Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India'

Tons of blooms on my nasturtium today! And lots more buds in the works. I had a tomato cage around it to keep it upright, but it doesn't seem to be growing nearly as long and leggy as the 'Jewel Mix' variety I've had previously. The cage was getting in the way of my photos, so I ditched it. 😆

Looks great 👍

Yummy

Beautiful 😍

Their leaves are all lined up facing the sun? Looks neat with all the colors. Is spring early this year?🌞

Thanks @philstalder and @sherrisgarden ! @thehardygardener I can see it being good as an ingredient in stuff, or on salads, but when I chomped a leaf by itself, blech! Too zesty for me! 😂

@sunlovin yes! Well.. mostly. They get morning sun from Stage Left, and in the afternoon they get a lot of reflected light from the wall opposite them, so actually they're turned towards the wall. 🤣 These survive the Phoenix winter, but not summer, so I started them in the fall, and they'll be dead in May. They've gotta get those blooms in while they can!

I’ve heard you can eat them but I’ve never tried before. I’m not to adventurous. Lol 😂 @beatnikcrab

Tea fir the leafs, full of vit c. The seeds are spicy, mild not hot like pepper. The flowers are vibrant in salads, more tea...

You're welcome

Wow, @thehardygardener I wouldn't have thought to make tea from it! Brilliant! Just fresh leaves and boiling water? About how many?

@philstalder I'm always tasting weird stuff that I probably shouldn't. 😂 "I think this is nightshade, but not the poisonous kind..? Probably?" as I'm nibbling on a berry. True story! 🤣 It was indeed not poisonous. Tasted like a tomatillo. Also, elephant bush leaves taste like granny smith apples, and are basically a superfood. My yard contains all the garnish for an unconventional salad, apparently! 😆

First bloom of the season! Love the intensity of the color. 😍 #grownfromseed #nophotoshop

Wow that is so vibrant. 👍

I have one of these make it threw our entire summer and is pushing threw our winter. Can't wait till it blooms so I can see which variety it is.

#bestofjanuary

❤Beautiful color❤

Thank you, @philstalder @KariSamuel and @crabby58 ! 😁 @txgardener these survive our winters, but not our summers. I think last year mine were dead by May. I don't remember where I put them, but I have some extra seeds from last spring. If I can find them do you want some? I have 'Empress of India' and also some other common variety that I got from a friend.

Me!! Pick me! I would love some! ❤❤❤

Oh, I'd love to give them a try😃

Found 'em! I've got about a baker's dozen, so anybody who wants some, send me your address at beatnikcrab@gmail.com and I'll portion them out. 😁👍 @KariSamuel @crabby58

That’s so nice of you. I appreciate the offer but I’m maxed out of space for them. 😊

Anytime, @philstalder ! I totally understand. ✌️😆

I've got these beauties as well. U need any other varieties?

My first time growing nasturtium from seed! Seeds were collected in the spring off an heirloom plant that I bought last fall (the growing season is different where I live in Phoenix, AZ. Most annuals have to be started in fall and die by late spring from the heat). I sprouted this one indoors (one successful sprout out of 3 seeds) before transplanting it outside. I planted 3 more seeds around it, but they haven't sprouted. Any advice?? I'm not having great success with the germination rate! 🤨

I’m not an expert on seeds but I hear sometimes if their not ripe enough, they won’t germinate. 🌞

@sunlovin I wouldn't doubt that for a second. Some of these nasturtium seeds were big and fat, and others were small and anemic. Actually the ones I planted directly outdoors all ended up sprouting eventually! They just took much longer to do it. I guess they had their own ideas about when conditions were ideal. They're growing slower, but stronger than the one I started indoors.

What do you do with all the babies on the back plant. 🌞

@sunlovin I drop some of them back into the same pot to root on their own, but it's so overcrowded by now! I've given a bunch to my mom a few times (both rooted & grown a bit, and unrooted), but she keeps killing them (isn't consistent enough about their care until they're established). I've been including an unsolicited handful with any plant trades I've done lately, but I still have more than I know what to do with. I was thinking I might start propagating and selling them..? 🤷🏻‍♀️