True Confessions Time--

I snitched a linden tree cutting (actually 3) from the Master Gardener training class the day Toni brought half the Deschutes National Forest in a plastic bin to teach us Botany.  I think it was another manifestation of my Spring Fever.  The coloration of the bark and the possibility of emerging buds was just too much for me to pass up.

I took them home, split the ends of the cuttings to allow for increased water absorption, gave them a blessing and added "show me some spring".

That was on January 11th.  As of February 21st, there are 2 very fat green terminal buds at the tip of 2 of the cuttings with many smaller buds starting to break  The stems are in water that I change daily and out of direct sun.

The exercise has made me more aware of stopping long enough to look around and discover what might be happening in my backyard.

I checked on the progress of the tulip containers that I have mentioned previously.  The container in the sunroom that is on a picnic table with the most sun exposure has bulb growth of 3-4.5 inches. The second container, in a lower position on a bench with less sun exposure shows a growth of between 2.5-3 inches.  The container in the greenhouse which is still in almost full shade does not show any growth.

The good news is, with the varied progression of the bulbs, I'll have tulips over a longer period--eat your hearts out, deer, as you look through the sunroom windows.  Maybe for the first time in 40 years I will have my own tulips to enjoy.

I have been testing old seeds for germination.  There isn't any point wasting time and resources planting seeds to the garden that aren't viable.

It takes so little time to start the process with only some paper towel, a plate as your base, plastic wrap for covering and a commitment to keeping the "garden" moist.  Moisten a small piece of paper towel, count out your seeds, usually between 10 to 20, place in paper towel that is folded over, cover with plastic wrap and label.   Record keeping is a must using the following information.

The date you are starting the seeds, seed variety, the year as stated on the seed packet, days to germination, also stated on the seed packet and the number of seeds you are germinating.

I started the process Feb. 9 with lovage seed from 2009, days to germination10-14 days, 25 seeds.  I was about to give up on Feb. 19 but noticed several seeds breaking through.  If there isn't at least a 50% germination by the 25th I will toss the packet.

Sea Holly, 2009 seed also started on the 9th, is a perennial and takes 2 to 3 weeks.  I made the mistake of not totally reading the info on the seed packet--the seeds should have been pre-chilled 2 or 3 weeks.  Still keeping fingers crossed.

Red Leaf lettuce, a 2011 pelleted seed from Johnny's, 7-10 days germination showed no germination after 10 days.  It's tossed.

Cosmos, 2011 seed, started on Feb. 9 was going gangbusters after 3 days and showed 50% germinated in 6 days.  They're a keeper.

On Feb. 17th I started 26 Bachelor Button seeds, the packet wasn't marked with a date but I know the seeds are at least 2 years old, germination  time is 7-14 days, after 3 days 23 seeds had germinated and were so expanded they raised the paper towel covering.  Keeper for sure.

On the 17th, I also counted out 10 Tutti Frutti Lupine seeds from 2010, a perennial with a germination time of 20-25 days.  Nothing yet, will catch you up later.