Transplanted the Royal Chantenay Carrots

 Hello, Darlings

Today was another Pal Choi harvesting day. From the pictures below, you can see that they are growing well. I am amazed at how large the leaves get when left to grow large. I also cut off the flower stems to help the Pal Choi to continue to grow. Although not shown, I also cutaway the leaves that were crowded and died, as well as trimmed away the dry dead leaves on the store bought scallions that I brought back in June.  Yes, they are still alive and growing well.

 

I am watchful of the blight that infested the green beans and I still stray all the plants in the sunroom and in the house weekly.

 

Today was also the day that I transplanted the Royal Chantenay carrots into the second min half barrel. For me this is another great experiment where I can watch and chart the carrots as well as the Korean Radishes grow indoors.

 

All of the hydroponic plants were watered and fed, which marks the start of my weekly feeding of them.

 

All of the hydroponic plants were watered and fed, which marks the start of my weekly feeding of them. I also watered and fed the smaller potted plants, as well as refilled the bottled of the larger plant that needed water and fertilizer.

Well this is all for now.

Until next time,

   Keep on Growing!!!

Korean Radishes and Royal Chantenay Carrots Seedlings

 Hello, Darlings

If you read my last article, 'Whitefly Bloom', you know that I got rid of a badly infested patio baby eggplant and the California Wonder bell pepper plant in another hydroponic system next to it.

Since I already have a hydroponic system with one healthy Patio Baby Eggplant and one Long Purple Eggplant growing together, I decided instead of germinating more of them, I would germinate some Korean Radish plants in Rapid Growth Pods and then transplant the seedlings within their pods into a mini half barrel pictured below. It has been three days since the transplant and it appears successful.

                                Patio Baby Eggplant on the left and Spiny Long Purple Eggplant on the right

In addition, now that the Royal Chantenay carrots have germinated, I will allow them to grow within their rapid growth pods another week before transplanting them into the mini half barrel that they are picture sitting on.

Korean Radishes; seeded on October 17, 2926.

                                 Royal Chantenay Carrots seedlings; seeded on October 17, 2926.

I also discovered that some of the contender green bean seeds are infested with blight. You cannot see it on the seeds because blight can survive on the seeds unseen up to two years. Therefore, when the seeds germinated, the blight grew and began to spread.

After doing some research, I learned that Neem oil and a baking soda solution use during the early stage of the green beans growth can retard and/or prevent not only the spread of blight but also fungus. The products also help with whiteflies prevention if caught early

Luckily, I have both Neem Oil and baking soda. However, I opted for the Neem Oil because it can be sprayed on the top and bottom of the bean plants every seven days without leaving a powdery residue that I suspect that the baking powder might leave behind. In any case, I caught the blight early and sprayed every plant in the house and in the sunroom; including the potted houseplants.

We will see where we are in terms of controlling the blight and preventing other infestations after a month of weekly treatments.

 

Until next time

Keep on Growing!!!.

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

Whitefly Bloom!

Hello, Darlings,

Yesterday morning, I discovered whitefly eggs all over the eggplants and spreading to the pepper plants. I know that these whitefly eggs are survivors of the Peppermint Oil treatment. While some of the adults died, enough survived to lay those eggs after I moved the eggplant into the sunroom. I had no idea the whitefly eggs were on the plant. There was honeydew overall the eggplants and the pod covers of the growing tank. The pepper plant in the growing system next to the eggplant growing system was only partially covered and same with the pod covers. I removed the plants and the covers and soaked all in %100 neem oil, which I think killed the plants as well as the whitefly eggs, especially after I added a small amount of neem oil to the growing tanks so that it could entry the plants root systems. I probably should not have added it. Too much too late.

 

Today I am breaking down both growing countertop systems and cleaning them, and then germinate more pepper seeds. I also ready have two new eggplants growing, however, since I now know that there are surviving whiteflies out there, I will spray each plant with a fine mist the need oil and peppermint oil.

 

In additional after doing a little research, I learned that eggplants are used as “trap crop” the drive whiteflies away from other chop.  

 

Now, I leaned i

Below is a list of some other plants white enjoy infesting, and here is the link to the UC Statewide IPM Whiteflies Guide.

*********************

What Type Of Plants Do Whiteflies Like To Infest?

Whiteflies prefer plants with soft, tender, and smooth leaves that make it easy for them to pierce and feed on the sap. They commonly attack a wide range of vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit trees.

Common Plant Families and Types Infested

·         Nightshades (Solanaceae): Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes are top targets. Eggplants are especially favored and often used as trap crops.

·         Brassicas (Crucifers): Cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower frequently attract whiteflies.

·         Cucurbits: Cucumbers squash and pumpkins are common victims.

·         Root Crops and Greens: Sweet potatoes, okra, and beets.

·         Ornamental Shrubs and Flowers: Hibiscus, poinsettias, roses, azaleas, fuchsias, gardenias, gerberas, and begonias.

·         Fruit Trees: Citrus trees, avocados, and pomegranates.

 

Why Whiteflies Target These Plants

·         Sap-rich tissue: They gather in large clusters on the undersides of new, tender leaves.

·         Fertilizer levels: Plants overfed with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers produce rapid, soft growth that draws in higher numbers of whiteflies.

·         Environment: Greenhouses and warm, humid outdoor conditions accelerate their ability to multiply across these host species.

                                                              *********************

Until, next time,

         Chow, Darlings

Picking of the Greens

 Hello, Darlings

Today was greens picking day, and I have picked a healthy bowl of turnip Greens and also a nice bowl of pal choi. This is my third picking of turnip greens and the second picking of the pal choi. 

 Below are the before picking and after picking photos of the turnip greens and the pal choi in their hydroponic tower

BEFORE

AFTER

Pal choi is a member of the cabbage family. In my earlier harvests I either added them to salads or mixed them in with collard greens. However, with this harvest I have started to freeze them separately and then cook them alone as a main dish. 

PAL CHOI

TURNIP GREENS

BOTH SIDE BY SIDE

The photo below show that I also have several young pal choi plants growing in another tower beneath the store bought scallions, which keep on growing. 

YOUNG PAL CHOI

EVER GROWING STORE BOUGHT 

                                                                                            SCALLOIONS

I am also experimenting with a couple of green pepper seeds that I saved from a store bought green pepper. I don't know if the seeds will germinate and then grow, but it will be an interesting endeavor.

SEEDS FROM STORE BOUGHT GREEN PEPPER

I like sharing my results in the hope that some newbies to hydroponic gardening will learn from, not only my mistakes, but my successes.

Until next time,

     Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

Beans, Greens and Other Things, A New Report

 Hello, Darlings 

I hope this cloudy and rainy day has not dampened your spirits and that you have been waiting in anticipation for my next post.

Well here are a few photos of the new crop of green beans, which have grown up straight and tall with the support of the tomato cage. The vines are still young and just beginning to bud. 

In the group of photos the plants in the other three vertical growing systems are turnip greens, which are just about ready for a third picking, some aggressive basil plants, and the same store-bought scallions that I got on Sunday, June 7, 2026 with some young pal choy plants on the bottom tiers of it hydroponic system.

Now that I have done the routine progress report on the regular vegetables, I want to share with you my new experiment. 

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, I seeded two KVITER 650 Aunt Molly Golden Pineapple Ground Cherry seeds and two KVITER 175 Long Purple Eggplant seeds. I did so because I wanted to see if they would do well in a hydroponic system. This being Sunday, August 23rd, and with only one of the two Long Purple Eggplant seeds germinating, I would say that the surviving plants are off to a good start of growing to maturity. I will keep you posted.

The photos:

This first group of photos is of the KVITER 650 Aunt Molly Golden Pineapple Ground Cherry plants. They are called this because they taste like pineapples. They also grow wrapped in papery husks like tomatillos. We look forward to harvesting and eating them. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition, all parts of the ground cherries are poisonous until the cherries fall off and have turned golden-yellow. This plant is in the night shade family, like the tomato plant; however, if a tomato falls off and is picked off its stem while still green, that tomato can still be eaten. Whereas, the ground cherry cannot be eaten while green, and the fallen fruit must be set aside to ripen before it is safe to eat. So avoid growing them where there are small children, who might pop the fruit into their mouths.

In this last group of photos are of a KVITER 175 Long Purple Eggplant. I wanted to try growing them because they are bush like and longer than the patio baby eggplants, and only need a little support. The amazing thing I discovered about this Long Purple Eggplant earlier this week is that this eggplant has sharp spines on the top and bottom of its leaves, its branches and stems. I believe these spines are for preventing wild live animals from eating the eggplants. Like the KVITER 650 Aunt Molly Golden Pineapple Ground Cherry plants we are looking forward to adding them to our salads

I nearly forgot, the photos below are of the new plants growing in the other countertop hydroponic systems, some were recently germinated, and the systems consist of the following:

• One Patio Baby eggplant
• Two K1 red cherry tomatoes
• Two K2 golden cherry tomatoes
• Four pods of Japanese Red scallions, which will be moved once they get older.
• Two California Wonder Peppers
• One Tiny Tim tomato plant
• Four medium large Parris Island Romaine Lettuce with two seedlings

Until next time,

       Keep growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

First successful batch of hydroponic grown turnip greens

 Hello, Darlings

This is a brief update on the new turnip green plants growing in a 30 pod hydroponic vertical systems and using the half dose method of General Hydroponic MaxiGro Nutrients without the sediment added. Although this first batch is a small one, the greens are healthy and of a decent size. To this labelled and dated freezer bag I will add more turnip greens as they grow larger. In addition, I am adding some Pak Choy to the bag, as Pak Choy is good when cooked with other greens, as well as raw in salads.

Turnip Greens and Pak Choy after picking first batch

P.S. I am growing bulb-less turnip greens in the hydroponic system, but will try my hand at growing the ones with the bulbs in a mini half barrel planter with soil this fall, along with some dwarf carrots, and some Korean Radishes.

Until next time,

     Chow, Darlings

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

Fred's New Look

Hello, Darlings

Since I discovered that Fred, The Indian Laurel had out grown his yellow planter and was growing a central root into the soil next to the house, I had to cut it out and move him to a place where it would be easier to maintain his growth. Yes, the root had punched its way through two planters, the yellow one that Fred have currently grown in, and the larger clay colored replacement. The root was just that strong.  Nevertheless with Stanley’s help, I gave Fred a new look by cutting him out of his old yellow planter and putting him securely in the larger one, which I had bought a couple years ago with the knowledge that someday Fred would need it. 

With Stanley holding Fred in place, I filled the planter with new soil and a little non-burning, all-purpose plant food to jump starts the root growth, and surrounded him with morning glories seedlings; finally, I trimmed him down the a manageable size. My idea is to intertwine the morning glory vines among Fred's branches in a colorful and graceful fall.

In the two black planters below Fred there are seedlings of marigolds, and I also placed a young hibiscus plant, as well as an arrowhead plant, both of which will need constant pruning, as with Fred, to maintain their sizes. 

Finally, because I had seeded a lot of marigolds seeds under Fred before repotting him, those additional seedlings are now transplanted around the bottom of the stump of a huge oak tree. My idea is to cover that stump with a variety of colorfully vining flowers.

In addition, I have for the most part given over the care of the outdoor gardens and container plants out there to Stanley, his knowledge is limited, and like many newbies to gardening, he is learning slowly, and in some cases, the hard way. However, I know that someday he will read my garden journals, and/or will pick up one of my many gardening books and read it. Until then, let’s just say, patience is a virtue, but my ancient nerves are thin.

Wow! Fred, Eight Years Later

Meet Fred, the Oak Tree??? Nope, Fred The Indian Laurel

Until next time, 

  Let’s Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

https://evelyntwigsthymestrangerthingsgarden.blogspot.com/2026/06/wow-fred-six-years-later.html

An Update on Hydroponic Grown Turnip Greens with General Hydroponic MaxiGro Nutrients

 Hello, Darlings, 

This post is an update to the one I made on July 28, 2026 in which I wrote about the usage ratio for using General Hydroponic MaxiGro nutrients in vertical hydroponic systems. In the post I recommended reducing the suggested label amount of MaxiGro by half, and before adding the nutrients to the vertical hydroponic systems, sift out the sediment that gathered at the bottom with a dish cloth or some cheesecloth. 

Well, after following my own advice below are a couple photos of how my new batches of turnip greens look today. They are a vibrant healthy green and each leaf is soft to the touch, and not the dark and brittle green leaves like the first batch that I grew some months back.

Undissolvable Sediment

Until next time,

     Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

An Update for Stabilizing a Tomato Cage for Vertical Hydroponic Use

Hello, Darlings

I didn't like the pinched look of the tomato cage when I made it triangle. My idea is to connect the stems to the stake arms once they are tall enough to drape over with some room for spreading them out, and avoid as much crowding as possible. 

The cage looks good and doesn't prevent me from removing the water tank for cleaning and refilling. 

In addition, s you can see there are some new green bean plants growing it the system now. I will keep you posted on how they are doing in the future. 

Until next time,

     Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

A Note from My Hydroponic Journal

 Hello, Darlings,

Below is today's note from my hydroponic journal.

Last night, I woke at 11:43 PM because I could not go back to sleep, so I got up and cooked dinner for today, cleaned the house, mopped the floors, did some laundry, restarted my dvd collection of the Kdrama, Tunnel, at least a dozen times, setup the 50-pod vertical hydroponic system and added a trellis for supporting the green beans. To do this, I repurposed an old trellis that I had used at one point to support some moonflowers. It looks good in the photo.

I did this just in time because the green beans that are germinating will need to be moved to the tower soon. Yesterday, I seeded four tomato seeds, two K1 red cherry tomatoes and two K2 golden cherry tomatoes, like the K2 golden tomato seeds, the K1 red cherry tomato seeds came with an AeroGarden accessory kit. So I am using them in place of the usual Tiny Tim cherry tomato seeds. 

Speaking of AeroGarden, I was disappointed when they stopped selling their specially made nutrient, which was a thick tan liquid. My collard greens loved it. Since then, I have tried several other nutrients, however, General Hydroponics MaxiGro Plant Food is the only that is comparable to the AeroGarden nutrient.

Nevertheless, I must add a word of caution about the amount of MaxiGro used in hydroponic systems. It is best to use one half of the recommended amount of the MaxiGro. This means that if you have a 20L or 5 gallon reservoir and the recommended amount is 2 teaspoons per gallon, then use 1 teaspoon per gallon, but strain off the excess solid nutrient that settles at the bottom of the container. This is the excess sodium or calcium residue that burns the plants, clogs the water pump and cakes on to the parts of the tower when it rises with the water.  I learned this the hard way after my turnip greens were burnt after the using the 2 teaspoon per gallon method.

I use the MaxiGro in the greens only, and A&B and FoxFarm Grow Big nutrients in all of the countertop hydroponic systems. The greens beans get the Gardener LiquidPower Green Beans fertilizer only. There is a lesson to be learned in this one also but I will not go into it. Just trust me and only use low nitrogen nutrient to grow green beans. In addition, if the seedling leaves are a little yellow, go ahead and add a onetime dose of Bloom City Organic Iron in the hydroponic systems.

Dosage: Mix 1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) per gallon of water, depending on the severity of the iron deficiency.

It works. 

Until next time,

    Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026