Collecting Seeds - Nemesia

 This is the first time that I had Nemesia in my Garden. In fact I saw this plant for the first time this year in a nursery and just had to buy it. It's short, dense and flowers profusely. The top area of the plant is completely filled with small flowers in Spring season.

I surely want Nemesia next year as well. So why not save some seeds and have a garden full of Nemesia next year. Seed collection can be a little tricky though. The seeds pods are very delicate when they turn brown and will easily split while pulling them. It's best to use a scissor to snip them off and then gently place them on a paper or container. Then separate the seeds from pods and then pour the seeds into a paper or plastic bag. Label it clearly and then place it in a cool dark place until you're ready to plant them.

Seed pods

Winter/Spring 2014 Terrace Flower Garden

Who doesn't love Winter and Spring time in Delhi. It's the time when you get some respite from the scorching heat of the summer and sweaty humidity of monsoon. Moreover one gets to enjoy the outdoors more rather than hiding in air-conditioned rooms.

Another thing which appeals me about these two seasons is the floral explosion in and around Delhi. Most of our winter flowers are known as Summer flowers in cooler regions. Delhi Winter temperature ranges from around 5 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. There is no danger of frost usually as the temperature remains above 0. Winter is followed by pleasant Spring with temperature ranging between 20-25 degree Celsius. Both these seasons are favorable for growing a wide range of flowers such as Petunia, Pansies, Gazania, Dahlia, Aster and the list goes on.

I wanted to have a piece of floral action at my place, so I decided to have a small terrace garden. I had a few Gazania and Dianthus growing in pots which I had started from last year's saved seeds. Got a few more plants from the local nursery and put them all together in a marble kitchen sink which had been lying around without any use.

Then I got 3 cement planters and planted Petunia, Gazania and Aster(which I got really cheap in grow trays).

The above 4 pics were taken on 26th Nov '13.

And this is how it looked like after about a month(19th Dec '13)

Notice the small Aster plants flowering. I later read somewhere that if flowers appear too early they should be pinched to allow the plant to become strong. Which is probably what I should have done because my plants only produced a few flowers at a very short height and then withered away.

And finally in full bloom. This is how it looked like by Feb end.

For some reason Dahlias attracted monkeys and peacocks. So I lost quite a few flowers to them. Here are some of the Dahlias which were left.

Notice the Dahlias in vase. Those were really big ones. Must be around 8 inches if not more. I prefer to keep the flowers on the plant but due to a strong wind one night these 2 were left dangling. So I had to cut them and placed them in the vase where they stayed for good 2 weeks.

Here's a look at some more flowers from this season's garden.....

Habiscus

Kalanchoe

Marigold

Geranium

Lily

Ranunculus

Now as I am writing this blog it's almost end of Spring and beginning of Summer. So I'm in seed collection mode. Will also try to save Dahlia tubers - it's something that I have never tried before. Also have 2 lily bulbs that need to be taken care of to get bloom next year. More on these topics in my next blog.