Take 2 🎬
The update for this week unfortunately is not a good one, most of the plants have died. It took an unexpected turn as I struggled with the challenges that went with growing plants from seeds. My first misstep emerged when I miscalculated the amount of water the seeds needed. This led to waterlogged soil and the development of root rot, a consequence of the soil's excessive moisture content. The plants became weak and were sagging, struggling to stay upright. Tragically, the environment also created the ideal conditions for mold to grow in the soil. Desperate to rectify this, I left the seeds outside in the sunlight, hoping it would accelerate the drying process. However, this move proved counterproductive as the intense sun exposure parched the seeds beyond recovery, leaving them frail and shriveled up. So, I took all of what I’ve learned over the past month and went out to buy new seeds for a second time.
What I learned was that it was easiest to grow beans. The beans were the first ones to sprout and the last ones to die so I went out and bought four different kinds of beans: Blue Lake, Contender, Royal Burgundy, and Kentucky Wonder. Now, most of them are bush varieties but the Kentucky Wonder isn’t, it is a pole variety, which means that its supposed to grow on trellises. I do not intend it going into my hydroponic farm because of this, but I want to see how it grows. I also bought two types of basil (lemon and dark opal) because they are fast growing herbs that work well in hydroponic systems. Taking what I learned from the first time, the plants are in my garage, which offers a warmer consistent temperature. They are also in a small greenhouse that provides controlled conditions, mitigating excess moisture risks. Additionally, I'm cautious about exposing them to direct sunlight in their early growth stages, so they are placed away from a window. This new plan shows I've learned from my mistakes and am taking better care of the young plants. I'm hopeful this batch will turn into strong and healthy plants.
