Sunflower - Update

First more details- Planted 8-10, Black Russian Variety from the ECHO seed bank, Ft. Myers in early May.  All but one sprouted and grew well. They reached about  3-4 feet. Blossums about 8" in diameter.
Now they're bowing their heads. The yellow petals are falling.
In theory, this is when you just let them sit as they dry out. The seeds, in the center hidden under all the pollen and fun stuff the bees love, will swell but will eventually dry out and will slide out as you pick at them lightly.
However, in my earlier post, I explained I had tried these in a planter that catches the run off from a flat roof. They have been a lovely site out the back window. But, if you live in South Florida with me, you know we're getting at least a little rain every day. It's September, that's what happens. So today I inspected the heads of forming seeds. At least two look to be overcome with mildew. I will wait it out and see how it turns out.
Also I am going to plant additional 8-10 tomorrow. I'm thinking the rainy season of the month with allow for good growth. But the dry season should be taking over, just as the heads bow down and want to dry out.  We'll see.

Grapes

The grapes are ripening. They are a lovely shade of purple-blue but the size of large blueberries.

First recipe trial will be a grape pie. (Thanks Krista's Mom for the recipes!)  After that we'll see if we might be up for Jam.

They are time intensive and my fingers are seriously stained but I'm excited.  There must be thousands- Not that I'm counting.

Sunflowers

We don't commonly have rain gutters in Miami.  Mostly we just let the rain fall.  We can take it and nothing can kill a crab grass lawn anyway. Tropical plants like water or they wouldn't live here.  Many houses have barrel tile on the roof.  It does not lend itself to a gutter.  Many of the older houses (old is used loosely since there isn't much here that is old really) have flat roofs since we don't have to worry about the weight of a snow fall.
But I have a flower bed that the rain slides off the mostly flat roof and directly in the bed. This was okay for the bushes that were originally planted there. It has often provided a great collection spot for a rain barrel. But the bushes were a haven to one of the many species of insects we have gotten to know too well. They had a fungus of some sort, common in our humid climate and they just looked ugly.
As I tear them out I'm experimenting with what edible plants will be able to with stand the down pour that will slide off the roof on them. First try, sunflowers (purchased from ECHOnet.org.) So far they are loving it! They germinated within 3 days (I'm not kidding.) They're about a foot high and they've been taking the rain as often as God wants to send it.  I'm excited because this bed is directly below a large window. Sunflowers will be nice to see.

Check out ECHO. Located in Ft. Myers, ECHO is on a mission to eliminate hunger, in all types of climates, through a seed bank, education, experimenting, conferences and general exchange of knowledge.  If you can make it there, take their 'world farm' tour and see the exhibition gardens. You'll be impressed and inspired. You can support them through donations, purchases from the seed/book/supply store and nursery.

Ooh Grapes!

It's a fence full of grapes in Miami. When we moved in a few years ago, we were blessed by the previous owner's green thumb and love of good food, particularly food from Greece.  Beside this fence vine, we have figs, kumquats & bay leaves.

However, grape vines were intimidating. The first few years, I did nothing. But two years ago, I read up on pruning. As it turns out, it's a two year process. The vine 'fruits' upon 1 year old wood.  This means you need to have planned the pruning to allow for such 1 year old wood for the fruit the following year.

Looks like I managed to prune it well because there is an abundance of clusters. I have no idea what type of grape it is yet nor do I know when it will ripen.  I've tried to thin a few of the clusters.  They seem bunched too tightly to ripen well.

I have met a neighbor with a grapevine and stopped to ask his advice. However, he only grows them for the leaves. At least I have plenty to share. We'll see if they taste good enough for him. 
If all goes well, I'll post later in the season with results.

Some of the websites I've been looking for advice;

Florida Grape Growers Association
http://www.fgga.org/index.html
Wouldn't it be fun to try wine making?  Well maybe fun- maybe a pain in the neck, we'll see.
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/riparia.asp
The University of Florida Online Extension site
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg105

Who knew Coconuts were so Versatile? the Samoans

From the National Park of American Samoa, our tropical cousins...

June 1, 2010        by Pacific Island Ranger

A coil of sennit, hand-woven from coconut husk fibers at the National Park of American Samoa. The coconut is the most useful of all plants in American Samoa.  The tree provides a wide range of useful products, and nearly all its parts except its roots are used.

Meat of the green nut is eaten raw or grated and used as a basic ingredient in a number of dishes. Grated coconut, when compressed..... Read the post
http://pacificislandparks.com/2010/06/01/its-just-a-coconut-right/

Starting Pineapples

This is what a pineapple top looks like when taken hold and beginning new growth.
Note the leaves of the pineapple top will die off as the new growth emerges from the inside.

How do your potatoes grow?

The potato seedlings that were planted at the beginning of April are pretty much done. The leaves are all brown and no potatoes developed at the roots.
I didn't try them during this month before.
Has anyone had success with potatoes at this time of year?