WineLovers Discussion Group

What plants have you grown from your kitchen seeds, roots, tubers, etc.?

I've grown most kinds of grains (e.g., wheat, spelt, Kamut, amaranth, quinoa, etc.), and buckwheat--just to see what they look like. I've grown a number of chiles from the dried ones from stores. I tried to grow ginger, but it failed after a promising start. Likewise, with a lemon seed. Currently, I have some lemongrass growing.

Let's hear from you....

Larry Greenly wrote:What plants have you grown from your kitchen seeds, roots, tubers, etc.?

Intentionally, none, but to my recollection, we've had tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins and squash come up in the compost, and we've got a yard full of sunflowers that came up from dropped bird seed. Peanuts thrown out to squirrels also sprout, but I don't think we've ever had a harvest.

- Nespalone fruit from the nuts brought back from Italy (but I failed to keep it alive)
- Puglian chilli type peppers (Black) - again brought back from Italy
- Avocado currently growing in the greenhouse
- Lemon
- Possibly olive in there as well
- Tomato
- Apricots & cherries lined up for next year

Like Larry, I think mostly it's inquisitiveness, but also a joy at how nature gets on with re-birth despite my ham-fisted efforts!

regards

Ian

About 20 years ago, I had an avocado seed that sprouted in my place and grew into a 7-foot-tall houseplant. I loved the broad, dark-green leaves and the overall look of the plant. One unfortunate day, it got knocked over and snapped near the base. I have tried to germinate an avocado seed ever since those days, and it's like I have some curse going or something - not a single seed has sprouted! Then again, they probably need constant heat in addition to moisture in order to sprout.

I've also started lots of tomatoes indoors, then transferred them to my garden or into pots. And I've started fig plants inside too - love the rough leaves - they kind of feel like a cat's tongue.

Paul B. wrote:About 20 years ago, I had an avocado seed that sprouted in my place and grew into a 7-foot-tall houseplant. I loved the broad, dark-green leaves and the overall look of the plant. One unfortunate day, it got knocked over and snapped near the base. I have tried to germinate an avocado seed ever since those days, and it's like I have some curse going or something - not a single seed has sprouted! Then again, they probably need constant heat in addition to moisture in order to sprout.

I've also started lots of tomatoes indoors, then transferred them to my garden or into pots. And I've started fig plants inside too - love the rough leaves - they kind of feel like a cat's tongue.

Paul
I think the trick with the Avocado was patience. It took ages to germinate, but it was left there, watered when needed and I was pleasantly surprised when it emerged.

Thanks for giving me the thought of having it as a houseplant - might just do that assuming I don't accidentally kill it in the meantime

regards

Ian

About 28 years ago, when my oldest son was being born, my mother was in the waiting room, knitting, and noticed a big, beautiful potted plant growing in the corner. So, when nobody was looking, she quickly broke off a piece of the plant with the intentions of taking it home a rooting it from a cutting. When she got home and looked at it closely, she discovered it was plastic.

Howie Hart wrote:About 28 years ago, when my oldest son was being born, my mother was in the waiting room, knitting, and noticed a big, beautiful potted plant growing in the corner. So, when nobody was looking, she quickly broke off a piece of the plant with the intentions of taking it home a rooting it from a cutting. When she got home and looked at it closely, she discovered it was plastic.

We once had a fellow employee who would eat just about anything (kinda like Jethro on Beverly Hillbillies). One day we got a bunch of packing material (like packing peanuts, but shaped like spaghetti) and covered it with spaghetti sauce from the cafeteria. Crunch, crunch. After he ate some of it, we told him what it was.