A Seed Saver's Garden

[Anniekay]

I think, with some flowers, it depends on your growing conditions, how bright, light, or dark the flower comes out. I had a plant I brought with me from S. Florida and there it was a much darker color, even considering the strong sun light, than it became here. Also, the growers are normally growing their plants in optimum conditions which we may not have.

This is not to say that sellers don't "enhance" their photos. They do, for sure, but it also depends on what light intensity they are photographing the flowers in. Colors, most of them save purple, look darker in lower light. Take a pic of a red rose, for example, in shade and the intensity of color is much deeper than in bright sunlight.
Noticing the background light intensity helps me to determine how accurately the plant's colors are coming out.

 

[Pulsegleaner]

1. Cukes finally up (well, some of them).

2. Think I got my hands on some backup mini Glass Gem (in case mine next year proves so old as to be totally dead.)

 

[heirloomgal]

I think, with some flowers, it depends on your growing conditions, how bright, light, or dark the flower comes out. I had a plant I brought with me from S. Florida and there it was a much darker color, even considering the strong sun light, than it became here. Also, the growers are normally growing their plants in optimum conditions which we may not have.

This is not to say that sellers don't "enhance" their photos. They do, for sure, but it also depends on what light intensity they are photographing the flowers in. Colors, most of them save purple, look darker in lower light. Take a pic of a red rose, for example, in shade and the intensity of color is much deeper than in bright sunlight.
Noticing the background light intensity helps me to determine how accurately the plant's colors are coming out.

In the cases where I experienced a different flower type/color than pictured it was beyond those kinds of factors. Flesh toned daffodils like Petit Fours were the standard bright yellow, tulips that were not anything like the box indicated. For some reason bulbs in particular have especially misleading imaging. Most perennials I find pretty good, but that's because they try time the blooming with their time on the nursery shelf so they can't really exaggerate too much because of that. Peonies seem an exception though. I actually saw a peony this year that was supposedly a true butter lemon yellow, and I was very tempted to buy it. Never seen a yellow peony around here though and it was close to 50 dollars. They're all white, light pink or dark pink. I may go back and look at it again, I'd love a true yellow peony, but I'd kind of like to see it blooming first for such a high price.

 

[heirloomgal]

What a beginning to the gardening year.

We went from winter to summer very late in the season, with so little time/heat/sunshine to get transplants ready. That was a major setback. And then the dog had a major health crisis, which has not been easy to deal with as he's needed 24/7 care, let alone the emotional side of it. I had my first night's sleep in a bed last night after being with him on the living room floor for 3 weeks. So I've been torn between seasonal deadlines and all of us wanting to be with the dog a lot, because we don't know what's going to happen. Trying to stay positive, and the gardening has been a deeply appreciated stress reliever when I am able to get out and get something done.

I will say that my new little sunroom has really saved me this year. I planted almost all the beans and many of the peas in there in pots (the peas in cell packs) about 2 weeks ago and because they're all sprouting in there so well I don't need to rush to get anything direct seeded in the garden. It's quite hot in there and is facilitating germination very very well, and no bugs. I'm actually at a point where if I can put nearly everything I grow in as transplants. It's more work but worth it. You just have so much more control and can have extras in case there is some problem, and you aren't set back. I've lost a few corn transplants to I dunno what, but I kept some transplants back ( I planned for extra) and have been able to go in and just pop a new transplant in the gap.

So I am thrilled to have gotten the 'Apricotta' Cosmos seedlings in this evening, the stripey 4 O'Clocks, 'Lemon Sorbet' Sunflowers (a branching type), 'Taiyo' sunflower (non-branching type with a single large head) and all the tomatoes are officially planted. It was a lot. Many long keepers again this year. Feels wonderful after you've nursed seedling trays full of plants for so long, to finally put them in the ground.

So, tomorrow the peppers, eggplant, tzimbalo, & some direct seeded peas hopefully go in - and that will mostly be it until the grand finale - the bean and pea transplants. So close to done!

 

[Anniekay]

What a beginning to the gardening year.

We went from winter to summer very late in the season, with so little time/heat/sunshine to get transplants ready. That was a major setback. And then the dog had a major health crisis, which has not been easy to deal with as he's needed 24/7 care, let alone the emotional side of it. I had my first night's sleep in a bed last night after being with him on the living room floor for 3 weeks. So I've been torn between seasonal deadlines and all of us wanting to be with the dog a lot, because we don't know what's going to happen. Trying to stay positive, and the gardening has been a deeply appreciated stress reliever when I am able to get out and get something done.

I will say that my new little sunroom has really saved me this year. I planted almost all the beans and many of the peas in there in pots (the peas in cell packs) about 2 weeks ago and because they're all sprouting in there so well I don't need to rush to get anything direct seeded in the garden. It's quite hot in there and is facilitating germination very very well, and no bugs. I'm actually at a point where if I can put nearly everything I grow in as transplants. It's more work but worth it. You just have so much more control and can have extras in case there is some problem, and you aren't set back. I've lost a few corn transplants to I dunno what, but I kept some transplants back ( I planned for extra) and have been able to go in and just pop a new transplant in the gap.

So I am thrilled to have gotten the 'Apricotta' Cosmos seedlings in this evening, the stripey 4 O'Clocks, 'Lemon Sorbet' Sunflowers (a branching type), 'Taiyo' sunflower (non-branching type with a single large head) and all the tomatoes are officially planted. It was a lot. Many long keepers again this year. Feels wonderful after you've nursed seedling trays full of plants for so long, to finally put them in the ground.

So, tomorrow the peppers, eggplant, tzimbalo, & some direct seeded peas hopefully go in - and that will mostly be it until the grand finale - the bean and pea transplants. So close to done!

You're growing some really good stuff !! I can't wait to see your progress this year !!.

 

[flowerbug]

sorry to hear about your dog having troubles. in the middle of all that other stuff it must be a tough time. to all.

 

[digitS']

I feel the same about transplants —  boom, a garden!

One can't quite give up on the nursing of the plants. "Transplanting shock" is a reality. Hardening off may not have prepared them to all weather changes, which are so likely to throw us into a tizzy a good 50% of the Springtimes ... boing! Backups are good.

A role I had for cosmos, especially in the dahlia garden. Saved or purchased roots don't always show up as green and growing plants. Darn! You have allocated 4 sqft of ground in the bed and  nothing. There I'd be with the package of cosmos seed ... sprinkle ... They grow so quickly by the time the dahlias have a flower, the cosmos are shoulder-to-shoulder and soon have their own flowers.

Steve, Good Luck during the season and with canine care