shijing
The Living Force
I just wanted to share an idea that I tried for the first time a few years ago and which keeps me amused through the winter months (although you can do this anytime of the year). I had bought a cactus-growing kit where you set up soil in a container, sprinkle seeds across it, add water, place a plastic cap over it (to allow sunshine to come in but retain moisture from the evaporating water), and then place it on a windowsill so that it gets plenty of regular sunshine. It worked like it was supposed to, and was very enjoyable.
But then I thought, if this works with cacti, maybe it will work with other things. So I started saving seeds from all the fruits and vegetables that I bought at the store, and doing the same process with them. To my surprise (and great delight), it seemed to work with most things I tried. Gourds were especially easy, but I also got apple and pear trees started. Pomegranates and grapes came up pretty readily, and I was especially excited when it turned out to be really easy to get kiwis going. Avocados and mangoes worked nicely (they are actually quite similar in how they develop), and although I was less successful with fruit pits, I did get one peach started.
The one lesson I learned the hard way was not to put the plants that I had started indoors outdoors before they were ready -- I lost many of my seedlings this way, and had to start new ones the next year (depending on your climate, some may never be able to be moved outside). I also discovered that many people like getting things like this as a gift -- some people think its really neat to get a baby apple tree started from your own seed. I'm getting ready to do this all again this winter.
But then I thought, if this works with cacti, maybe it will work with other things. So I started saving seeds from all the fruits and vegetables that I bought at the store, and doing the same process with them. To my surprise (and great delight), it seemed to work with most things I tried. Gourds were especially easy, but I also got apple and pear trees started. Pomegranates and grapes came up pretty readily, and I was especially excited when it turned out to be really easy to get kiwis going. Avocados and mangoes worked nicely (they are actually quite similar in how they develop), and although I was less successful with fruit pits, I did get one peach started.
The one lesson I learned the hard way was not to put the plants that I had started indoors outdoors before they were ready -- I lost many of my seedlings this way, and had to start new ones the next year (depending on your climate, some may never be able to be moved outside). I also discovered that many people like getting things like this as a gift -- some people think its really neat to get a baby apple tree started from your own seed. I'm getting ready to do this all again this winter.