8 Gallon Day One

7.9 Gallon tank
Black Diamond blasting sand
Finnex PX 360 canister filter
Osmocote Plus capsules
Kent Pro Series Pro-Plant
CO2

Micro Sword, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Ludwigia Dark Red
Dwarf Baby Tears, Hemianthus callitrichoides
Anubias Nana Petite
African water fern, Bolbitis heudelotii

Trailing vegetables and update on previous experiments

Today I began an experiment. I have a bunch of those coir lined hanging baskets. I planted green peas in them.  Would like to see if they do as well trailing down as they do growing up a trellis.

Update on the avocado seed experiment from my previous post. Using the water beads was an utter failure. Not sure why but the seeds never made roots. I have rooted many avocados using the toothpick method and also from just floating in water. Perhaps some chemical in those water beads prevented it from working.

Update on strawberry ball. It was great! Looked beautiful and produced many berries. However, being afraid of keeping the strawberry plants through Winter I planted them in the ground last fall in a little raised bed. They seem happy there and have even made baby plants.

Avocado seed experiment

I have grown avocados from seed many times over the years with much success. Usually using the toothpick method. This experiment is trying to root them standing in a bed of water beads instead of poking them. I soaked the seeds in water for a week and finally got the water beads today. The beads have now been soaked and swollen. I placed them in tiny plastic containers that I picked up at the Dollar Tree resting the avocado seeds atop them with what should be sprout side up. Now just to wait and see if roots appear.
*crosses fingers*

Raised bed day 1

I built a cinder block raised bed with a temporary chicken wire top to keep my cats out of it until the seeds come up. I planted it today. A mixture of plants and seeds. Vegetables, herbs and beneficial flowers. It is 5 1/2 feet by 6 3/4 feet.