Is this a ladybug nymph?

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If you’ve been following me on my Curious Gardener journey, you’ll know that I’ve been hoping to have beneficial insects thriving in our garden. Of these, the ladybug is on the top of my list. So far, I’ve only had glimpses of this tiny beetle, a couple of times last year on my cucumber plants, and just a few months ago, feeding on aphids on my bean plants. In my heart of hearts, I’ve been hoping that they make a home here, and now, finally, I think they have!

Earlier today, I was tending to some potted plants outside our kitchen when I noticed a crazy little insect running, literally in circles, along the rim of a flower pot. From the shape of it, I thought it was a thrip. A closer squint revealed that its body was not slim and smooth, but rather bumpy and uneven. I got my friend the camera to capture the image and blow it up for me to see:

Ladybug nymph on the rim of a flower pot

Hm, I thought, that’s not a thrip… Could it be…?

I’ve heard the ladybug nymph described as looking alligator-like, and this sure looked like that! It was tiny, though – only around 5mm long – which is why it was difficult to get a good look and a clear photo of. However, I think it really is a little ladybug in the making… 8)

It even had another relative about 3 pots down doing the same thing, running along the rim of the flower pot. Interestingly, the pots contained the type of same plant – a leafy, light green syngonium.

Profile view of the studiously scuttling ladybug nymph

Boy, I sure hope they are ladybug nymphs and that they have more relatives, er, running around. I do believe they’re just one stage away from pupa-hood, and soon after that they’ll be little winged critters! I’m so thrilled!

© 2011 curiousgardener.com All rights reserved.


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How to tell when a sunflower is about to bloom

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The Early Russian sunflower's head starting to tilt to the side, showing that it's beginning to bloom

Sunflowers are really cool plants to grow. In the growing stage, they just keep producing leaves and stem, leaves and stem, repeatedly, until they reach the height they want to flower at. You can usually tell from the formation at the crest of the plant whether that cluster is of developing leaves, and when they’re changing to a flower bud (You can see the growing process at this post).

However, when the plant is too tall for you to peek at the top of it, there’s something else that can clue you in…

Firstly, you know how the top of a growing sunflower plant follows the movement of the sun from east to west every day? Yes it does! I haven’t looked early enough in the morning to see how it moves from facing westward to the rising sun, but it does move. Well, when you look at the plant in the evening and it’s tilted towards the east, you know the flower is about to bloom, because sunflowers face east when the flowers open up, and once they bloom, they stop following the sun.

And this was the scenario yesterday evening when I peered upwards at my Early Russian sunflower – it was “looking” in the wrong direction! I didn’t have a ladder handy, but the camera zoom showed me what I needed – a glimpse of folded petals just waiting to start unfurling.

Early Russian sunflower poised to bloom!

Another look today showed the head of the plant continuing its 90 degree tilt, and a better view of the petals starting to reveal the multitude of florets-to-be. Looks like I’ll get to share pictures of a giant sunflower with you after all! 8)

© 2011 curiousgardener.com All rights reserved.


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Seeds of joy

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Elongated Rudbeckia hirta seeds above, and round shiso seeds below

I had a nice break from routine yesterday when Skyfiery came to visit the Curious Garden.

It was fun giving the tour and sharing notes in person, for a change, and showing off the very plants that have been featured on this blog. Don’t all of us gardeners have some pride in our plants? 8)

Sky very kindly came bearing gifts of more seeds – and you know that getting new seeds really makes my day, so thanks, Sky! :D My new “playthings” are seeds for Rudbeckia hirta and two varieties of shiso. May I do them justice of growing them well!

Sky, it was great meeting you, finally. I realized later that I hadn’t pointed out some things, but hey, there’s always next time, and there will probably be new things to share then – hopefully some of your plants growing healthily!

© 2011 curiousgardener.com All rights reserved.


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Papayas are on the way

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Developing fruit at the bottom, blooming female flower above, and even more buds higher up - what more could a gardener want?

Be still, my beating heart… the first Red Lady papaya tree is finally doing what it’s supposed to – bear fruit! 8)

Not only is the first fruit developing – a mystery to me, since there were no male papaya flowers in our garden to pollinate it when that flower first bloomed – but the next female flower has opened, with even more flowers budding higher up on the tree.

I know that papaya trees are normally prolific fruiters, but this is special to me – grown from seeds bought from a commercial seed supplier, and a Taiwanese type, too.

No, I’ve never eaten this type of papaya before, nor am I a huge fan of papaya – I eat ‘em, but I don’t crave ‘em the way I do chocolate or my morning coffee…

The challenge of growing something new and unique simply appealed to me. And, alright, I admit the fact that it’s supposed to be sweet was also a big selling point! :P

Besides, it’s a tropical fruit, this is a tropical country, and it grows well here. So I’m happy to have them growing here.

For now, we’re keeping an eye on the developing fruit(s). I know that it takes them a few weeks to mature, so, the Red Lady papaya saga goes on…

© 2011 curiousgardener.com All rights reserved.


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