Survival

Took a few pics of my plants just now. The growth is progressing well; at least I think it is.

Noticed something very subtle yet important.

See how the sprouts are all tilted to the right?

Obviously survival is the instinct of all things living. The window is on the right of the growbox where light comes in. So all the sprouts naturally grow towards that area, reaching with their might to get more light.

Well, that aside, I do have to deal with something about my seed germination that I’m unsure of.

I have 2 sprouts in each netpot

I probably can’t grow 2 butterhead lettuce in each netpot. So I think I’ll have to pull out one of them. Sigh.. Should I prepare another growing box and transplant it over? Seems like such a waste to do that. Time to think..

Growing…

The seed germination seem to be doing okay so far. Here’s the picture of the first seedling taken this morning about 32 hours since I spotted it.

Grown at least 1 cm since.

Most of the seeds from the other netpots have started sprouting as well, with the exception of one. Hope will see something when I get back from today. Here are a few other pictures.

2 sprouted.

Another single seed sprout

Homemade Pineapple Tarts

Peiwen went over to her colleague place last Saturday to learn how to make pineapple tarts. Then the next day on Sunday, armed with the one time experience we attempted our own pineapple tarts.

First we cook the grated pineapples. Stir and stir.

After a long time. Stir and stir. See it dry up?

After a long long time. Paste browned due to caramelization of the sugars. Done

Mould to shape the dough

Dough from the mould

Shape the edges a some clipper like thing. Supposed to make the pastry nicer due to more surface area during baking.
Nicely shaped.

Roll the pineapple paste ball shaped and put on pastry.

And to the oven it goes.

And after that, it’s all done. As simple as that.

A seed has germinated!!!

A seed has successfully germinated!!! Discovered it about 11 pm just now after watching tv.

See that ONE tiny leaf sprouting!

I’m seriously elated right now! Here’s a flashback on the timeline.

26th Jan 2008, 12 Midnight : Started the system.
27th Jan 2008, All Day : Check on net pot … nothing (definitely won’t germinate so fast, just pushing my luck )
28th Jan 2008, 5pm : Check on net pot … nothing (I was on leave afternoon, that’s why I’m home at 5pm)
28th Jan 2008, 11pm : Casually check on net pot.. spotted something. One seed germinated!

Wonder if I’ll see more sprouting out when I wake up tomorrow morning. Really looking forward to it… Wish me luck.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (CNY) is coming. What’s CNY without some fancy festive decoration especially since it’s the first for my new home.

One at the door.

Ensemble on the wall

And lanterns as well

Just some simple deco to bring the home into the CNY mood.