'Moving' tales

'We've moved', said the Zucchinis and the Water Melon.

So, keeping in line with how the aphid-attack is meant to be dealt with, Shankar over the weekend kept himself busy by using an old sock and a bucketful of water to painstakingly clean the leaves/ shoots/ stems/ flowers of all the affected plants. As I returned this morning, they genuinely gave a comparatively cleaner look. And then, I decided that the next logical step would be to show the plants (at least those that were feasible) some un-adulterated sunlight. Thus took the transplantation of the zucchinis and the water-melon, who now reside in an exclusive patch of soil in the backyard, thus...

There is a little risk in what I've done. There's something called 'transplant shock'...something that a plant may suffer because of a sudden change in environment. In this case, I've not only changed the medium from nutrient fed coco-peat to soil, but also exposed the plants to direct sunlight. But I have a feeling they'd survive. Incidentally, I've just learnt, the water-melon's vine in any case should be resting on soft ground unlike the way it was hung onto the green-house's frame earlier. So, that's that.

The 'Rafters' are doing good. Can't deny that it's a different joy to see a bit of green leaves on your table each time you eat. 

A few days back I'd got a couple of garlic cloves (thanks to my boss). Some special variety from the hills. Fat and white. I'd plugged them both. I'm happy to announce that one of them has decided to see the light of day, and in a striking 'upright' manner at that.

And then the highlight of the day. If you've been with me so far, you might remember a little experiment at seed priming I'd tried. So of the six grow-plugs (two each of Asparagus, Rosemary and Parsley), one has thrown out a shoot. And unless, I'm seriously mistaken, it's Asparagus. Which is very surprising...because it's known for asparagus seeds to take about 6 weeks to germinate...for me it's happened in a bit less than 3 weeks. So it's either the priming or me about to display a foot in my mouth. Let's wait. For now, watch...