Movement

The basil (opal and green) has adpapted quite well to the soil medium much to my surprise, as the green basil did not seem happy a few days ago. I trimmed the oregano, thyme, and both basils down so they can focus on getting used to their new homes. Everyone seems quite happy.

The seedlings are growing up fast, and I've taken to spraying them with water whenever I check on them. The whole greenhouse smells like herbs and all the plants look very healthy. They have been getting about 12 hours of light a day. 

I've been doing a lot more reading about horticulture, and its been very inspirational. This entire summer has spurred a passion for science in me that I did not know existed. I am truly dedicated to learning the craft, and pursuing this science with zeal. The horticultural research degree at OSU seems to be the best path for me. I wanted to minor in chemistry, and also take biochem classes, and this degree requires both two terms of organic chemistry and a biochem class. It also requires calculus and physics, all good things should i decide to take the MCAT to try to get into grad school. My advisor keeps giving me good advice on how best to move through this time. Its all so exciting! I'm getting past all the hoops and really starting to get into my degree. 

The biology class I'm in right now is so frustrating. Its a 3 week crash course, and we are required to learn 10 weeks of information. I love the content but the course itself it so frustrating. I saw something awesome on the internet today, not completely related to horticulture. But one of these pictures is of one of the coolest pollinators out there- the moth!

It also happens to be on an awesome website "Fuck Yeah Electron Microscope." 

http://fuckyeahelectronmicroscope.tumblr.com/post/6716198015/pyralidae-moth

Moved to hanging basket

I've moved the herbs to a soil medium in a hanging basket. I mixed in some perlite and plant food. The opal basil seems to be taking as well as some oregano and chives. The regular basil doesnt seem to enjoy it too much. The seedlings continue to grow, and seem happy enough for the moment.

New seedlings and some cuttings

I scrapped the carnie project. The seedlings were duds. Next year I'll know better.

I went and got some thyme, oregano, and basil seeds. See, my neighbor decided she hated her plants and threw them and their respective planters into our dumpster. So me, being the resourceful horticulturist, went and got the hanging planter out with the intention of repurposing it for my own devices. I can't afford to buy fresh herbs anymore, so I shall grow them.

Then- serendipity prevails! The next day I go to my dad's house, and his wife offers me cuttings of her lemon thyme, Opal Basil, parsley, and chives! So, as you can see, I have a veritable smorgasboard of herbs about to be living happily together.

That was two days ago. Already the oregano is popping up!! I just love watching them grow. The cuttings are in rooting hormone.

Well, its off to the beach now.

sarracenia Seeds

Well, last season I pollinated my sarracenia oreophila by hand, and got some seeds out of it! Unfortunately I also thought freezing them would preserve them, and actually I think I may have killed them. However, when I put some in water, some floated some sank. I have no idea what that means but I think it might mean some aren't duds!

I bought a SunBlast lamp and my boyfriend installed it in a small cubby hole to make a little greenhouse. I've been keeping the lamp on 12 hours a day. The soil is half perlite half sphagnum moss. The pots are sitting in distilled water. I barely covered the seeds with dirt.

Really hoping this experiment works out! In other news, My leucophylla is sprouting three new pitchers! I thought they were all going into dormancy.

New Flowers

I have 3 new flowers on my Oreophila and about six pitchers growing!!

Sundew has two new bulbs with dozens of tentacles

New Growth!

New flower on Oreophila

This years Sundew has two new plants

My fastest growing flower

New Nepenthes pitchers (see the little one stretching out?)

Well, after a long winter, new growth is showing!! I had hoped for a new flower from my Oreophila but I was surprised by 3!! Sundew, after a tough start, had to be completely cut down and is now sprouting two new buds with dozens of little hands waiting to reach out and start catching flies!! Dente is still hiberating in the fridge and my nepenthes grew a whole new pitcher and is currently working on another.

All in all, I am quite pleased with their progress. Over the winter, Dahlia's Delight grew some gorgeous pitchers, colored bright green in contrast with the red I bought them with. She seems to be slowing down, and I'm excited to see what she brings this spring.