All recent comments/discussion

Showing 7291 - 7320 of 20174 comments
Asparagus 28 May, Paul Naude (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Any luck Mack?
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 02 Mar, Daniel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a medium size Chilli plant that has been in the ground now for the summer period but it hasn't produced a single fruit. It is only starting to flower. I have never tried growing Chilli before so I have a few questions 1. When/what month should I expect some chilli's?(Summers finished here) 2. Are the flowers the base of the chilli's pod? 3.What can I use use to stop moths/bugs eating the leaves? TIA
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 05 Mar, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here. Plant during the summer. Has a long growing season. Take 9-11 weeks to produce fruit. Needs warm and airy space. 1. Flowers will produce chilli I presume. 2. Yes the chilli should come from the flower pod. 3. Look up a spray on the internet for spraying chilli. Or put bird netting over it.
Pumpkin 02 Mar, Lynn Ollington (Australia - temperate climate)
How do stop pumpkins rotting on vine
Pumpkin 05 Mar, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The female flower is there for a few days - if it is not pollinated then it will rot and fall off. If you put water into the flower it will probably rot. The flower is only open for one morning so hand pollinate it if you don't have any bees. There is a shortage of bees world wide. It might be a bug/disease and I have no idea. Have the plants out in the open and not in shade damp areas. Water low and in the late afternoon - no water into the female flower.
Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 27 Feb, Tony Mackay (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Nambucca area frost free north east slope. Can i still plant rockmelons. I have the plants.
Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 01 Mar, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can grow rockies in the autumn. Probably don't taste as good as the spring ones. I had rockies in and harvested the last in Jan - the fruit left in the garden bed, their seeds were germinating with in a fortnight.
Pumpkin 27 Feb, Ndumie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it true that the growing butternut must not get direct sunlight? It must be covered?
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 27 Feb, Mohammed (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is it too late to grow OKRA now in Sydney - Blacktown area
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 01 Mar, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should be Ok by this website. It says plant up to Feb - today is only 1st March.
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 04 Mar, Jill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have been harvesting okra since last week Feb (Brisbane) but it's been really hot
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 27 Feb, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm not sure the best section to post regarding bitter melon, so have ended up here. Can someone possibly explain what would cause a bitter melon to get a horseshoe shape, in fact one is almost full circle. Stress?
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 01 Mar, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You may be right - water or nutrient stress. Cucumbers can do this sometimes.
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 04 Mar, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
For a while I thought it was poor pollination but I've been noticing the tiny bitter melon behind the opening female flower is already horseshoe shaped on many occasions, and only on plants in one part of the garden near grapevines while further away they are unaffected. They all get the same water and fertiliser treatment. Perhaps the grapes are stealing a lot of the nutrients. I'll take a chance and increase the fertiliser routine for those two closest to the vines and see what results. I have seen some badly shaped cucumbers and that has generally been caused by poor pollination.
Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 26 Feb, Mike (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am looking for Jerusalem artichokes bulbs for planting. In the Elgin Valley. Somerset nearby. Please email - thanks, mike
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 25 Feb, Chloe (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have two furiously shooting kumara that have been growing in the pantry (!) Whilst I was overseas. I'm located in a very sunny spot in Auckland, is there any point in attempting to grow them now? (End Feb)
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 27 Feb, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give it a go.
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 08 Mar, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
Pop it in the ground, that way you will have slips for next Spring. However, if you get cold winters over there, pop it in a pot, so you can move it to the garage or shed during the cold days and nights.
Mint (also Garden mint) 25 Feb, Cynthia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Something is feasting on mint in my garden and I am left with lots of holes. What may this be and what is an organic remedy. Until recently I have complained that it is growing like a weed.
Mint (also Garden mint) 26 Feb, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe an organic spray of soap, garlic and chilli. Look up Gardening Australia website (last weekends program has a story on it) or other websites to see.
Garlic 24 Feb, Leonie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have just discovered your website, wow, it's fantastic!
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 24 Feb, Val Clark (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant out the new growth from a tubar. I have a sweet potato that has sprung heaps of shoots. I'd like to put them into pots. Will they grow over winter in I keep them warm or am I wasting my time?
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 08 Mar, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Adelaide -Temperate, and I leave mine in the ground over winter.
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 26 Feb, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put them in the ground if you have a garden. Cover with some shade until they start to establish themselves. Sweet spuds are grown all year round in Bundaberg - 30-35 degrees in summer.
Pumpkin 23 Feb, Trudi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have lots of pumpkin flowers but only one pumpkin has formed. A friend mentioned male and female flowers. Can/should I remove flowers that aren't going to produce fruit?
Pumpkin 26 Feb, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you go to the Australian - sub-tropical zone - there is quite a bit about this with pumpkin. Pumpkin produce male flowers first then they have female flowers, The female flower is only open for one day (until about mid day). No bees no pumpkin. So hand pollination is required. Take about two male flowers and rub the female flowers with it. Look up the internet on how to do it. This applies to zucchini, cues and melons also I believe.
Peas 23 Feb, Frank save (Australia - temperate climate)
hi I like to point out that temperate does not cover Sydney near airport, it should be called warm temperate, it makes a big difference, quoting suburbs also gives people an idea what will grow where,thank you
Peas 02 Apr, matt (Australia - temperate climate)
You're kidding right Frank? Near Sydney airport is neither sub-tropical, nor cool/mountain. Temperate covers a lot of the Sydney basin just fine, and the rest comes down to your aspect and nuances of where you live.
Peas 26 Feb, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have one website saying sub-tropical is all the way down to Sydney and another saying it stops just over the northern NSW border. Websites are only a guide.
Peas 18 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mike, yes. I was lead to believe that subtropical was from midway between Mackay and Rockhampton and extended into Nrthn NSW. However, as you say, 'Websites are only a guide', which is why I planted some things out of season (according to packets). For example, some people said eggplant won't grow here. It does.
Showing 7291 - 7320 of 20174 comments
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