17 November 2011

Higher Ground

clove sprouts

Time has been flying so fast, I thought I'd planted my clove sprouts back in the spring. According to my journal, my 20 seeds were ordered in spring, but my little sprouts from Hawaii did not arrive in Colorado until July. The seeds are not viable for long. I planted them immediately. 18 had sprouted en route.

Clove trees thrive in clay. We have plenty of that. They like a moist climate, so I water them almost every day. I photographically document their progress. I talk to them. They don't talk back. I tell them how much I enjoy watching them grow. I often crochet right next to them.

They thrive at sea level. I didn't expect eleven of my seedlings to survive at 6,000 feet. They require 55 to 75 degrees. That can be difficult to comply with in Colorado, so I'm helicopter parenting these little babies.

The tiny clove trees don't like their roots to be messed with. Actually, full-grown mature trees in Hawaii don't like their roots to be disturbed. So I've been understandably nervous about transplanting my "children," moving them out of their cradles and into more appropriate living quarters. I recently worked up the guts to move one little seedling to a real pot, a blue big boy bed, with a mix of clay and real soil. I've anxiously watched for about ten days now, hoping and praying my little tiny clove tree likes its new home.

Clay sticks unforgivably to everything but itself. I'm frightened to touch the other "kids" because the first one toppled out of his crumbling clay while I was so tenderly and lovingly moving him. I was so afraid he'd shrivel and die. But he didn't!

This little boy appears happy. Now I am summoning the courage to transplant the other 10 survivors.

UPDATE: All 11 clove trees have big boy and big girl beds now. Fingers, toes and threads crossed they all keep growing...

Will they grow?

struggling

reaching for light

Three Degrees

Cribmates

Ready to get out of the crib.

Blue Big Boy Bed

9 comments :

  1. That was just fascinating! I'm not a green thumb at all. A couple of years ago I purchased some peanut science kits for my kids. It was that same kind of excitement, of planting it in the little ball of red wool, (who knew?) and watching it sprout. We were all so excited. Unfortunately, we forgot to water it daily once it was re potted. Apparently, my kinds don't have the green thumb either. :)

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  2. Love how you've captured their growth. Very nice!

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  3. How interesting of a post...I had no idea about clove trees doing well in clay as well...quite interesting....and your photos rock again...especially that first one...it was like what is this! I had some really good clove flavored honey this year (really!) it was yummy....!

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  4. Congratulations! You are brave like my mother! She tries to grow tulips in our tropical climate. Your babies are lovely! Kisses...

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  5. Little leaves are so exciting! And big leaves are even better. Every time I thought I'd reached the last photo, there were more and better to follow.

    I love the "big boy bed".

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  6. They look like they are doing fine in your tender care :)

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  7. i had no clue to what this was. Had to google it. We call it Kryddnejlika. And we use it also. For christmas we take an orange and put the seeds into it. After a while it smells like heaven. So aromatic:) And it is a great decoration too.

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  8. Wow. I am completely fascinated by this. I'll keep my fingers crossed for them.

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  9. awed by the tall thin photo of a seedling.

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