GardenGeisha

Has anyone in this group ever successfully overwintered a perennial sweet pea plant(Lathyrus latifolius) in a big pot in Zone 5, or have you known anyone who has? I have awful clay soil, so I'm afraid to transplant it in to the ground, for fear it would rot over the winter, in that bad soil. Do you think if I put the pot in an unheated motor home for the winter, the Perennial Sweet Pea would survive? Or would it be too dry inside the motor home? Should I wrap the pot to insulate it? Thanks in advance for all replies

My guess is that it would do okay in the motor home if you watered it and gave it good light.

Some orchardists use old-school Christmas lights to keep their plants warm, believe it or not. You could wrap the pot, but if you have room in the motor home, maybe try that?
Jade
Aug 24, 2010

Add Comment

Recently I bought 2 malabar spinach plants at Discount Permaculture in Portland and transported them home to Salt Lake City, Zone 5. I have them planted in a big pot by a trellis and am hoping to get them growing up the trellis fast, since it's already August 6, and our first frost is in early October, usually. Any malabar spinach growers have tips for how I can jump start these plants so they will grow to their maximum, quickly? Do they like fertilizer, and if so, what kind? Thanks for your help!

And thanks, Jade, for telling me about this cool forum, and for suggesting that I might be able to find the malabar spinach plants at Discount Permaculture. That was a great tip!!!
GardenGeisha
Aug 06, 2010

Discount permaculture is great. The URL (for anyone else interested) is: http://www.discountpermaculture.com)

I don't know that much about the climate there, but here are a few links you might find useful:

People's experiences with Malabar Spinach:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1318/

http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/malabarspinach

It sounds like the frost will kill it back for you. Since they're in a pot, I'm guessing you're planning to bring it inside in the winter?

I'm asking around to see if anyone else has more specific advice on fertilization etc.. I'd probably use diluted urine, but not everyone is into that.
Jade
Aug 09, 2010

Let me know if that helps. Anyone else have any advice?
Jade
Aug 11, 2010

Hi, Farmer Jade,

Thanks for the tip. How would you make diluted urine? What proportion of water to urine?

The malabar spinach is starting to grow. It's not growing as fast as I had thought, but it's only going to be 81F here today, so it's not as hot as it likes.

I'm wondering whether I might have gotten malabar spinach bushes instead of vines? Does anyone know how to tell the difference?

The hummers are sure enjoying my Firecracker Vine blossoms!
GardenGeisha
Aug 12, 2010

I've heard 1 part urine to 4 or 5 parts water. Let us know how it goes!
Jade
Aug 12, 2010

Add Comment