Fun Experiment to Grow Garlic

I love garlic (Allium sativum), especially as one of the main ingredients for most of food I cook. In the beginning of spring in 2024, I came up with my own idea to do experiment to plant it at my own garden. The idea came when I bought garlic at community market store located several blocks from where I live. Several cloves had been spreading and I thought why I did not to try to plant it in the spring, so I could harvest it in the summer?

I started to plant some cloves in the small pots filled with 3/4 of potting soil. Because of the weather was not warm enough, I decided to keep them inside the house and put it near the kitchen window, so they would still get sunshine.

They spread quickly as I watered them everyday. Then I searched online of when and how to plant garlic. I found it and it mentioned the best to plant garlic was in the fall and the harvest time was in the summer.

I was so excited to do my first experiment of planting garlic. I enclosed several pictures of garlic that I planted below.

The first planting and harvest in 2024

The second planting and harvest in 2025. The garlics size were bigger than the previous year because I used the bigger size of garlic cloves to plant.

Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Allioideae
Genus:	Allium
Species:	A. sativum
Binomial name
Allium sativum L.

Source: WikiHow

Fun Experience to Grow Hippeastrum

The common name of genus Hippeastrum is Amaryllis. 

The common name "amaryllis" has been used for Hippeastrum for years, especially for the ornamental cultivars (sold as indoor flowering bulbs around November and December, for Christmas, in the Northern Hemisphere). -- Source: Wikipedia.

For many years there was confusion among botanists over the generic names Amaryllis and Hippeastrum, one result of which is that the common name 'amaryllis' is mainly used for cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum, widely sold in the winter months for their ability to bloom indoors.

Plants of the genus Amaryllis are known as belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo, Easter lily in Southern Australia or, in South Africa, March lily due to its propensity to flower around March. This is one of numerous genera with the common name 'lily' due to their flower shape and growth habit. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily, Lilium. In the Victorian language of flowers, amaryllis means "love, beauty, and determination", and can also represent hope and achievement.^[3] -- Source: Wikipedia.

One of my husband's friends at his work gave Red Amaryllis Growing Kit as a Christmas gift in 2021 and 2022. I planted the first growing kit and bloomed successfully during winter. The second growing kit, I planted it three weeks ago. The condition of its bulb was not good. I could tell it was dying as I stored it more than one year in the car trunk, but I believed I could grow it well, just it needed more time. I was right. In more than a week, it showed the sign of life. 

I took several pictures of my Amaryllis plants last Monday, February 26 and today February 29.

Left: Amaryllis 2 years old, bloomed this month, February 2024.
Right: Amaryllis 2 weeks old. 
This photo was taken on February 26, 2024.

Taken on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Taken on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Taken on Monday, February 26 2024.

Taken on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Taken on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum reginae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Amaryllidoideae
Subtribe:	Hippeastrinae
Genus:	Hippeastrum Herb.[1][2][3]
Type species
Hippeastrum reginae (L.) Herb.[4]
Subgenera
Tocantinia (Ravenna) Nic.García Hippeastrum
Synonyms[5]
List

Source: Wikipedia

Fun Experiment to GrowTwo Sansevieria Varieties

Last year I bought two varieties of Sansevieria trifasciata plants and propagated them. My daughter brought one pot of a variety and put it in her college dorm. I gave one pot of another variety as a present to someone, and two pots of two varieties grow well at home.

At my father's flower shop years ago, he had some pots of this plant but they weren't popular as like as this time, when people found out that these plants are good as a natural air purifier because in the night, it still produces oxygen. Sansevieria plants do not need to much care. They are easy to grow. We can water them once per week. This species can grow many years in a pot and it looks nice as one of indoor plants.

The picture above shows a pot of this plant sitting at the corner of our dinning room and the picture below shows this plant was arranged as a present. I propagated them from one single plant last year, so they are special.

Source: Wikipedia

Sansevieria trifasciata in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Ruscaceae Agavaceae
Genus:	Sansevieria
Species:	S. trifasciata
Binomial name
Sansevieria trifasciata Prain., 1903

My Fifth Flower Collection

My fifth flower collection is Hibiscus kokio or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Its famous name is Hibiscus Hawaiian Punch. It is a shrub or small tree with red to orangish (rarely yellow) flowers. This endemic species is not officially listed, but considered rare in nature. When the first time I saw it at Home Depot last Wednesday, August 21, 2019, I said to my husband that it was the hibiscus I was looking for. I was so happy to get this orange color which is not many we can find it. Usually many blue or purple or pink color.

I gave this flower to my daughter as a special gift of what she already accomplishes. She reached Distinguish Honors for all semesters in 9th grade. CONGRATULATIONS, our Little Mermaid!

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Brilliant'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Hibiscus
Species:	H. rosa-sinensis
Binomial name
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Synonyms[1]
Hibiscus arnottii Griff. ex Mast. Hibiscus boryanus DC. Hibiscus cooperi auct. Hibiscus festalis Salisb. Hibiscus liliiflorus Griff. ex Mast. Hibiscus rosiflorus Stokes Hibiscus storckii Seem.

Source: Wikipedia

Fun Experiment to Grow Yard-long Bean

Couple years ago one of my good friends sent me couple of yard-long been seeds via mail. From five seeds, only two weren't crushed and one seed were a half crushed, so I decided to plant them (three seeds). Two grew well but only one plant survived because I accidentally broke the young stems on another seedling. I took care one plant till it grew very well. I was satisfied with its result. I could grow the longest yard-long bean ever. almost 60 cm or over 60 cm if I flatten it.

During its growth, I watered it once/day except it was rainy day. Mostly I used washed rice water because it is a wonderful way to conserve water. The starches from leftover rice water will help encourage beneficial soil bacteria. It also contains vitamins, especially Thiamine; and minerals. They will add small amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) to the soil and they are good for plant's growth. Thiamine was my topic in my research for mushroom's growth to get my Bachelor Degree in Agriculture with my specialist program/major in Agronomy. I also used small amount of fertilizer contained NPK, only twice during its growth to boost harvest.

Yard-long bean plant in my backyard garden, summer 2017.

The longest yard-long bean, almost 60 cm, summer 2017.

Harvest from my backyard garden, 2016.

Harvest in 2017. I brought them to Massachusetts for dinner in the Glades in summer.

Our late son showed my harvest. It was the last time he enjoyed yard-long bean.

I harvest the young leaves to make soup with coconut milk.
In Indonesia, we call the young leaves of yard-long bean is daun lembayung.
It has more nutrients than its fruits.

I cooked stir fried yard-long bean for dinner at the Glades, summer 2017.

I made Urap using yard-long bean, cabbage, and seasoned grated young coconut, summer 2018.

Yard-long bean
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Vigna
Species:	V. unguiculata
Subspecies:	V. u. subsp. sesquipedalis
Trinomial name
Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.
Synonyms[1]
Dolichos sesquipedalis L. Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) F. Agcaoili Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) Fruwirth

Source: Wikipedia

Fun Experiment to Grow Buttercrunch Lettuce

Summer this year I plant butter-crunch lettuce for the first time. I didn't grow it from the seed but bought the baby plant from Walmart for $1.50. I wanted to know what the issues I would face during my planting.

When I harvested this afternoon, I considered using a cut-and-come-again method by cutting the entire plant at the base and leaving a short stub to re-sprout; or to extend the harvest, I can pick outer leaves first an allow the center leaves to enlarge.

Harvested on Thursday, May 17, 2018

Baby slug was the main problem I faced because too much rain during this week. When flipping the leaves, I saw many baby slugs on the ground. That was why after I cut the entire plant at the base, I left a short stub to re-sprout. Then I washed the leaves in the running water. That is the best way to clean them.

Taken on Thursday, May 17, 2018

Lettuce
lettuce field
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Lactuca
Species:	L. sativa
Binomial name
Lactuca sativa L.
Synonyms[1][2]
Lactuca scariola var. sativa (Moris) L. scariola var. integrata (Gren. andGodr.) L. scariola var. integrifolia (G.Beck)

DESCRIPTION

Common Name: Lettuce Buttercrunch
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa Buttercrunch
Family: Asteraceae

Lettuce Buttercrunch, Lactuca sativa Buttercrunch, : Originating in India during ancient times, lettuce is one of the oldest, most popular salad vegetables. Buttercrunch has dark green tinted, wavy, yellow leaves, with a flattish open but tightly bunched fan-shape to each. Crisp and sweet, with a pleasant buttery taste.  The baby leaves are highly rated for salads.  A good source of vitamin A and phytonutrients. Slow bolting (running to seed). Enjoys near neutral, rich well drained soil. Whilst heat tolerant, most lettuce dislike very hot conditions and will tolerate some shade. Keep moist during growing period. Seed may be planted at 4 week intervals during the warmer months to provide a succession of this lovely salad vegetable.  70 days.

Sowing Advice

Sow lettuce seed on surface and barely cover during spring summer and autumn. Do not allow seed bed to get really dry. Thin gradually, thinnings may be used in salads. In warmer climates  plants may benefit from a few hours of afternoon shade during the hotter summer months.  Prefers rich moist, near neutral soils .  Consecutive, small plantings will give a continuous crop throughout the warmer months. 70 days.

 ~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~ 

Fun Experiment to Grow Oyster Mushroom at Home

Tadaaaaaa!

First harvest in 12 days, April 18, 2018

My husband is psychic. He gave me a Christmas gift last year a mushroom growing kit which I really wanted it long time ago. So, this is my first experiment growing oyster mushroom at home. One day I want to have an experiment to grow the button mushroom at home (It will remind me when the first time I grew the button mushroom in the real environment for my research to get my Bachelor Degree in Agriculture in 1993). 

I started to grow this oyster mushroom last Friday, April 13, 2018 by soaking the surface of the media overnight. The next day, I just put it near the window so it would get indirect sunlight. In seven days, I saw they began to grow and I could harvest them in 12 days. 

Next time I have to wait till summer because they will grow better with temperature at least in 70 degree Fahrenheit.

I will write another post about this growing mushroom when I try to grow it from other side of the box. It's really fun, isn't it?

Backtotheroots.com

Pleurotus
Source: Wikipedia
Pleurotus ostreatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Phylum:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Pleurotaceae
Genus:	Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Kumm. 1871
Type species
Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. 1871

Fun Experiment to Grow Hydrangea

This is not my first experiment. I grew Hydrangea arborescens (Annabelle) from bare root for the first time in early autumn 2005 at the front yard at our new house. In the second year the flowers started to grow. More year, more flower grew. In the third year, I had an idea to do an experiment by doing vegetative reproduction from strong stems. I planted several stems and they grew successfully. Even I grew the biggest Hydrangea ever--almost 30 cm in diameter. WOW! I cut several of the biggest flowers and dried them. I still have them now in the vase on the top of my refrigerator.

Because of that great experiment, when we moved to other renovated house in early winter 2011, I cut couple of strong stems and planted them in the pots. In early spring they grew and I transplanted them on the ground (back yard). The first year of growing, a neighbor whom we paid to cut the grass had cut them all when he was cutting the grass in our back yard. He thought they were weeds. I was very mad and almost cried. We decided not to use him anymore to cut the grass in our backyard. I could not believe it if he wasn't able to recognize the plants and the weeds, and even they grew on the neat spot that everyone would know if someone had planted them.

Anyway, I had to wait again for another year to grow. Finally, only one that could survive. I took care of it very carefully and didn't want it die because it had memory from our old house. In the following year, the flowers started to grow. Not many, only couple flowers. I was so happy! I did the several vegetative reproductions again and recently I have five beautiful Hydrangea plants.

This year is the third year of my Hydrangea growing. I enclose some pictures below of the third year of my Hydrangea. During late spring till early autumn, I always have them in the vase in my living room or dinning room. I also gave some to my neighbors. This made them so happy.

Enjoy the flowers!

First picture taken in spring (May 2017)

Second picture taken: about a week after the first picture.

 

Third picture taken: about several days after the second picture.

Third picture was taken from different angle.

Beautiful Hydrangea in the vase.

Hydrangea arborescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Cornales
Family:	Hydrangeaceae
Genus:	Hydrangea
Species:	H. arborescens
Binomial name
Hydrangea arborescens [1] L. Source: Wikipedia

Fun Experiment to Grow Sweet Basil

Sweet basil (Genovese basil) or kemangi in Indonesian, is a culinary herb I use for cooking. Last year one of my good friends from Ohio sent its seeds to me. I was so excited as several months ago for the first time I planted it. From all three small pots, all seeds grew well. As they all grew well, I could harvest their leaves and use them for cooking. The leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell. A perfect additional herb for spaghetti.

Cultivating sweet basil is not difficult. Besides daily watering, picking the dead leaves, and adding nutrition, I used to watch its leaves carefully. If its leaves have wilted from lack of water, it will recover if watered thoroughly and placed in a sunny location. Yellow leaves towards the bottom of the plant are an indication that the plant has been stressed; usually this means that it needs less water, or less or more fertilizer. The good thing of picking the leaves off the plant helps promote growth, largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems.

Because I have three small pots of sweet basil and as I love giving, I was thinking to give one pot to someone who likes cooking. One lucky person who got my gift is a VA employee who cut the grass in our backyard. He went home carrying a small pot of sweet basil on his left hand with happy face. Do you want it too? Wait next year! Hahaha! (*)

Basil

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Ocimum
Species:	O. basilicum
Binomial name
Ocimum basilicum L.

Source: Wikipedia

Fun Experiment to Grow Cosmos

I got cosmos seeds from my sister in law, Cathy, several years ago. She used to send any kind of seeds since she knew I liked gardening. Last year I planted several cosmos seeds and when they bloomed, I cut some of their good-looking flowers and displayed them in the living room.

It wasn't difficult to grow this plant and it didn't need a lot of works to take care of it. I watered with washing rice at least once per week and gave little bit of fertilizer, contained Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). I also removed faded flowers routinely so it would stimulate other new flowers blooming. If the plants grew tall, I would need staking them.

Try it and have fun!

Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Subfamily:	Asteroideae
Tribe:	Coreopsideae
Genus:	Cosmos Cav.[1]
Synonyms[2]
Cosmea Willd. Adenolepis Less. Cosmus Pers. Cosmos sect. Eucosmos Sherff Gosmos Motomi Ito, spelling variant, apparently accidental

Source: Wikipedia