This week has been a lovely week for the plants. They’re all showing some signs of new life (except the Ginkgo, which has started to worry me). The plants that have already sprouted are chugging along, growing to greater and greater size. There aren’t many new leaves on any of the plants, but the existing ones are getting larger by the day. I’m looking forward to many tasty plants on the balcony!
If you like gardens, you might have fun with a Six on Saturday post of your own! Find out what it’s all about by checking out where it all started. I’m looking forward to seeing many happy plants. If you have a Six on Saturday post, don’t hesitate to drop a link below.
1
I got my hands on some wild raspberry (or blackberry?) cuttings last weekend. Two of them are not doing so well – the leaves are drooping and the colors are turning a bit dark. The third cutting, however, has decided to start growing buds. It doesn’t even have roots yet, but it’s determined to make itself right at home. Currently, it’s living in a plastic cup full of some very-absorptive coconut coir (I think). That, in turn, is in a small glass greenhouse. It’s only getting indirect window light, but that seems to be just fine.
2
The Billy Balls (Craspedia) are getting along wonderfully. One of the ones still living in the original seed-starting trough is getting quite large – big enough that it’s reaching leaves in through the blinds from the windowsill. Two of the seedlings that were transplanted early have largely remained unchanged in size, but occasionally droop and then lift back up over the course of the day. They’ve been living in a pot outside – I hope they’re just spending their time getting their roots established. And the two seedlings that were transferred to medium pots and kept inside have gotten to a medium size. I can’t figure out why some are getting along well and others aren’t – but none of the five have died yet! Better than last year.
3
The sunflower has been having a happy time after the transplant. I had to cover it up one day for some truly astounding winds, but it’s been getting along otherwise. No new leaves yet, but the existing ones have been getting larger. The roots had reached the bottom of the medium pot it was in earlier, so I’m hoping the roots are enjoying the chance to spread out. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it’s not root-bound!
4
A new plant! The lovely and mysterious Marimo Moss Ball. They live at the bottoms of rivers and roll around, tumbling into a happy little ball. They only grow a few millimeters a year, so this one is probably getting on in years. I’m not sure what caused the white patch on one side – it may be from transport. It was an impulse buy and had a long ride home. Right now, it’s my latest desk companion. Such a happy little bundle of green!
5
The Broadleaf Cress are having a lovely time in their planter. I can’t eat them fast enough, so at this point I’m just waiting for some of these to go to seed. I’m not sure if I want a continual planter of cress for the rest of the year, but I can’t argue with how cheerfully green they are. It’s a pretty nice feeling to be able to go outside and clip a few stalks whenever I want! Their flavor isn’t so strong any more, but they look wonderful atop a salad.
6
The Boston Fern is having a lovely time in its new cubicle planter. This is the smaller of the two divisions, and has yet to put up any new shoots. I’m hoping the grow lights will give it a good semblance of the indirect window lighting it had been getting indoors as a whole plant. I realized only after uploading this photo that a daddy longlegs spider had apparently made itself home right away. Such a bold little critter.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a pleasant time checking out the plants. If you’re in the mood for more nature, please stay in touch!
Mindful Foliage 
I hope you don’t mean what’s called Himalayan wild blackberry! That’s what grows wild (and invasive) in CA, and my OR. I have almost gotten it all out of my yard, a few plants pop up every spring around now. I had a small patch when I moved in and thought, “it’s my yard, I can handle it.” But, I couldn’t!
The broadleaf cress is a pretty plant. I would have taken it for some sort of parsley.
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Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
I’m not sure which kind it is, but that didn’t pop up when I was doing my searches. I guess time will tell! Is the Himalayan Wild Blackberry at least tasty?
It grows amazingly quickly. Easy plant to try out!
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My close friend gave me a Marimo moss ball for christmas, and it’s been super easy to care for. A different friend is trying to get me into the aquatic plant game which is super different than anything I’m used to! Also it’s great to hear that you have some natural pest control in your fern, I’m pretty glad whenever I see spiders on the prowl among my plants.
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Thanks for stopping by!
I hope your moss ball has a long and happy life. Have you noticed it getting any larger yet?
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Not really! It’s about an inch and a half in diameter which is about the size it was when I got it. Maybe it’ll put on some growth over the summer!
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