Greetings Fellow Gardeners
Our Summer here in South Africa has been a weird one. Some days at over 30 degrees C, but then there are days that are under 20 degrees C. I know I shouldn't complain too loudly, as a cool summer isn't the worst thing that can happen. However, my garden isn't growing quite as I want it to, especially the plants which are meant to be producing fruit! Anyway, let me take you on a guided tour of how everything is doing.
Cantaloup Seedlings
I had to restart these guys due to killing the last seedlings I tried to grow. As they grow I'll start to thin them out, but for now, I'll keep them as is, as they seem to be doing much better this time round.
Bush Beans
I expected so much more from these guys. They grew so well, but then their leaves became speckled with yellow spots and the leaves started dropping. I managed to get a single pod from the whole adventure. I've come to the conclusion that growing these guys in this type of container isn't a good idea.
I believe they need to longer pot and the soil needs to filled to the top. I'll likely try to plant them again after I clear the old paprika from its pot. Glad I tried them though, and I will get them to work before switching to a climbing variety.
Blueberries
Despite me nearly killing my two-year-old plant, it still gifted me a bountiful harvest. I believe the weird changing temperatures are causing the berries to take longer to ripen, but overall, the berries are looking plump, despite most of them still being green.
Poorly Cucumber
Thriving Cucumber
Not too sure what is happening with the poorly cucumber, but it was planted at the same time as the one that is thriving. It's possible that the bolting radishes are playing a role in it not getting enough nutrients, despite getting extra fertiliser. There are some new leaves, so with luck, it'll start to grow better.
The thriving cucumber has had several flowers, unfortunately, they have all been male, so no cucumbers in my immediate future. For those that don't know, most cucurbits (cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins) have flowers that are male or female and cannot self-pollinate. They are easy to tell apart. The female flower has a "fruit" at its base, while the male doesn't. Random fact for the day.
Bell Peppers
After struggling to get peppers to grow I finally had two seeds to germinate! They seem a little worse for wear right now, but in time they will grow and produce the peppers I want to add to my jars of pickled vegetables. I'm very excited as the only other capsicum I have grown in the past was my paprika and it lasted for two years before it eventually died.
Flowering Garlic
This has to be one of my pride and joys! I planted a garlic clove months ago as a joke, and clearly, it liked where it was planted. The whole flower head has opened, and it has been visited by many insects, which I always seem to miss as I never have a camera handy. I can't wait for the seeds! I won't bother growing from them, but they can be roasted and added to mayonnaise!
Garden Visitors
White-Spotted Fruit Chafer
I have had several of these guys emerge this year. Mausoleopsis amabilis are considered important pollinators in South Africa, despite the adults chewing on flower petals now and again. Because they don't tend to swam plants, they can easily be hand picked and removed. As they were doing such a great job on the radishes and garlic, I decided to let them be.
Aphids
I tried my best to get a few pictures of these annoying pests! I think they are the Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae) but I'm likely wrong. I was never very good at identifying aphids without a microscope, my professors would be rolling in their graves.
For now, they're all over my radishes, and I'm annoyed. I don't want to pull up my radishes as I'm waiting for their seed pods to develop. However, if I can't control these monsters, they'll likely move on to my other plants. For now, I have been spraying them with water and removing my hand as much as possible. I'll have to go out and get a spray bottle. Hoping with a dish soap or vinegar solution will sort them out. If not, oh well. It's all part of gardening life.
My main concern about them isn't that they're only draining the life from the radishes. Aphids not only spread disease with their piercing-sucking mouth parts, but they also secrete honeydew. This sickly sweet substance attracts ants in droves, something I don't want! Another issue with the honeydew is that it's a breeding ground for mold and other fungal infections.
Gardening Future
Right now I'm not planting anymore, as stated in my previous update, I am just tending my garden and hoping for it to thrive with fruit-bearing plants. I'm still enjoying container gardening, even with its limitations. I'll likely continue this through the summer and into autumn.
While you're out and about looking for more gardening content, go have a look at what 