Clearing space

It's been raining quite a bit lately which means the snow is melting away nicely. Last sunday was one of the first days when it really felt like spring is coming. The plants have grown a bit longer since the last group photo was taken 2 weeks ago. I cleared some more room for them on the window still by giving away the extra sprout I had growing in a juice box. Just couldn't throw it away since it sprouted so nicely. One of the Bolivian Rainbows looks like it might be producing its first flower buds so the next update might be about that.

Winter again?

Winter has made a comeback during the past weekend. Just when it was looking that spring might finally arrive in the cold north we get 10-15cm of fresh snow. The plants have been busy branching out but could really use more of that warm spring sun we had. I may be over watering the scorpion again as it dropped one leaf.

April fools

Or a fool in this case for trying to grow too many plants on the small space reserved for them. Seeing that much snow outside on April doesn't really encourage you to move the plants on the balcony anytime soon. Chichen Itza keeps flowering strong with no pods yet, Trinidad Scorpion has started to spread out and has a few more flowers. Both Bird's Eye and Bolivian Rainbow sprouts are growing stronger and some of them have started pushing side branches which is something I've expected from the more "bushy" variations. Prairie Fire sprouts are still comfortably in the yogurt cups and currently growing their second patch of leaves.

Steady progress

Nothing drastic to report on the growth front, steady progress on all the plants so far. Chichen Itza keeps flowering strong and even the Trinidad Scorpion which seemed to be dying has produced two flowers to annoy me and keep its spot on the sunny window still. The plant is still the same size as when I got it so something is still not quite right. First overview picture of the window still looking full, it will hopefully have some more grow space once it gets warm enough to move some of the plants to the balcony.

Yogurt cups

Small update to illustrate the replanting process and the idea behind growing my sprouts in yogurt cups. The sprout was given some water one day before to keep the soil from crumbling away. This particular plant had grown roots going down on all sides which is the reason I wanted something I could cut open instead of having to try and get the plant out of the pot using a fork or a spoon. Compact size is another definite plus of this method.

Changing pots

My second Bolivian Rainbow sprout found its way into a larger pot today. The soil I used this time is more peat based "seed and sprout mix" which should be better for the plant. One of the Bird's Eye Baby sprouts looks to be ready to be moved as soon as I figure out a spot for it on the sunny window still.

Chichen Itza keeps flowering strong with 28 flowers the last time I counted them and both of the Prairie Fire plants have emerged from the soil.

Temptations

One of the Bolivian Rainbow sprouts moved into a proper flower pot after I had fallen into temptation and bought Prairie Fire seeds from the supermarkets fruit&vegetable seeds -stand. "No, I don't have room to grow them" reasoning lasted for about 2 days before the seeds found their way into dirt. Maybe I am a bit addicted but then again I'm only growing 3 variations and the two gifted ones.

Prairie Fire (C. annuum): Small and ornamental pepper that is ideal for window stills or growing on your patio. The plant gives plenty of small peppers that go from yellow to red when fully ripe. Seeds planted March 1st, first sprout visible on the 11th.