From the hot tub... well, hot jam jar

I ended up putting about six apricot stones in the jam jar, and a particularly pointed avocado stone. I meant to leave them in for a few days, but it ended up being a couple of weeks. It has been very, very hot here, so I haven't had the will power for a lot, and they have been gently simmering on a hot kitchen windowsill.

The apricots I took outside and broke open the stones with a hammar. Apparently for stoned fruit you need to get into the kernel inside. This was mixed sucess, as in having to wack the stones hard to crack them, I ended up breaking or mashing most of the kernels inside. I managed to get two out in one piece. I don't know what would have happened if I had tried this without a soak first. I have planted the whole and slightly broken kernals in a pot which I'm leaving outside because it's hot everywhere so I don't think they're going to freeze at the moment.

The avocado stone I have pinned up for the jam jar and water method. I am calling this one Mick II because it seems a tragedy that I should be growing the stones, and have Keith and Charlie (leaved up and away) and Ronnie (still doing nothing) but no Mick!

Let's face it, we'd all be disappointed if this website had uploaded the photograph the right way up.

Apricots

Keith Mossman has nothing to say about apricots. I was eating one this morning, and left with the kernel, I got to wondering.... well, as this will be a bit more of an experimentation, and the apricot nut does come in a hard shell, I am starting out with the same advice he gives for avocados and peachs. Soak the nut for 48 hours.

So here is an apricot stone in a jam jar of water. Exciting days.

Although I have it standing up straight in the kitchen... nevermind...

Avocados are enjoying the heat

Both Keith and Charlie are growing away, clearly this crazy heat isn't a problem. Keith's leaves are growing, and whilst Charlie doesn't seem to be growing as vigourously tall as Keith did, he is already sprouting leaves in advance of me needing to prune the first stalk....

This is Keith. Obviously I am not growing him on the ceiling, it's just that the photo upload on this website continues to take the mick. Take the mick... maybe this is Mick's revenge for me having to throw him out???

And this is Charlie....

For some reason Charlie is allowed to stand up correctly.