Small Garden, BIG Challenges!


I used to pop to Fourth Sis's apartment either for some chats or meals together during the weekends. But since last week, I have been doing so almost every day. Her small balcony container edible garden has progressed pathetically little and in dire need of care. Recently, Fourth Sis has been just TOO BUSY and OVER-OBSESSED with her new postcards and stamps exchange hobby, that she totally neglects it. Obviously, her interest in gardening is ' nil ' at the moment. The previous sparks have died out completely. So, I am taking charge of it now. Until she ( her sparks of interest ) returns one day. HOPEFULLY.

It has been more than six weeks now since ' the garden ' first started. ( You can read about it HERE ). But there are only three round, wide pot planters as yet. With only three types of edibles. One in each planter. Nothing has been harvested so far. I wonder if there would be any at all. As prospect seems just gloomy for now.



The first planted edible, Chayote ( Sechium edule ) has only grown about three feet long over the past few weeks. Extremely slow. The leaves seem to be infested by some suspected, flying, tiny, sap-sucking pests. Which slowly suck out sap from them. Until they eventually wilted. And die. I have trimmed off about five such leaves so far. There are still a few affected ones that may be saved ( See picture below ). Or so I hope. I am not sure where the pests have come from. But I guess, most likely, the fruit seed. The plant's origin.

Now, all I do is spray the leaves with my diluted, homemade eco-friendly enzyme every day or every alternate day. To boost the plant's growth and immunity. And see whether it helps to reduce the severity of the infections. Or deter the pests altogether. Or, at least perhaps, ' push ' the plant a bit to grow faster than the destruction caused by the pests. Hope it does help. Either way. Wish me luck!




The second planted edible, White Bitter Gourd ( Momordica charantia ), seems to be growing rather pathetically slow too. Especially during the initial weeks. It is, however, a lot more lucky than its two neighbours. As it has not ' contracted ' the sap-sucking pests' infections like the poor Chayote, at least. Thanks to its strong-smelled leaves which those pests must have disliked and avoided, I think.

These few days, ever since spraying and watering it with my diluted, homemade eco-friendly enzyme, a ray of new hope seems close and distinct. Its growth seems to have significantly increased by double. Almost incredibly. And it looks much healthier too ( See picture below ). It has now, trailed far up towards the top of the string trellis which I have made for it and the Chayote. Reaching for the beautiful sky above. Hopefully some good news would follow soon. Lots of flowers! And eventually lots of fruits! Wish me luck!




The third planted edibles, Radishes ( Raphanus raphanistrum Subsp. sativus ), were seeded a few days back and have since germinated. BUT, unluckily, the sap-sucking pests find their young, tender stems too deliciously tempting to resist. They suck out their sap mercilessly until they bow to them. ( See picture below that shows one such affected, vulnerable,  tender stem ). 

The pests leave me totally at a loss. I do not know what to do to save the poor seedlings. So, I just let them be. And let the hungry pests do whatever they like. I let them suck. Until they are done and satisfied. ( I am sorry Seedlings! For giving up before trying to do something! )

When they have all finally succumbed to the pests' infections, I will start another type of edibles. This time, Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) perhaps. As its leaves would have a kind smell that those pests may avoid. And so, they may have a chance to survive and grow till maturity. Or so, I hope. Wish me luck! 




Though extremely small in size, this balcony container edible garden has the biggest of challenges for me to take up. Or so, it seems. Would I be able to not only take them up, but handle them well too?  Only time will tell...


FINALLY, AGAIN, WISH ME LUCK!



10 comments:

  1. An interesting read about plants that I know nothing about. I know that here balcony gardens present particular problems so I sympathise. I'm sure that you've done all you can do make these plants healthy again.
    Fingers crossed and good luck. xx

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  2. Hmm... I wonder how they cope with theirs... Anyway, thank you so much for your kind sympathy and wish, Flighty! That's very kind of you!

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  3. You are a devoted sister and gardener to rescue these neglected plants. Those little pests are a challenge. Some gardeners try to attract them with sticky paper traps. Maybe there is something like that where you are?

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  4. Oh, but not really, Shirley! I just do what I can. Those little pests really are a challenge to me! Thank you so much for your kind comments and valued piece of information about the paper traps! Perhaps our local gardeners do use them too. But I've got to find out if they would hurt or kill the pests... I hope to set them free, alive, somewhere in the jungle, if possible....

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  5. It usually happens when we take up a new hobby and become over obssed with it we tend to neglect even the things that we love to do before.
    With your good care the balcony garden will sure thrive again and it will get back the attention of your sis.
    Good luck with the plants.

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  6. I agree, meintheswim. That's exactly the case with my sister now. I do hope you are right. That the balcony garden will get back her attention when the plants' condition is better. Your kind wish is very much appreciated. Thank you so much!

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  7. Good for you taking care of your sister's balcony garden, I imagine it's frustrating seeing her neglect the plants, hopefully you can nurse them back to their glory. Pests are such a problem for gardeners worldwide, I struggle to kill anything apart from ticks and fleas on animals, I always hope the natural order, nature kicks in and that these problems resolve themselves. I hope some insects arrive that eat the pests.Good luck.xxx

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  8. Really, it was rather frustrating initially, Snowbird. Thank you so much for your kind hope! Their conditions have improved quite a lot now. Even the last two radish seedlings which I thought would also succumb to the pests have incredibly thrived! I absolutely agree with the pests thing. Like you, I do hope that nature always have its own way to solve these problems too... Then, we, gardeners can relax and enjoy gardening!

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  9. Radish is always strong and good. I hope your enzyme is working for your Chayote fingers crossed.

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    1. I think you are right about radish. They have thrived! The enzyme has worked a bit. Thank you so much Stephanie!

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