Back in February I started Nasturtium seeds inside. Well..here they are today! I have 2 out front, one on either side of the porch. I thought I planted only Alaska, but realized I planted Jewel in front and Alaska in a small pot in back. Can you see the variegated leaves in this pot? That's the Alaska. I think when I transplanted the burlap pots I got a few mixed in with the jewels!
I have never grown Nasturtiums but have always loved them. I know they do much better in cooler climates, but thought I would give them a go here before summer's heat hits. I always love seeing them in Colorado when we travel there in summer. The colors are so vibrant!Interesting thing about these plants, the leaves and flowers are edible with a peppery tang. As a matter of fact, ground Nasturtium seeds were used in World War II as a replacement for pepper. I have seen them in salads in the Texas Hill Country in early spring. However..notice anything NOT there?? No blooms! I made a big mistake and fertilized them..only once, but now I read you do not fertilize them as it will produce bushy plants but no flowers. Great! And I was looking forward to those flowers on my porch! Well, I am not giving up. From now on they only get water! And everyday I am going to tell them how pretty they will be when they produce those gorgeous flowers!
"Gardening is an exercise in optimism. Sometimes, it is the triumph of hope over experience!"
Marina Schinz
14 comments:
Well, I think the leaves are quite pretty even without the flowers. But yeah, flowers would be nice too. :-)
I'm going to try growing some from seed late next winter too.
They look great Linda & I'm sure you will get some blooms soon. That fertilizer won't last too long in the container. Can't wait to see your blooms!
Congrats on your success! These are definitely glorious plants. Love the history lesson-I'm a nerd and that stuff is cool to me :-) I think you'll get blooms being the sweet talker that you are :D
I like your positive thinking Linda. We sell these at the nursery in fall and early spring. I have tasted them just to see what they are like.
I hope they bloom for you.
Well I hope they listen to you very well. They might decide to produce some flowers if you stress them a bit with your talk and even threaten to withhold water too:) They sure look good even without though and do you intend to taste them? I always taste my plants-hmmmm-daylily buds-sure why not. Nasturtium leaves must taste better! Have a good night.
Pam, I hope you have better luck than I did! Remember--don't feed them! :)
You are sharing my optimism Racquel! Thanks--I hope to share blooms sometime soon!
JJ--glad you liked the history on these! Pretty interesing flowers--key word being FLOWERS!! :)
Susie, are yours blooming yet? Gee, I wish these would have just 1 or 2 flowers! :)
Tina--oh I will have to taste them! I am still hopeful for flowers--maybe I can bribe them!
I love these plants. I planted four pony packs around the yard a couple weeks ago. I can't wait to see them blooming! They seem to love the heat and the sun. I know mine have gotten fertilizer at one point and still bloomed so don't worry I am sure yours will too!
I think they will bloom. As it heats up a little they will get stressed and put out blossoms. Still the foliage is pretty.
Thanks Cindee!! I felt much better after reading your commnent. I know very little about these, so I had no idea I shouldn't feed them. Hopefully I can post pictures of beautiful flowers!
Debbi-another encouraging word, thanks so much! My Mother did mention to me she thought they needed it to warm up some..and you know how chilly it has been lately! Yea, I am really hopeful now! :)
Yes, the leaves are very pretty. When I moved here, I had what I thought was nasturtiums growing. Found it was an invasive weed. After about a year of it, someone told me and ever since I've been yanking those runners out!
Brenda
They look so big and healthy, too bad about the lack of blooms! I've never tried to grow or eat them, let me know what you think of the taste!
Wonder what they were Brenda? There are so many weeds that I think are flowers..some are really pretty!
I'll let you know Nola. I've had them in salads before, and I think they had quite a "bite!"
I haven't grown nasturtiums in years, but I think I need some now thanks to your photos. But which ones?
msrobin--the Alaska series has varigated leaves, the Jewel has the dark foliage...that's all I know that is different. I bet where you live conditions would be great for growing them. The only thing I worry about for both of us is summer. I don't think that can take that heat can they?
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