Seems like ages

Seems like ages since I wrote. If someone told you, that when you feel low try engaging into something you love and you'd feel good; I feel they should add that when you feel good and you get engaged into something that acts as a drain, you won't feel so good. But I repeat, c'est la vie and there are lessons to learn each day.

And then I'm reminded of Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy"...'cause when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down! Among other everybodys in my life, the plants are definitely not liking my frowns one bit. I realise, they need time and care and patience. And I've not been doing so great on any of these fronts.

So, as a start...I undertook a major pruning of all the tomatoes. Consequently they currently look like freshly sheared sheep. And as if as reward, the very next day I was presented a little miracle. The first cherry tomato plant which I was on the verge of letting go, suddenly had baby green leaves going again. So, I intend to tend some more and see if the plant is still good to go.

My past week's harvest was lovely though...

Alright, a little reality check as far as the DIY raft goes. It isn't as easy to maintain as the commercial ones in one respect. The thermocol sheet is press fit into the raft. Consequently, if there's a need for you to lift the thermocol for any adjustment, it becomes quite a delicate task, especially when the crop on top is going full swing (like the spinach is in my case). This morning, the sound of the bubbles inside the DIY raft didn't seem right. Inspection revealed, that the pipes from the air pump had got detached from the long air stone underwater. Believe me, I really had to be very very careful and gentle in ensuring that the plant roots or the thermocol sheet itself didn't break, as I gained access to refit the pipes. However, I hope to find a solution to this. When I do, I'd share.

I also hope I'm able to be much more regular now.

Back. Again!!!!

My job took me to Rajasthan this time. It's beautiful to see how just a column of water, meandering through a thoughtfully engineered route can change the very face of parched golden sand, to a green that almost hurts the eye. Green that goes on for acres. Thank God for the human mind and will...thank God for water. And while I was away, water continued with its miracles back here too. Well, water and good aeration. Let me explain.

Apart from the correct nutrient solution (in terms of both quality and quantity) in a raft system, there is another very important factor. Good aeration. This is achieved by means of a common aquarium pump that just pushes atmospheric air (read oxygen) through a pipe which culminates into an air stone. An air stone is nothing but a porous tidbit, that happily produces bubbles (read aerates the nutrient solution) as the pushed air is forced through it. Well, in the case of the DIY raft I'd tried, instead of the regular smallish air stone, I'd used something else. This was a bar like air-stone, blue in colour, almost a foot long, with connections for pipes at both ends. Of course the pump I'd used also had a dual outlet for the pumped air. That was the only difference in principle between the DIY raft and the commercial raft (well, that and the fact that it housed almost 6 litres of additional nutrient solution...and oh, the fact that it was one third the cost). And here's what the difference has done for the spinach it has grown.

I have personally never since such large sized spinach leaves. On an average they are larger than my hand. And my hand is on an average not a very small one. Also, I don't know if it's psychological or otherwise...the leaves appear healthier, more wholesome, tastier. 

Having said that, I won't for a moment take it away from the raft systems which are using the much smaller aeration stones. For, after all the oregano or the parsley, both of which so reluctantly survived...wouldn't have survived in any incompetent environment...well, actually not plain survived but thrived. Here's how.

It was also good to note that the balance raft systems, after the last harvest are brimming to share fresh produce. I tasted a rocket leaf or two. The flavour was rich...like a blessing.

And howsoever much I get used to these small greenhouses, I can never get over the aromatic essence of the two basil plants at the entrance. Or for that matter the rich purple-chocolate flowers they produce and shed with such regularity.

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It was heartening to see the asparagus plant too. So far, the fir like leaves of the plant had such textural as well as visual fragility to them, you couldn't really fathom the plants'  true opacity. This time however, the density of these delicate leaves seems to have escalated several notches up. The plant looks so much more magically real.

The bell peppers have taken off too. Steadily, consistently. Shankar so happily informed me that he's once made 'sabzi' out of 4 very ripe and very tasty reddish green capsicums. There already are more awaiting harvest.

Coming on to the smaller cousins of the bell peppers. Both the varieties of chillies seem to be doing well. Though the brighter upright variety is growing with much more gay abundance.

And finally the tomatoes...they are doing great. Though the first ever cherry tomato plant is almost gone (it's still bearing very tasty cherry tomatoes surprisingly), the others are thriving. In fact the Suhyana variety is reaching a size I've never seen on it before. So, that's encouraging. I'm also aware, that my long absence has caused the plant leaves to go comparatively lifeless, dust laden and marginally pest infested. I intend to set it all right.

Impending absentia

Much as I don't like it, I'd need to be off again. For over two weeks this time, on work. It can be a bit unsettling sometimes, to be so...unsettled. And the plants definitely don't like it. But that's that.

 So, as I worked upon the plants for the impending absence...pruning...cleaning...preparing enough nutrient solution...using neem oil etc, I noticed something interesting. The last, when I'd planted the rucola (rocket leaves), I had miscalculated the total number of grow plugs required for the raft system. So, I landed up with one additional rucola germinant, which I very promptly plugged into the coco peat of one of the grow bed systems. What I saw now was, that not only did the raft system based rucola plants mature faster, the average size of their leaves was bigger than the largest leaf of the grow bed based plant. Here...

So, that's one indicator to the efficacy of the raft system over others, for leafy plants like rucola. I intend to experiment on this further. The bell peppers meanwhile are now beginning to show positive produce. And it's just a matter of time, that I'd need to seriously look for solutions with respect to their growth in general and the plant's height in particular.

 The asparagus spears then eluded once again. They, like their previous kin are fast developing into the dreamy fern texture. The only difference being, that now they are growing much straighter and taller as a single stem, before arriving at their ferny bloom. I hope this is nothing but practice, at finally transforming into the 'O! so tasty sprigs.'

What's amazing about plants is, how responsive they can be sometimes. It was only a couple of days earlier that I had mercilessly pruned one of the tomato plants. And in such a short period I see a glow of a different kind on the yet to ripen fruit skin. Thus also, I'm all the more concerned about my frequent 'not being theres'.

And the DIY raft spinach carries on solid and succulent. It's but a matter of my return, that the leaves should be ready for their first harvest.

And here's what the two bountiful green-houses did for me this weekend. I'm happy and humbled.

Twenty fifteen!!!

It would be apt to begin with...phew! haven't written since a year. 

But here we are...a new year...fresh starts...happy resolutions...some long lasting, some-- "did I ever say that??"

Was out on a vacation. And while being there was mesmerised with so much, including the largest natural hydroponic farm I've ever seen...that seemed to have no beginning or end. An ocean of plants, weed, coral...just about 5 metres under...well, the ocean. The view becomes all the more spectacular if the sun's out, the sky's blue, the sand's white, the underwater-visibility's unbelievable and the marine life so vivacious, you gasp. Do visit sometime in your life, this tropical archipelago of over 500 land masses called the Andaman/ Nicobar islands. 

And I must thank my own hydroponic warriors back home. For, in spite of the neglect, absence (Shankar himself had to take off for a few days because of an emergency at home), freak rains...thus lack of adequate sunlight these past few days...they've fared well and emerged strong. There are blemishes, but nothing that can't be taken care of. Here's proof. My collection on the very first day I joined back.

The bell peppers are as crisp as they come, meaty and with very little seed. And this little red thing is genuinely seductive.

As are these green ones.

The tomatoes are doing great too...well at least the larger Suhyana variety. But the first ever cherry tomato plant seems to be singing its swan song. Before I let it go though, I intend to set on a war-footed path at pruning and cleaning. I shall keep us posted.

The chillies are thriving. They are genuinely hot...very abundant (thankfully on all plants) and bring about a general liveliness to the entire greenhouse.

Coming to the plants in the rafts. First and foremost...congratulations to the DIY raft system with the pioneer 12 spinach plants. All of them are doing perfect. They are green, clean and seem quite happy to be nurtured in the much cheaper arrangement. So that's a success, I recommend for anyone to try.

Talking of spinach, the raft which had the previous crop seems to be infected with some pest. So the usually very lush thick leaves appear shriveled and not so healthy. I urgently need to find what's wrong with them. Thank God for Google. 

I am very happy also to report, that the very reluctant and fragile parsley has finally shed its initial inhibition. It's now strong and growing and looks lovely.

The oregano then also grows on and its fragrance, even when you very lightly rub it between your fingers haunts you for a long time.

And then there is the ASPARAGUS!!! I think, this time it's for real. These I think are genuine spears that have emerged. I'd wait a bit longer and then report in ecstasy. (I love asparagus and I just can't wait!!!)

And then there's the old old radish. I'm pretty sure, that the root as such would be way beyond its ripe consumable state...it's the leaves that leave me spell-bound. They are vibrant, always there and above all, they taste so good. Let me see, how long more can I enjoy the greens atop the white.

And last, but not the least...the basil plants continue to enthrall in the fields of smell, taste and sight. 

Last count...34

It was time to face the truth and bid adieu to the cucumber. The plant bore a total of 34 cucumbers . It still had a large number of flowers and cucumbers to be, on it...there still was nutrient enough to sustain the plant for close to another month. But, the aphids had returned, taking benefit of my absence in body and spirit these past few days...and they returned with vengeance. So almost each leaf was affected. I could have tried to save the plant, but that would also have involved putting to risk the other healthy plants namely the bell peppers, spinach and such like in close proximity. I chose the lesser evil and let this too go. 

As can be seen above and below...the root system was robust and still going strong. And there's no doubt that the clean nutrient remaining in the tank would have sustained the plant to continue to bear fruit. But like I said, it was a difficult choice and I made it. I've learnt my lesson well. Things can go wrong at any stage. You need to be positive, prepared and vigilant.

As Shankar and I were taking off the plant's vines from the wire mesh, we were surprised to see a cucumber wedged tight between the metal mesh and the poly-film on top.

It took quite a bit of patient manoeuvering to finally get the cucumber out from the base of gh1.

Surprisingly, it came out quite unscathed. Thankfully, it was delicious.

On a positive note then, the DIY raft has found it's rightful place inside gh1, with happily gurgling nutrient already becoming familiar with the baby roots of the recently germinated spinach. I have to share here though, that while the commercially available raft houses approximately 14 litres of nutrient, the DIY raft needed 22 litres for the water surface to kiss the base of the net-pots.

I shall keep us all posted on the progress these spinach plants make. For, if they do as well as they do in the commercial raft...well they'd be doing that, at almost 1/3 rd the cost. Also, if I'm convinced that this could be a sustainable system, I'd make it sure to fill up gh1 with a lot many more such. The current number of rafts totals to four.

And well, the bell peppers are still growing in size. So I'm allowing them to. Also, I have to admit that I'm yet to read up on how to know when is the right time to harvest capsicum.

And this brings me up to the year end. This might possibly be the last post for 2014, for I'm travelling for the next few days. It'd be an eager me returning around the new year, sharing of how things have been. Cheers and ciao!