Artichoke Update

I have three artichoke plants at the moment.

Here's the artichoke update :

Plant 1 - This one isn't looking so good. It doesn't get enough sun and (so far) it hasn't flowered.

Plant 2 - This one flowered and I already ate the artichoke that it produced! (It was small but very tasty!)

Plant 3 - This one is flowering as we speak. I decided to let the fruit turn into a flower so that I could collect the seeds and save them for next year. Artichoke seeds are expensive and it looks like I won't ever need to buy them again.

See you soon!

* SunnyStars *

Pumpkin Patch

I have always wanted to grow a whole patch of big healthy pumpkins. I've grown a few pumpkins throughout my life but nothing like how many pumpkins I'm going to grow this year!

I have at least 5 large pumpkin plants that are already growing baby pumpkins on them.

I'm going to get some pictures of them and document the process here. I also plan to write a few articles about Growing Pumpkins to Seed.

I'll keep you posted so Stay Tuned!

* SunnyStars *

Germinating Seeds - Indoors, Paper Towel Method

I'm going to attempt to germinate some seeds today including the following types :

* Pomegranate Seeds ( I am trying to germinate the last four seeds that I have, so wish me luck!)

* Cashew Nut Seeds

* Wisteria Seeds

* Cattails

I'm using the most effective sprouting method for germinating "touchy" seeds that I know of.

You can read my eHow article where I explain how you can germinate seeds indoors using this super easy and effective method. Here is the link :



SunnyStars eHow Article
How to Sprout Plant Seeds Indoors Without Using Dirt



I will let you know if any of my seeds sprout since I check on them daily.

Later Alligator,

- Sunny

Pomegranate Seed Finally Sprouted

This is crazy because I tried many different methods of sprouting these pomegranate seeds that I had bought. None of the methods seemed to be working and none of the seeds were sprouting. So I decided to try my usual method of sprouting used for "touchy" seeds. "The Plastic Baggie Method".

This method of sprouting seeds worked all too well for the pomegranate seed! It worked so well in fact that I'm going to try it with the rest of my (expensive) pomegranate seeds right now!

Whats strange is that I had just wrote an article detailing my plastic baggie method on eHow. This is the "seed sprouting" method that happened to work while no others did.

Here is a link to my eHow article :

How to Sprout Plant Seeds Indoors Without Using Dirt

I will keep you updated concerning the pomegranate seeds and the tiny pomegranate tree (sprout). In addition, I'm working out the whole picture thing.

Later Alligator,

- SunnyStars

Granny Smith Apples

Granny Smith Apple Seeds

I bought a few more bright green, Granny Smith apples from the store and I already ate two of them and although none of the seeds are fully sprouted yet and they don't have any roots coming out of them. The seeds seem to be opening up. The brown outer shell has peeled back which revealed the inner contents of the seed which is white.


I have a feeling that the seeds are in the early stages of sprouting so I am going to plant them immediately! I bet that at least two of these Granny Smith apple seeds will sprout! I can't wait to see their little, baby tree leaves!

Later alligator,

- SunnyStars

Granny Smith Apples

Granny Smith Apples
Baby Trees and Sprouts

I am so happy to report that I am still the rightful owner of two very small but beautiful Granny Smith Apple Trees. At this time they have 3 - 5 leaves and the stem or "baby tree trunk" is less than an inch tall. They are so cute to me, it must be because I know that they are Granny Smith Apple trees. Lol.

Today when I went outside to water them I noticed that another one of my apple seeds sprouted so that brings my total to 3 Granny Smith Apple Trees!

Now I need a lot of land to plant them on! For now I guess they will be fine if I just get them a larger pot.

Stay tuned, I'm trying to get you some pictures of the baby trees ASAP!

- SunnyStars

Granny Smith Apple Seeds

Granny Smith Apple Seeds and Sprouts

About a week ago, I bought 3 green Granny Smith Apples (Malus domestica) from a grocery store and brought them home. I put them in my fridge for about 2 days and then I cut one open to eat it.

Now this is perfect timing because I had just read about this happening the other day but I didn't think it would happen to me especially the very next time that I bought some granny smith apples! I'm very happy about this and I'm pleased to report that when I opened the first apple up I found an apple seed inside that had already sprouted!

The next day I opened the second apple looking for sprouts. There weren't any sprouts so I carefully removed the seeds. I will try to germinate these seeds as well. The next day I opened the last apple and low and behold I found another granny smith apple seed that had sprouted inside of the apple!

Both of my apple tree sprouts are healthy and I have already taken them outside and placed them in a semi shady location. I am going to keep the dirt moist and replant them when necessary.

I have heard that my apple trees might not turn out to grow granny smith apples and that the seeds might have gotten hybridized during pollination. Even if it takes 2 - 5 years for my apple trees to bare fruit, I am still going to grow these trees up and see what kind of fruit they grow.

And of course, I will take pictures and keep you updated! =)

See ya soon,

Sunny

Sat-4-25-09 My Pomegranate Seeds Arrived!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Pomegranate Seeds

I ordered some pomegranate seeds off of eBay a few days ago and they arrived in the mail today.
I followed the instructions that came with the seeds, which directed me to soak the seeds in warm water for two hours and then plant them in loose/moist soil.

I didn't plant all of the pomegranate seeds so that I could save some of them. Just in case the seeds that I'm sprouting at the moment happen to NOT sprout for some awful reason.

I am also trying a totally different sprouting technique with three of the pomegranate seeds. I am trying to maximize my chances of having any of the seeds sprout. I will keep you updated on both of my seed sprouting processes and I will take plenty of pictures of my new pomegranate adventure.

My whole family has been begging me to grow them some pomegranates and finally the time has come and I'm super happy about it!

I will take pictures throughout the entire growing process of the pomegranate seeds so STAY TUNED! =)

See you soon!

- Sunny

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Today I am attempting to sprout Pomegranate seeds, Walnut Seeds, Raspberry Seeds,

Apple Seeds, Blueberry Seeds, Strawberry Seeds and so much more!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sunday, March 15, 2009

My seeds are sprouting tiny plants!

Sprouts are popping up through the dirt all over the place. Every day is bringing me more and more sprouts!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday, March 13, 2009

It is official! I can see some baby plant sprouts! They look as if they might be carrots.

I know what your thinking, "Didn't I label the areas where I planted different seeds?" Especially since I planted so many! Well, no I didn't label my seeds. I'm sure I will be able to identify most, if not all of the plants that grow as a result of any seeds that I sprouted. Except for the Wildflower seed packets that I sprinkled in a few places.

Here is some of my new Baby Plant Sprouts! =)

I really enjoy mixed seed packets of anything not just wildflowers. I enjoy mixed lettuce seeds, mixed flower seeds, or mixed bulbs. I will have a great time planting and growing them, either way. It's always a surprise as to what plants are going to take well to your yard, in the location that you planted the seeds.


I have a few special young children in my life and I plan for them to experience growing food as well as picking and eating food right out of the garden just like I did as a child. Every child should experience gardening, growing, eating and cooking the following home grown plants, trees, shrubs, etc. : Fruits, berries, vegetables and so on, then maybe even some ornamental plants such as ground covers and flowers.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Monday, March 09, 2009

Today I watered the yard once and I still don't see any new sprouts. I feel sure that tomorrow will bring me a few sprouts so I'm really excited!

A week ago I tried to sprout my last 3 peanuts, using my indoor - dirtless method and the excellent news that I have is :

One of the 3 peanuts has thrown out a root! It's alive! This makes me so happy!

Another one of the remaining two peanuts seems to have enlarged or filled up with water and should send out it's first root tomorrow. Now I need to figure out, where I'm going to grow these awesome peanut plants at.

Check out another one of my articles titled: * for more information on growing your own peanuts from seed and caring for peanut plants.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Friday, March 06, 2009

Today I went a little overboard and planted some of all of my vegetable and flower seeds. I planted lettuce, corn, peppers, tomatoes, and some of every other seed packet that I had.

I have more seed packets than your average person might have because a few years ago I went on a seed packet buying spree and got a little bit of everything. I've always tried to have a lush garden but the heat here in Las Vegas will dry plants out quickly. If I had a sprinkler system my plants would have all survived but the poor plants, they relied on me to water them and for one reason or another I usually let all or most of my plants die. Not this year though! This year I am going to grow vegetables and I am going to cook and eat those veggies! I'm also going to grow a few flowers as well.

Today, I gently watered the seeds twice using the garden hose. I kind of flooded and soaked the seeds since I just planted them.