Annuals

[jackb]

I find that dwarf varieties of annuals are good choices for indoor growing. The calendula in the photo was started from seed about eight weeks ago. Other dwarf annuals I like to grow indoors are: zinnias, cosmos dianthus and marigolds.

[JJohansen]

"jackb":

I love your photos and the "idea" you have provided. I "garden all year" in that if a gardener is not taking care of live plants, they're cutting dead plants, amending the soil, planting bulbs, etc. Although I have many varieties of perennial plants established in the "good old earth", I also garden in all types of plant containers. However, I never thought of bringing "outside" plants into the house in this way.

I do have a few questions:

• What is your winter daylight "regime" and do you find you have to provide supplemental lighting to the plants to ensure that they flower? If so, what type of bulb do you use relative to wattage, spectrum, etc.?

• Do you find that the plants require more "fertilizer" while trying to cultivate them during the winter? If so, do you simply add a soluble household plant fertilizer to the water you apply to the plants?

• Do you find that the plants require more water while being cultivated indoors? In addition to "direct watering", I would also be interested in knowing if there are any varieties of plants which you would recommend for an occasional "misting"?

Thanks for the great idea!

[jackb]

I am glad you like the photo and idea. I garden actively 365 days a year, hydroponically. Indoors under lights in December, January and February and in a greenhouse from March through November. Presently I have lettuce, oriental greens and several flowers under cultivation. Spacemaster cucumbers have been started, and will be planted in a week or so. The lights are T5 6400K fluorescent and 90 watt red/blue LED lamps.

The lighting cycle is 16 hours per day and I make no adjustments for flowering plants, either in lighting or nutrient levels.

I do not mist plants indoors, as there is no need to when growing hydroponically.

My three year old granddaughter, Ava, loves to help and she wanted to start a bulb with my lettuce. She was thrilled with the results, but thought the Paperwhite Narcissus smelled like medicine. I agree, it does.

If you would like to know more about hydroponics for indoor gardening you might check out my blog: Hydroponic Workshop

Here is Ava's bulb. It has been flowering for several days now.