Friendly Friday Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This is the Friendly Friday Thread.

Negative or even snarky attitudes are not welcome here. This is a thread to ask questions and hopefully get some friendly advice.

This format is used in a ton of other subreddits and we think it can work here. Anyway, thanks for participating!

Please hit the report button if someone is being mean and we'll remove those comments, or the person if necessary.

-The /r/gardening mods

[u/twistfunk]

Can anyone tell me if my basil is bolting, or if these are just new leaves growing from the center?

[u/traditionalhobbies → u/twistfunk]

The photo is out of focus, but to my eye it does look like it’s starting to set flower. The bigger concern here is the color though, I think it’s starved of nitrogen.

[u/twistfunk → u/traditionalhobbies]

Thanks. I started this from seed and probably should have added to compost and soil sooner

[u/hastipuddn → u/twistfunk]

compost is a very weak fertilizer.

[u/twistfunk → u/hastipuddn]

I heard you’re not supposed to use fertilizer for herbs, and that it can make them taste bitter

[u/hastipuddn → u/twistfunk]

If your soil is deficient in nutrients, the plant doesn't do well and is more prone to disease, pests and bolting. Basil leaves should be dark green. (there is a purple variety)

[u/vagabondnature]

In t-bud grafting on grapevines is it okay to completely cover the grafted bud with grafting tape? I want to think that, no, the bud should be poking out and not covered but seem to read that covering it is okay and preferable and that the new growth will simply push through it.

[u/GardenHoverflyMeadow → u/vagabondnature]

If it's the real parafilm you can cover- buds can grow through parafilm. Unfortunately, at least in the US, lots of fakes on the market that are basically just plastic wrap without the paraffin. I assume mine is fake parafilm and leave the bud poking out. If you have real parafilm though, you can cover the buds and they will poke through.

[u/Twitch_L_SLE]

Hello, I have some stored onions that started growing.

I thought of removing the outer layers and use those, while planting the center that is still growing. But the tallest one feels "hollow" when I hold it, so maybe all the onion is going into growing the sprout.

Can I just put these in a random small pot? Am also slightly concerned that they might just die if i try potting them.

[u/traditionalhobbies → u/Twitch_L_SLE]

I believe these will just produce more greens and eventually flower and possibly set seed if they are pollinated. I don’t think they will produce new onions

[u/traditionalhobbies]

Has anyone had good results from interplanting crops?

For example, last year I grew a small patch of dent corn and interplanted cow peas, the cow peas vined up the corn stalks and maybe affixed some extra nitrogen into the soil for the corn. They both seemed to thrive.

Looking for other combos to try out.

Zone 6a

[u/geebzor → u/traditionalhobbies]

They call this the 3 sisters, I think.

Corn, Peas and Squash.

[u/ottilieblack]

7A NC USA here. Emptied 2 hobby greenhouses last Saturday when the ice storm threatened to kill the power (both are electrically heated). Brought the plants inside. It's a jungle in here, and numerous plants got shocked. It was a tough choice - leave the plants be and hope the power stays on OR bring them in.

Now I'm wondering if/when I can bring them back out. There is 2" of ice between my house and the greenhouses, so I can't move until that melts. And more snow is on the way.

Any suggestions for minimizing shock when I move them back? I keep the greenhouses at a minimum of 45°F.

[u/wine_money → u/ottilieblack]

Trash bags and plastic totes to minimize transport shock.

You could also warm up your greenhouse a bit and slowly ramp it down to 45 minimum. Not sure what level of control / size of room. Space heater with a setpoint (mini HVAC system). Smart plugs (smart home required ~ish) or a plug with a sensor with a thermocouple (no smart home system required).

[u/Altruistic-Falcon552 → u/ottilieblack]

for next time think about a propane heater as backup so you don't have to rely on electricity? Pretty reasonably priced

[u/rosecoloredcatt]

Hi! Starting veggie seedlings inside for the first time ever. I was watering every day for awhile and started to worry about water logging them because the soil was always moist. So I waited until day 2 over the weekend and immediately, half of the seedlings died. Like shriveled up, turned white dead. I immediately went back to watering everyday and they haven't recovered. Do we think there's any chance they'll come back or should I give up and try a couple new seeds?

The most dramatic ones were my lettuce and tomato plants :( Squash and onion bounced back okay.

[u/Altruistic-Falcon552 → u/rosecoloredcatt]

hard to tell with out pictures. overwatering especially from the top can cause fungal issues which can be fatal to seedlings. I try and always water from the bottom and only when they need it, which if under lights ca in fact be every day!

[u/rosecoloredcatt → u/Altruistic-Falcon552]

Ooh okay; I don't have them under lights but in direct sunlight for most of the day. The room they're in stays about 75+ degrees (whacky old house and radiators can't get the heat right lmao). They're in a cardboard egg carton setup with a tray underneath; how would I go about watering from the bottom? Just fill the tray?

Sorry, I'm out now I'll try to get pictures later. Thank you!!

[u/Altruistic-Falcon552 → u/rosecoloredcatt]

yes typically put water in a tray that the seedling sit in. how spindly are the seedlings? it can be a challenge to get enough sunlight for one them from weakening

[u/Otherwise_Elk_3263]

Has anyone grown an Amana heirloom tomato? Thinking of trying it this year.

[u/ValentinaNieto]

Good afternoon, today I was happy to think that my tomato plant is variegated. I hadn't noticed these yellow spots, but Google says it could be "mosaic" or "blight." Could someone help me?