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.