheap, to good trade name potting soil. Sunshine, good food, water, nothing makes any difference. I buy strong, healthy seedlings from K-Mart but half don't grow and those that do, offer four or five blooms then just seem to give up. I have bought many dozens of plants, in about six different varieties, all quite simple. I have noticed that, when in despair, after a couple of months I pull them out, the roots have just not grown at all. What am I doing that is wrong ? Would appreciate your comments. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) |
#2
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Why is Nothing Growing
kathleen spencer wrote:
Good Afternoon I hope you may be able to offer some comments on my lack of success with my balcony garden. For nearly two years I have tried growing simple annuals in long rectangular plastic pots. I have used everything from cheap, to good trade name potting soil. Sunshine, good food, water, nothing makes any difference. I buy strong, healthy seedlings from K-Mart but half don't grow and those that do, offer four or five blooms then just seem to give up. I have bought many dozens of plants, in about six different varieties, all quite simple. I have noticed that, when in despair, after a couple of months I pull them out, the roots have just not grown at all. What am I doing that is wrong ? Would appreciate your comments. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) It could be your karma, that'll do it every time. Think back, have you ever killed a Chinaman? |
#3
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Why is Nothing Growing
Thank you Jonno.
Do not have transport and am nowhere near a Nursery plus finances run to K-Mart only. Have used good "Food" all trace elements incorporated, have also balanced soil. None of these things help. Green plants grow like crazy but flowers, no way. Thanks for your help. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Jonno" wrote in message ... rapdor wrote: kathleen spencer wrote: Good Afternoon I hope you may be able to offer some comments on my lack of success with my balcony garden. For nearly two years I have tried growing simple annuals in long rectangular plastic pots. I have used everything from cheap, to good trade name potting soil. Sunshine, good food, water, nothing makes any difference. I buy strong, healthy seedlings from K-Mart but half don't grow and those that do, offer four or five blooms then just seem to give up. I have bought many dozens of plants, in about six different varieties, all quite simple. I have noticed that, when in despair, after a couple of months I pull them out, the roots have just not grown at all. What am I doing that is wrong ? Would appreciate your comments. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) It could be your karma, that'll do it every time. Think back, have you ever killed a Chinaman? Er Chinamen maight make good compost, but thats a bit drastic. Try adding some "trace" elements. Potting is not known for having a lot of this in them. Also check the artificial soil for ph whether its alkaline of acid. By the way, K mart are known for their lack of advice. Suggest a local nursery who can advice better than them. And it would be great to know how you do. Also, a timed watering system is of help here. |
#4
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Why is Nothing Growing
Rapdor said
It could be your karma, that'll do it every time. Think back, have you ever killed a Chinaman? It's either that or I'm holding my mouth the wrong way:-) Kate |
#5
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Why is Nothing Growing
What about adding Potash ?. I've had sucess with it when all was green and
no flowers in sight. |
#6
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Why is Nothing Growing
Did try that as it was something my sister recommended, didn't help.
I can't understand why the roots don't grow. Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate the help. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "zorrro" wrote in message ... What about adding Potash ?. I've had sucess with it when all was green and no flowers in sight. |
#7
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Why is Nothing Growing
kathleen spencer wrote:
Did try that as it was something my sister recommended, didn't help. I can't understand why the roots don't grow. Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate the help. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "zorrro" wrote in message ... What about adding Potash ?. I've had sucess with it when all was green and no flowers in sight. Sounds like position (maybe) Are they facing the sun? Anything that grows gets at least the morning sun. Watering is also important. Are they drying out? Are they too wet? What are you trying to grow? |
#8
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Why is Nothing Growing
Jonno wrote:
kathleen spencer wrote: Did try that as it was something my sister recommended, didn't help. I can't understand why the roots don't grow. Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate the help. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "zorrro" wrote in message ... What about adding Potash ?. I've had sucess with it when all was green and no flowers in sight. Sounds like position (maybe) Are they facing the sun? Anything that grows gets at least the morning sun. Watering is also important. Are they drying out? Are they too wet? What are you trying to grow? After learning all about computers, flowers are easy. Just follow this link. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/ or here http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/ And use google if you have more problems. It may be too much fertilizer as well. Try a cheap potting mix without fertilizer...Then use aqausol or similar to feed it. Easy to control what you add then. Put some cucumbers or tomatoes in the soil you have now and see whar develops... |
#9
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Why is Nothing Growing
Thank you for all these midnight thoughts.
Re Computers, don't get me started. Will try the links you have provided. Growing simple things like Petunias, Marigolds, the Cineraria grew quite nicely. Will put in some tomatoes and see what happens. Thanks again. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Jonno" wrote in message ... Jonno wrote: kathleen spencer wrote: Did try that as it was something my sister recommended, didn't help. I can't understand why the roots don't grow. Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate the help. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "zorrro" wrote in message ... What about adding Potash ?. I've had sucess with it when all was green and no flowers in sight. Sounds like position (maybe) Are they facing the sun? Anything that grows gets at least the morning sun. Watering is also important. Are they drying out? Are they too wet? What are you trying to grow? Just a thought at midnight, you have good drainange in the pots eg holes and pebbles to allow excess water to drain? |
#10
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Why is Nothing Growing
In article ,
"kathleen spencer" wrote: I hope you may be able to offer some comments on my lack of success with my balcony garden. For nearly two years I have tried growing simple annuals in long rectangular plastic pots. I have used everything from cheap, to good trade name potting soil. Sunshine, good food, water, nothing makes any difference. I buy strong, healthy seedlings from K-Mart but half don't grow and those that do, offer four or five blooms then just seem to give up. I have bought many dozens of plants, in about six different varieties, all quite simple. I have noticed that, when in despair, after a couple of months I pull them out, the roots have just not grown at all. What am I doing that is wrong ? My first thought is that I have NEVER EVER seen a strong healthy seedling in a K-Mart. I have seen a lot of horribly pot-bound ones (apart from the ones that just haven't been watered, and then there were the ones that had been in a/c and were freezing to death!). When you plant your seedlings, are there lots of roots showing around the edges when you take it out to plant? Is the plant taller than the punnet is deep? Try some seeds instead. Bear in mind that the wind/sun/shade problems on balconies tend to make them very harsh environments. -- Chookie -- Sydney, Australia (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply) "... if *I* was buying a baby I'd jolly well make sure it was at least a two-tooth!" Mary Grant Bruce, The Houses of the Eagle. |
#11
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Why is Nothing Growing
Yes, I must say some have been pot-bound and some languishing but then with
the "healthy" looking ones, three or four out of one punnet will grow long enough to produce a few flowers and the rest just sit and sulk. The seeds I planted were so weak and fragile that after about 8 weeks they could hardly stand up. I think I have to accept that when it comes to flowers I am sudden death. I will try tomatoes as was suggested. Many thanks. Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Chookie" wrote in message news:ehrebeniuk- "kathleen spencer" wrote: My first thought is that I have NEVER EVER seen a strong healthy seedling in a K-Mart. I have seen a lot of horribly pot-bound ones (apart from the ones that just haven't been watered, and then there were the ones that had been in a/c and were freezing to death!). When you plant your seedlings, are there lots of roots showing around the edges when you take it out to plant? Is the plant taller than the punnet is deep? Try some seeds instead. Bear in mind that the wind/sun/shade problems on balconies tend to make them very harsh environments. -- |
#12
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Why is Nothing Growing
Coming in late on this thread, but I can say I grew a lovely balcony
garden when I was at Uni and I did it in K-Mart potting soil and cast-off greengrocer's styrofoam boxes. Tips I can sha If this is your first garden and you're watching it daily (as I did), resist the temptation to overwater. It's better to use some kind of mulch (I used shredded paper, but you could use straw or hay or even well-rotted leaves/grass clippings). The K-Mart soil is OK, but would benefit from the addition of some well-rotted horse-poo if you can get it. Lots of others prefer cow- or chook-poo, but I like horse because it contains so much fibrous material. It rots down to make really nice soil! (I got mine from the racecourse... the horse-poo, that is...) Are the containers getting enough sun? That might be a reason for your depressed shoot-growth and increased root-growth. You could try hanging baskets or standing containers up on something to expose them a bit more? Take note of what you're planting. Don't fill a trough with a huge, greedy planting of, say, cinerarias and then add little, vulnerable things like pansies. IIRC, I had a perfectly lovely show of stocks with pansies in front. Another pot had 'Bijou' sweet peas and a miniature rose. Yet another had cherry tomatoes (growing up a bit of old plastic lattice) and a pumpkin vine that spilled over the balcony and threatened those walking in the cloister below! LOLOLOLOL! Oh, and the strawberries were *great*! I carefully put sheets of paper (old essays) beneath the fruit as they ripened and the plants grew like mad! A hint for a pretty spilling-over balcony plant: White clover! It will riot over a balcony or out of a hanging basket, smells like honey and gives you a lovely bridal-veil of huge creamy flowers. Omit this if you're not big on bees, though. They'll come from miles around! Oh yes, and one more thing! Drainage! If your balcony is sunny, it could be that your soil will dry out very quickly. Using mulch is good, but it might also be an idea to line your pots or troughs with a thick layer of newspaper (into which you've punched a few big holes). This will help prevent water from running straight out. Hah! And the last thing (sorry to be so long-winded) is to ask your nursery supplier for some plant hormone powder. You don't want the rooting hormone (gibberellic acid), it's the other one (whose name I temporarily disremember) you're after. It will promote shoot growth to balance out what the roots are doing. HTH, -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
#13
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Why is Nothing Growing
All sounds wonderful Trish and if were not studying Horticulture, then you
should have been. In answer to all who were kind enough to respond. There is plenty of sunshine, pots have good drainage, nothing is crowded and as the roots just don't grow there is no likelihood of that happening. I don't think I am over watering as there was a time when I could be relied upon to kill any plant in site by drowning it I now poke my finger in the soil to test for dryness. I did not buy anything today as I was pressed for time and I wanted to apply the advice you all gave before I choose my next victims, including tomatoes. My thanks to all Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Trish Brown" wrote in message ... Coming in late on this thread, but I can say I grew a lovely balcony garden when I was at Uni and I did it in K-Mart potting soil and cast-off greengrocer's styrofoam boxes. Tips I can sha If this is your first garden and you're watching it daily (as I did), resist the temptation to overwater. It's better to use some kind of mulch (I used shredded paper, but you could use straw or hay or even well-rotted leaves/grass clippings). The K-Mart soil is OK, but would benefit from the addition of some well-rotted horse-poo if you can get it. Lots of others prefer cow- or chook-poo, but I like horse because it contains so much fibrous material. It rots down to make really nice soil! (I got mine from the racecourse... the horse-poo, that is...) Are the containers getting enough sun? That might be a reason for your depressed shoot-growth and increased root-growth. You could try hanging baskets or standing containers up on something to expose them a bit more? Take note of what you're planting. Don't fill a trough with a huge, greedy planting of, say, cinerarias and then add little, vulnerable things like pansies. IIRC, I had a perfectly lovely show of stocks with pansies in front. Another pot had 'Bijou' sweet peas and a miniature rose. Yet another had cherry tomatoes (growing up a bit of old plastic lattice) and a pumpkin vine that spilled over the balcony and threatened those walking in the cloister below! LOLOLOLOL! Oh, and the strawberries were *great*! I carefully put sheets of paper (old essays) beneath the fruit as they ripened and the plants grew like mad! A hint for a pretty spilling-over balcony plant: White clover! It will riot over a balcony or out of a hanging basket, smells like honey and gives you a lovely bridal-veil of huge creamy flowers. Omit this if you're not big on bees, though. They'll come from miles around! Oh yes, and one more thing! Drainage! If your balcony is sunny, it could be that your soil will dry out very quickly. Using mulch is good, but it might also be an idea to line your pots or troughs with a thick layer of newspaper (into which you've punched a few big holes). This will help prevent water from running straight out. Hah! And the last thing (sorry to be so long-winded) is to ask your nursery supplier for some plant hormone powder. You don't want the rooting hormone (gibberellic acid), it's the other one (whose name I temporarily disremember) you're after. It will promote shoot growth to balance out what the roots are doing. HTH, -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
#14
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Why is Nothing Growing
kathleen spencer wrote:
All sounds wonderful Trish and if were not studying Horticulture, then you should have been. In answer to all who were kind enough to respond. There is plenty of sunshine, pots have good drainage, nothing is crowded and as the roots just don't grow there is no likelihood of that happening. I don't think I am over watering as there was a time when I could be relied upon to kill any plant in site by drowning it I now poke my finger in the soil to test for dryness. I did not buy anything today as I was pressed for time and I wanted to apply the advice you all gave before I choose my next victims, including tomatoes. My thanks to all Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Trish Brown" wrote in message ... Coming in late on this thread, but I can say I grew a lovely balcony garden when I was at Uni and I did it in K-Mart potting soil and cast-off greengrocer's styrofoam boxes. Tips I can sha If this is your first garden and you're watching it daily (as I did), resist the temptation to overwater. It's better to use some kind of mulch (I used shredded paper, but you could use straw or hay or even well-rotted leaves/grass clippings). The K-Mart soil is OK, but would benefit from the addition of some well-rotted horse-poo if you can get it. Lots of others prefer cow- or chook-poo, but I like horse because it contains so much fibrous material. It rots down to make really nice soil! (I got mine from the racecourse... the horse-poo, that is...) Are the containers getting enough sun? That might be a reason for your depressed shoot-growth and increased root-growth. You could try hanging baskets or standing containers up on something to expose them a bit more? Take note of what you're planting. Don't fill a trough with a huge, greedy planting of, say, cinerarias and then add little, vulnerable things like pansies. IIRC, I had a perfectly lovely show of stocks with pansies in front. Another pot had 'Bijou' sweet peas and a miniature rose. Yet another had cherry tomatoes (growing up a bit of old plastic lattice) and a pumpkin vine that spilled over the balcony and threatened those walking in the cloister below! LOLOLOLOL! Oh, and the strawberries were *great*! I carefully put sheets of paper (old essays) beneath the fruit as they ripened and the plants grew like mad! A hint for a pretty spilling-over balcony plant: White clover! It will riot over a balcony or out of a hanging basket, smells like honey and gives you a lovely bridal-veil of huge creamy flowers. Omit this if you're not big on bees, though. They'll come from miles around! Oh yes, and one more thing! Drainage! If your balcony is sunny, it could be that your soil will dry out very quickly. Using mulch is good, but it might also be an idea to line your pots or troughs with a thick layer of newspaper (into which you've punched a few big holes). This will help prevent water from running straight out. Hah! And the last thing (sorry to be so long-winded) is to ask your nursery supplier for some plant hormone powder. You don't want the rooting hormone (gibberellic acid), it's the other one (whose name I temporarily disremember) you're after. It will promote shoot growth to balance out what the roots are doing. HTH, -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia Ah sounds good. Victims! You dont test for dryness. You test for moisture. (youre either an optimist or pessimist)(grin!) The best gardeners look what grows, and picks the plants that are the best survivors, after a while you can mix in some of those which didnt make it last time. I found hoyas to be great too on balconies Morning sun only though. They faint with hi temp noon sun/wind. Try a few succulents too and graduate from there. Tomatoes, can grow well, as can cucumbers. You dont need containers, just cut the "5 tick" potting mix bag open, plant the tomatoes, and make sure you put some drain holes at the side and bottom (make sure the drain holes work too)Keep them Wet, you have to water regularly. I have found the very thin plastic tubing we used for craft years ago to be great for keeping water on plants. you need to play with height of supply to get nice slow drip but it works. Fill up the main container of water and add liquid fertiliser occasionally. Youve almost got a hydroponic system going. Er be carefull what you grow...Some things are 'ighly illegal...(grin)No hints... Good luck and most of all make it fascinating and observe. Its all great fun and relaxing... PS I worked with Pete C from the ABC and tought him how to work...B4 he became famous. He wasnt a garderner then. |
#15
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Why is Nothing Growing
Pleased to be able to help.
kathleen spencer wrote: It was nice to visit here, I will let you all know what (being positive) grows. Kate "Jonno" wrote in message u... kathleen spencer wrote: All sounds wonderful Trish and if were not studying Horticulture, then you should have been. In answer to all who were kind enough to respond. There is plenty of sunshine, pots have good drainage, nothing is crowded and as the roots just don't grow there is no likelihood of that happening. I don't think I am over watering as there was a time when I could be relied upon to kill any plant in site by drowning it I now poke my finger in the soil to test for dryness. I did not buy anything today as I was pressed for time and I wanted to apply the advice you all gave before I choose my next victims, including tomatoes. My thanks to all Kind Regards Kate (Sydney, Australia) "Trish Brown" wrote in message ... Coming in late on this thread, but I can say I grew a lovely balcony garden when I was at Uni and I did it in K-Mart potting soil and cast-off greengrocer's styrofoam boxes. Tips I can sha If this is your first garden and you're watching it daily (as I did), resist the temptation to overwater. It's better to use some kind of mulch (I used shredded paper, but you could use straw or hay or even well-rotted leaves/grass clippings). The K-Mart soil is OK, but would benefit from the addition of some well-rotted horse-poo if you can get it. Lots of others prefer cow- or chook-poo, but I like horse because it contains so much fibrous material. It rots down to make really nice soil! (I got mine from the racecourse... the horse-poo, that is...) Are the containers getting enough sun? That might be a reason for your depressed shoot-growth and increased root-growth. You could try hanging baskets or standing containers up on something to expose them a bit more? Take note of what you're planting. Don't fill a trough with a huge, greedy planting of, say, cinerarias and then add little, vulnerable things like pansies. IIRC, I had a perfectly lovely show of stocks with pansies in front. Another pot had 'Bijou' sweet peas and a miniature rose. Yet another had cherry tomatoes (growing up a bit of old plastic lattice) and a pumpkin vine that spilled over the balcony and threatened those walking in the cloister below! LOLOLOLOL! Oh, and the strawberries were *great*! I carefully put sheets of paper (old essays) beneath the fruit as they ripened and the plants grew like mad! A hint for a pretty spilling-over balcony plant: White clover! It will riot over a balcony or out of a hanging basket, smells like honey and gives you a lovely bridal-veil of huge creamy flowers. Omit this if you're not big on bees, though. They'll come from miles around! Oh yes, and one more thing! Drainage! If your balcony is sunny, it could be that your soil will dry out very quickly. Using mulch is good, but it might also be an idea to line your pots or troughs with a thick layer of newspaper (into which you've punched a few big holes). This will help prevent water from running straight out. Hah! And the last thing (sorry to be so long-winded) is to ask your nursery supplier for some plant hormone powder. You don't want the rooting hormone (gibberellic acid), it's the other one (whose name I temporarily disremember) you're after. It will promote shoot growth to balance out what the roots are doing. HTH, -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia Ah sounds good. Victims! You dont test for dryness. You test for moisture. (youre either an optimist or pessimist)(grin!) The best gardeners look what grows, and picks the plants that are the best survivors, after a while you can mix in some of those which didnt make it last time. I found hoyas to be great too on balconies Morning sun only though. They faint with hi temp noon sun/wind. Try a few succulents too and graduate from there. Tomatoes, can grow well, as can cucumbers. You dont need containers, just cut the "5 tick" potting mix bag open, plant the tomatoes, and make sure you put some drain holes at the side and bottom (make sure the drain holes work too)Keep them Wet, you have to water regularly. I have found the very thin plastic tubing we used for craft years ago to be great for keeping water on plants. you need to play with height of supply to get nice slow drip but it works. Fill up the main container of water and add liquid fertiliser occasionally. Youve almost got a hydroponic system going. Er be carefull what you grow...Some things are 'ighly illegal...(grin)No hints... Good luck and most of all make it fascinating and observe. Its all great fun and relaxing... PS I worked with Pete C from the ABC and tought him how to work...B4 he became famous. He wasnt a garderner then. |
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