Monday, April 13, 2009

GACK! Alien green stuff.

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Crisis in the Himalayan poppy pot! When I left for work this morning there were 12 happy little poppy sprouts in this pot and a half dozen or so other tiny ones just emerging. I got home to this! Nevermind, pathetic picture, let me describe it for you. 50% dead sprouts and soil with stuff that looks suspiciously like the blue green algae I used to get in my saltwater tank.

Clearly this stuff is bad. This mean's tonight I need to scrap my bubble bath, chocolate, gardening magazine plans for the delicate task of transplanting a plant that croaks if you frown at it. I have no idea how to tranplant it without also moving the green stuff. Worse news, if the procedure fails, no more seed. I sprouted the whole pack after someone told me that had a 1% germination rate.

Wish me luck. I really really want this plant in my garden. Do you blame me?



7 comments:

wiseacre said...

Nope, can't blame you for wanting them. After looking at the flower pic I want some too. I'll remember the little pot of horrors and not attempt to start my own.

Daphne said...

I don't blame you at all. I want one in my garden too. They are the most beautiful blue I've ever seen in my life. Maybe some year I'll try. Then again . . .

bughunter99 said...

Daphne and Wiseacre, you should both try! It's only a pack of seeds right? Well and a few minutes each day of pondering what the heck is wrong with them now! ; )

Barry said...

Stacy:
If they germinate, that is only the first hurdle. They need warmth to germinate, but from seedling stage on, want very cool conditions - no humudity or drying out. I started some, lost them, so have the plants on order at the nursery where I work. I too am determined. There is a new book called Blue Heaven,Encounters with the Blue Himalayan Poppy that is my new 'guide' for the do's and do-nots for growing these most Holy Grail perennials!

Daphne said...

Gee I don't know. They are only a packet of seed, but I tend to get attached to things. When they died on me I'd be so depressed. I also have a tendency to stubborness in the garden. I don't know why. I don't have it anywhere else in my life. But when I get it in my head to grow something. I keep trying. And trying. A decade later I could still be trying. Convinced that if I just do something a little bit different it will work. So It isn't an investment in one packet of seed, but at least 10 packets of seed and then only that if I'm lucky ;>

Stacy said...

Thanks for the tips Teza. I knew about the cool temps but didn't about the humidity. I'm off to check Amazon for that book right now.

Daphne I understand. I have a huge stubborn streak with my garden as well. I prove it every year when I plant cilantro. I has died every year for six years straight but I bought the seed again just the other day!

Northern Shade said...

I haven't had much long term success with them. Some tend to be monocarpic (die after blooming). I think they should do well in this area, because the botanical gardens here has a beautiful, large patch. Perhaps this is the summer to try again.