Dandruff on Sweet Potato Leaves??

It appears that my sweet potato sprouts have developed a case of dandruff!!  Both the top and undersides of the leaves are covered with white, flaky, crystal-like structures!  Do I have a problem with pests or disease?

Internet research indicated two possible reasons, both of which are not related to pests or disease:

• The plants may have developed "secretory colleters", a condition in which the leaves form clusters of swollen, glassy hairs that burst and secrete mucilage that dries to a crystal-like structure. It is thought to be a defense mechanism, a means by which plants protect themselves from drought.

• The second reason could be that calcium oxalates were secreted through plant pores.  Sweet potatoes carry high amounts of this chemical and, supposedly, under certain conditions will secrete excess calcium oxalates that dry to form crystals.  

For more information, see http://beyondthehumaneye.blogspot.com/2013/10/overheating-sweet-potato.html

In either case, it appears I may be overheating the jars of sweet potatoes/slips keeping them near the wood stove.  I immediately moved the sweet potato jars to a cooler location, freshened the water, rinsed off the mildly-affected leaves and disposed of those leaves significantly damaged. Hopefully, this is just a small hiccup in my sweet potato production. 

Saturday's Play Time!

It's early Saturday morning and there is "no better way to start the day" than to play with seedlings! 

Today I need to give the geraniums some attention. The seedlings that did germinate are now at a good size to transplant, having two sets of true leaves. I plan to separate the two seedlings that occupy some cells and move them into open cells in the 4-packs as well as into three 3" pots. I probably should give the remaining non-germinated seeds extra time to germinate but, as is often the case, I am impatient and want to do the job now.

First time growing geraniums!

To transplant, I give the seedlings a good watering an hour or so beforehand to reduce the risk of shock. Using a small butter knife or craft stick, I gently dig below the seedling to prick it out, working carefully to not disturb the roots. It's important to hold the seedling by its leaves, never its delicate stem, for fear of crushing it or perhaps injuring the growing tip. Poking a hole with a pencil into the new growing medium, I plant the seedling at the same depth, gently firming the soil with my finger tips and watering well.

I use a very crumbly and multi-textured mix, Metromix 830, and it makes easy work of transplanting. I don't expect these small seedlings to skip a beat.

Nice and orderly now!

It was also time for the Sweet William container to be thinned. As you can see, the seedlings are very crowded and many should be removed.

Before the thinning

Drum roll, please! This is what the container looks like now.  I always feel badly when I thin my seedlings; it's like being forced to choose a favorite child.  Unfortunately, I don't need all those seedlings and they would compete for space and nutrients needed by the seedlings earmarked for the garden. 

After the thinning

In a few weeks time, I'll thin the container again and let the remaining seedlings grow on for a while until they get transplanted to their own pots. I would like to end up with twenty-five new plants to move into the perennial garden bed. 

TIP OF THE DAY!!  I use an old pair of cuticle scissors to thin out small, densely-packed seedlings. After making a clean cut at the base of the stem, I throw those seedlings into a compost pile. 

Postscript #1 - I'm now certain I placed the sweet potato upside down into the water.  More shoots are growing into the water and the roots are stunted. Count this as the first failure of the season.  I'm confident the four remaining sweet potatoes will provide all the sweet potato slips I need. 

Starting Herbs

Mason jars are decorative, affordable and versatile! 

Today I sowed a few herbs: 

Oregano (Common, Origanum vulgare): American Seed Company, 2015. Planted three 4-packs barely covering the seeds.  Expected germination time, 8-10 days. Characteristics: perennial, has milder flavor than Greek variety, pretty pink to lavender flowers, also called wild oregano, pot marjoram or wild marjoram, 24-30" tall, pinch to keep bushy, small dark green leaves, harvest just before bloom, ideal for containers, bring inside for winter use.
See: https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/view/6110/Oregano-Common-Organic-HEIRLOOM-Seeds

Oregano (Greek ,Origanum heracleoticum):  Fedco Seeds, 2015.  Planted seeds into three 4-packs barely covering the seed.  Expected germination time, 7-14 days. Days to Maturity, 80-90. Characteristics: perennial, full sun, likes light alkaline soil, spreads slowly as clump, strong oregano aroma and flavor, dark green leaves, deep purple-brown stems, 18" tall, flowers edible. Clip leaves throughout the growing season and use fresh or dried.
See: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/search?item=4648&listname=Oregano&cookies=no

Oregano (Zaatar, Origanum syriacum): Fedco Seeds, 2015.  Planted seeds into two 4-packs barely covering the seed.  Expected germination time, 7-14 days.  Days to Maturity, 85-90. Characteristics: annual, full sun, likes alkaline soil, in the mint family, Middle Eastern herb used often with garlic, salt, olive oil, crushed sumac seeds used on bread. Has great flavor that blends hints of oregano, thyme and marjoram. 
See: http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/10/wild-zaatar-oregano-an-update/

Parsley (Triple Moss Curled, Petroselinum crispum): MI Gardener, 2015. Plant four 4-packs, seeds planted 1/4" deep. Expected germination time,  21-28 days.  Days to Maturity, 70. Characteristics: biennial, full sun to partly shady, 12" tall, flavor is extra rich, deeply cut, bright green leaves.
See: http://www.seedsnow.com/products/parsley-curly-triple-moss-curled

TIP OF THE DAY!!  Using room temperature water that has been sitting overnight to release chlorine, the soil of germinating seeds must be kept consistently moist. Occasionally, I will cover them with plastic wrap, but this method can grow fungus. I prefer to leave the containers uncovered and adjust the surface moisture levels daily with an old water bottle or spray bottle. Once the seedlings emerge, I allow the soil to dry out a bit and bottom water using a watering can.

"Dollar" stores are a great place to buy watering cans and bottles!

And Then There Was Pansy

One little pansy decided to sprout today.  The seed was planted 7 days ago; it is within the expected range as stated on the packet (3-9 days). Again, pelletized seeds appear to germinates faster than its non-pelletized counterparts (generally 14-21 days).

I moved the sweet potatoes off the wood stove mantle where the temperature averaged above 80 degrees. Afraid that the slips would be ready to plant outdoors many weeks ahead of schedule, I moved the jars to a cooler area, on the kitchen table with the germinating seed trays.

Rosemary Was Quick to Follow

Five rosemary seedlings made their appearance today.  I planted a total of 64 pelletized seeds, eight in each cell. I am curious when others will appear given that rosemary seeds have a low germination rate. I've decided to put both 4-packs under lights to get those early seedlings off to a good start.

Another two lavender seedlings also made a showing today in the container in which the seeds were covered. The "uncovered" container still has just one seedling.  I decided to move it from the bay window and put both lavender containers under growlights.

And we mustn't forget to mention that one geranium seedling made its debut today.  It's taking its time, however, unfurling its head ever so slowly.

The sweet potato on the right is really producing roots and has one sprout.  The other one, however, has many short roots but no sprouts to boast about.

Let the Seeding Begin!

I started seeds today knowing perfectly well that I am very early even for these varieties:

Delphiniums (Pacific Giant, Delphinium elatum): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted these seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 10-12 weeks were recommended.  Seeds were chilled in the refrigerator for a week prior to being sown.  Sowed two 4"x8" containers, approximately 50-55 seeds in each one, 1/4 inch deep (darkness required).  As part of an experiment to determine if continued chilling assists in germination, one container was placed in the refrigerator for two weeks while the other was not. Expected germination time: 25-30 days. Characteristics: perennial, full sun, 4-5' tall (back border), blooms in summer, pastel pink, lavender, white and blue spires, staking may be needed, thought to be difficult to sprout. See http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Flower-Seed/Delphinium-Seed/Delphinium-Pacific-Giants-Mixed.html#.VNDdv9X3-iw.

Pansy (Swiss Giant Mix, Viola wittrocklana): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted pelletized seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 10-12 weeks were recommended.  Sowed one 4"x8" container, approximately 80 seeds, 1/4 inch deep (darkness required).  Expected germination time: 3-9 days since pelleted, most generally 14-28 days. Characteristics: annual, full sun, 6-8" tall (front border), blooms in spring, rainbow of colors, fragrant, large blooms, compact plants for use in containers. See http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Flower-Seed/Summer-Flowering/Pansy-Swiss-Giants-Mixed_2.html#.VNDqH9X3-iw.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted pelletized seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 8 weeks was recommended.  I will likely have to "pot up" before planting out in the garden in mid May. Sowed two 4-packs, approximately 8 seeds each cell, planted 1/4" deep (darkness required). Expected germination time: 5-7 days since pelletized; most generally 14-21 days. Characteristics: tender perennial, evergreen shrub, full sun, plant in containers or in herb garden, fussy to sprout. See http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8172-rosemary.aspx.

Lavender (Vera, Lavandula vera ):  Livingston Seeds. Planted seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 6-8 weeks were recommended.  Sowed three 4"x8" containers, approximately 45 seeds each.  The seeds in one container were pressed into the seed mix (surface sown, light required).  The seeds of the second container were covered 1/4" with seed mix as suggested on the packet.  A third container was placed in the refrigerator for a few weeks; a few sources had recommended chilling. Expected germination time: 14-21 days or up to a month. Characteristics: perennial, full sun to partial shade, 18-24" (mid-border), bushy/hardy variety. See http://www.everwilde.com/store/Organic-Vera-Lavender-Herb-Seeds.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAgMKmBRDMjo_F9OfUubABEiQAp8Ky140ONtaXwjOF7Z5Q4JO-xuLxfkt1K9H14SOMgRCkLpcaAluO8P8HAQ.

TIP OF THE DAY!!  Collect clean water as you sow seeds.  Simply place a basin under the faucet as you rinse your hands, tools, trays, etc. This water may be used to wet potting mix or water seedlings.

Postscript #1 -  Small white roots in both sweet potatoes have emerged.