My journey to having a green thumb by Jovi Anne Deinla Albao

November 3, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-03 00:58:06 UTC

I've been researching about how to grow tomatoes in pots, and I've been in Youtube for years and it was only last night that I started subscribing to accounts just so I can get gardening updates.

Wow this obsession didn't left me til today, so, because I wanted to really push this and realized that I can have a page that I can be accountable, I decided to make a padlet for this. =)

I hope this is the start of something great!

November 5, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-05 08:08:54 UTC

Was supposed to buy cherry tomatoes because a tomato tree might take a lot of space inside the house. Unfortunately, the supermarket ran out of them cuties. I'm stuck with the tomatoes in the fridge.

1. CONTAINERS
First off, I prepared the containers for my seeds. NOTE: You should cut a hole at the bottom of every container to allow for drainage.

2. SEEDS
I just got the seeds from a tomato in the fridge, harvested about 20. Took it out from it's jelly coating and extracted more moisture by squeezing it in a paper towel.

3. SOIL
I'm not sure if this is potting soil that I used, but I got it from Tagaytay, the Ate said it has fertilizer already. My research told me it should be potting soil, i'm taking the risk. I'm using readily available materials for my preps.

4. PLANTING
After placing the "potting soil" in the containers, I punched small holes using the end of the handle of a disposable spoon and dropped 3 seeds on each container. I made sure i'm also covering them lightly with the spoon. The Green thumbs said when they begin to sprout you can choose the strongest seedling and transplant it separately in a bigger container.

5. LOCATION
According to my research the seeds just needed to be in a dark moist place until it becomes a seedling. I'm putting it under my bed cos my place is quite bright.

6. WAITING GAME
It should take 6-8 days until the seeds begin to sprout. I'm quite worried since it says the soil temperature should be 27 deg Celsius for it to sprout speedily. But look at the weather. It's rainy. I hope it'll still grow. Pray with me!

Also, I just need to check the soil everyday, hope it doesn't dry up. Please sprout please sprout. I really want this!

*My containers, with holes in the bottom, inside a bigger container so I can water without worrying about the drain. <3

jovialbao — 2017-11-07 10:25:32 UTC

November 11, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-11 12:00:02 UTC

Germination is the process by which an organism grows from a seed or similar structure. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm. (taken from Wikipedia)

I never thought this day would come, it was a long day for me and I was thinking of my seeds the entire time because it has been 6 days already not a sign of green thing coming out. I got discouraged and at the same time there was a feeling of "in denial" acceptance that I really have a black thumb.

WAITING PROCESS
It is important that you keep the soil moist and in a hot temperature. But this week was a mix of cold and hot weather which got me into a lot of worrying. Actually today there is a storm inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

But maybe God recognized my effort of really getting to know this craft, specifically researching so much about tomatoes. I am also promoting it as a therapeutic activity that adds to your good vibes!

I'm trying a lot of positive things this year and so far this is my first success story. More to come please!

For me this is a milestone already. So eager to see some more of them sprout tomorrow. And in a couple more days, I look forward to perform my first transplant (transferring the strongest seedlings to a bigger pot)!

Would you look at that small thingy at the center!!! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

November 14, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-14 05:31:05 UTC

Currently on vacation, i'm actually worried about my little seedling back home. Another one had sprout the other night by the way. Was able to take a picture before I left.

jovialbao — 2017-11-14 05:41:27 UTC

By the way it had started to grow leggy, probably it's trying to reach the sun. Heard it's not healthy, cos soon they'll be heavy and the stem wont be able to support the growing leaves.

jovialbao — 2017-11-14 05:48:22 UTC

The reason for this is that theyre trying to reach the sun. Or wherever there is light. One thing I can do, at least before I transplant them, is to provide light reflectors to allow the sun's light to bounce back in a specific or several angles. So here is a simple hack I learned from a green thumb vlogger.

November 15, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-15 09:38:05 UTC

Got home from vacation and I saw my plant begging for attention. It has grown all leggy and it looked like it had too much water the past few days, when I specifically instructed my brother to water it once only.

The water washed some soil away from the tiny pot, and the leaf was torn. I asked my brother what happened the pots fell on the floor. I can't imagine the damage. For a little seedling to take all of that. I tried adding soil and will wait until tomorrow if it will look more healthy. Cross fingers, I will feel awfully sad if it dies just like that.

If tomorrow it will survive and change its appearance I will conduct a transplant at night for it to have it's own bigger shelter to thrive on. Maybe it's time to invest on tea bags and coffee grains?

I'll drop by Starbucks later to see if I can ask for coffee grains, I hope they allow. I hope my first aid will work.

*BTW, I don't have a picture of my plant cos I rushed for first aid the moment I saw it. I need prayers for this.

November 21

jovialbao — 2017-11-22 13:43:55 UTC

I performed transplant for my seedling tonight. I got worried cos it's not growing, and the leaves aren't super green. 2 possible reasons - 1. ive been over watering and 2. its not getting any good sunlight.

Out of 18 seeds just 1 grew and its taking her a long time to grow its real leaves.

Maybe it's time to start putting fertilizer.

Here is my newly transplanted tomato seedling inside a bigger pot.

November 22, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-22 13:59:41 UTC

While it is good to be hopeful about my stunted tomato seedling, I realized I need to start growing my second batch. I am still learning, and the first batch is just a trial. From my first batch, I learned that the soil should be a bit compressed enough that I can hug the seeds and allow it to absorb nutrients from the soil.

So yeah I made one and did it with less preps. I compressed 6 seeds in 1 plastic cup. Again with a hole at the bottom for drainage. This time I did some compressing, just enough to give the seed a good hold but not too much to still allow airflow.

Also, my exhibit A seedling got pampered with starbucks coffee grains. So hopefully it will have an effect. In a few days I might also buy gardening soil in QC Circle, the main problem could also be the soil.

Here is my exhibit B.

November 26, 2017

jovialbao — 2017-11-26 14:20:04 UTC

My first batch seedling has not grown. I think there's something wrong with the soil totally. Time to buy garden soil from QC Circle. Haaaays.

jovialbao — 2017-11-26 14:23:38 UTC

But by simply compressing the soil a little bit, my exhibit B seems to have grown well. These seedlings are shooting up now, to think that I just planted them 3 days ago. So if by tomorrow the leaves start to open that means I need to start transplanting them into a bigger pot individually and in a better garden soil. The sooner the better I guess.

Excited to see 4 seedlings shooting up tomorrow! ^_^