Dwarf cape gooseberry and general update - thoughts?

[md0u80a2]

Hi

Well I bought dwarf cape gooseberry seeds from a cottge seed company and sowed in feb in heated propagator. Didn't do much after two leaf stage and kind of stopped caring as all the exciting new seeds sprang to life in March.

However, one shot up. I kept potting it on without realising what i was doing - mixed in with all the rest, but I suddenly clicked today and pulled it from the cold frame - it is 12 inches tall, covered in flowers and there are 7 small cape gooseberries forming - I am so chuffed! I have 5 more that just came as plugs from dobies, but dont care now - so excited to taste my own grown from seed!

Meanwhile, I wanted to get your thoughts on my other growings on...

My tomatoes fall in to three main groups - some 100 and 1000s for a hanging basket, that are 12 inches tall, so tomato cherriola for a grow bag, which are the same and some tomato totem for pots which are about 6 inches. I am hardening all of them off for planting out in the next 2 or 3 weeks - does that seem right?

I have a tray full of bean - goldfied, blauhide and bortelli that are all doing well - really good germination rates. Will start hardening off in a week or 2.

My sweetcorn are doing really well. Incredible, and that they are. 100% germination rate and they are all now between 8 and 10 inches - they are in those 3 and a bit inch square module trays, with a couple of roots poking out the bottom. Will they make it in those pots until planting out time? Don't really have the space to pot on undercover!

I have a variety of squashes, courgettes, etc that are doing really well, but not sure where I will put them

The thing I am struggling with are peppers and aubergines. I just cant get them to work. I must have tried 8 varieties and sown from jan to April. They are either stopping at a small stage or growing really well and then stopping after potting on or other such combinations. Last year I bought two B and Q plugs of aubergine and got no where and didnt do much better with peppers. I am destined to fail outdoors with these?

Anyway, that is me?

Thoughts?

Morris

[zazen999]

Hi

Where are you in the UK? Pop it into your profile as the advice will change depending on your location.

Are you growing inside or out, greenhouse - polytunnel - allotment - sheltered garden - etc etc - give us some info about how you are growing and people might be able to assist. How are you trying to germinate them? Do they germinate and die off or not germinate at all?

[TonyF]

As Andrea said, more information about location and conditions would be helpful - but cape gooseberries at this time of year is way too early, are you growing them in heat and forcing them?

[md0u80a2]

Hi

I am based in Manchester

During Feb - april, I was germinating indoors in a sunny room in a heated propogator. I switched heat off in Mid april for any seeds as I lost a load to dehydration.

I move them on into my porch when potted on which essentially in a greenhouse.

thats what I did for cape gooseberry - will try and post a pick as I am confused!

Morris

[gojiberry]

Location and position will play a big pert in what to do next. I know I am a bit further south but beans and sweetcorn have all been put out on the allotment now. Some people are still giving a little bit of protection against the cool winds, but generally they are both doing well outside. Tomatoes have also been planted outside but under net cloches. My tomatoes are in their final growing place now and really taking off now. Hold back on the squashes as they don't like even the slighest bit of cold. Well done on the cape gooseberry.

Ian

[rob the roller]

That's a pretty good result for Cape Gooseberries. Mine, started about 2 weeks after yours, are at least a month behind. How many seedlings did you start with, and what is the variety?