most unusual produce

[kellygirrl]

I grew them, so anyone can Loose, rich soil. Don't let them dry out, that's what I just read in another forum last week, if I were a good person I'd find the link . If they dry out, they become less productive and they don't even show they've dried out until they've really dried out, so SOMEONE really let them dry out (I travel all the time, so I really sympathize.) But they don't want to be muddy, either. Anyway, I really did grow them okay, so I'm sure anyone can. I also just read that if you let the runners take root you get "baby" s. potatoes there, but they diminish your main crop, so it is suggested you lift the vines periodically. I'm excited about growing them in a deep-enough-with-drainage kiddie pool in front of the garage so I don't have to give up a bed, and it's an opportunity to fail at something I've done successfully

BTW, the leaves are yummy like spinach :

 

[kellygirrl]

Oh, Sylvie, the fastest way to get your paw paws would be to graft onto some of your existing trees. The people who know how say it isn't hard. But then, nothing's hard when you know how. :/

 

[kellygirrl]

[ I did attempt to hand pollinate with a little brush and I throw the dead mice from snap traps in our shed into that area but no luck.

I like your spunk!

 

[me&thegals]

it's an opportunity to fail at something I've done successfully

Snorting with laughter! Isn't that the fun of gardening? That, plus the fact that there are about a bazillion variables, so who on earth knows why it worked out great last year but it won't this year?!?

I'm going to try again and stay right on top of the watering. Interesting about the rooting stems. Makes sense. RE: Eating the leaves, do the areas where leaves have been harvested just keep sprouting back?

 

[kellygirrl]

Yes, the vines keep growing. I don't know how much you can eat before you're competing with the tubers, maybe I'll poke around and see what the smart people say.

 

[Sylvie]

Oh, Sylvie, the fastest way to get your paw paws would be to graft onto some of your existing trees. The people who know how say it isn't hard. But then, nothing's hard when you know how. :/

That's a great idea! I had considered picking a branch of flowers from another tree for pollination but it would be better to go the extra mile and graft! I've got nothing to lose.

 

[kellygirrl]

...go the extra mile and graft! I've got nothing to lose.

Yeah! That's the spirit! Hand pollinate, feed them dead mice, try grafting... I want to be like you when I grow up!

Where will you get your scion wood? Do you have anyone who can coach you? (Did you say you work in a nursery, or was that someone else?)

 

[setter4]

My GD and I are planting loofas ( loufa) this year. She wants to make soap and give it with loofas for Christmas gifts....we'll see! lol

 

[Sylvie]

...go the extra mile and graft! I've got nothing to lose.

Yeah! That's the spirit! Hand pollinate, feed them dead mice, try grafting... I want to be like you when I grow up!

Where will you get your scion wood? Do you have anyone who can coach you? (Did you say you work in a nursery, or was that someone else?)

When you phrase it like that I sound desperate, lol!

Yup, that was me.
I think I better get some cuttings from a few sources because I don't know my variety. There are a few trees locally that I have in mind.
Oh come on, haven't you ever entertained the idea of getting a cutting from a neighbor, at night? JK!

 

[Athena]

My GD and I are planting loofas ( loufa) this year. She wants to make soap and give it with loofas for Christmas gifts....we'll see! lol

How neat...

and a great idea to incorporate gardening with your grandkids...

and to me, quite an exotic endeavor...