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!
