Re: Robertas

lois jean · ‎06-22-2020

I have tons of flowers on my cucumber plants also but no cucumbers so far. Do these have to be hand pollinated?

esmerelda · ‎03-10-2010

@esmerelda wrote:
Two of four daisy plants from Cottage Farms last year came back. They're beautiful and ready to bloom. The other two didn't survive last summer. They were all in the same stressful area, but the sun and heat were too much for those on the front line. They went, along with at least three other plants that I bought locally. So I haven't even thought of asking for replacements.

This year I ordered the Old Glory Petchoa plants from Roberta's. They arrived in great condition and are blooming beautifully. The blue and red ones are such beautiful rich, deep colors, it almost hurts to look at them. In a good way.

Update on these flowers...

I couldn't be happier with the daisies! The two plants are so loaded with flowers, strong stems. Thrilled with them!

The Old Glory Petchoa plants are growing well, but the blue and white ones seem to be reverting back to their calibrachoa origins. Pretty individually, but doesn't make for a nice planter when those two are smaller and the red is the size of a petunia. Still enjoying them though.

*********************
Keepin' it real.

lois jean · ‎06-22-2020

Did anyone that ordered the cucumber plants from Roberta's actually see any cucumbers forming? Do they need to be pollinated by bees? I have tons of flowers but don't see any cucumbers - I have tried going online to get more infornation about this specific cucumber (Petipikel) so far no one can tell me if they need to be pollinated or not.

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

@lois jean wrote:
Did anyone that ordered the cucumber plants from Roberta's actually see any cucumbers forming? Do they need to be pollinated by bees? I have tons of flowers but don't see any cucumbers - I have tried going online to get more infornation about this specific cucumber (Petipikel) so far no one can tell me if they need to be pollinated or not.

Cucumbers in general depend on honey bees to do the job, unfortunately. If they're scarce, you will need to hand pollinate. Just be sure to differentiate between male and female blooms.

chlema · ‎05-22-2010

My Roberta's cucumber plants are doing really well. They came in a package of 2 cukes, 2 tomato and 2 eggplants. They are potted plants and are thriving on my deck. So far I have harvested at least 15 cukes with more on the way. They are a mini variety and are supposed to grow to about 6" but some of the ones I picked recently must have gotten some steroids because they rival the "regular" cukes lol. Really didn't notice many bees around them and I have done nothing to help them pollinate.

The two eggplants are loaded with some as long as 3". Since in all my 80 years I have never grown or cooked eggplant and considering these are "miniatures" I am at a loss as to when they can be harvested so I guess I'll just have to guess.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

I lucked out years ago with some Cottage Farms Chinese Lilacs which are doing great, but since then no luck with either Robertas or Cottage Farms. Much of what I bought was DOA, so I refuse to buy from QVC or HSN. I almost caved and bought a Prince Charming dwarf butterfly bush from them because nobody else had it, even the online nurseries. But, then I read the reviews and changed my mind. Luckily, the Butterfly Bush I though It lost came back from the roots.

Besides the shopping channels I do not hesitate to buy plants online. I have a lot of shade, and most of the local nurseries sell mostly stuff for sun, and the few things for shade I already have. I won't buy Hosta's from the big box stores even if they did have one I don't have due to the possibility of the HVX virus. I prefer to buy my hostas from reputable hosta-only nurseries. I have had really good luck with almost all of my online purchases execpt the ones from Q&H.

I'm trying a few veggies from seed this year in containers. It's an experiment and I don't have that much sunny space even for containers so, like someone else mentioned, I only have 1 cuke growing. I went with all compact varieties of plants that supposedly do well in containers. I have the 1 cuke, 2 patio eggplant which makes small round fruit, and 2 dwarf okra. I started them all in my Aerogarden and couldn't be more pleased with how that worked. Never had much luck with seeds in dirt. My radishes and carrots won't even germinate. Too bad I can't start them in the Aerogarde too. Now, I'm going to try growing French fillet beans in the Aerogarden rather than trasnsplanting them outside.