‘Spitfire’ Nasturtiums and Purple Peppers
by Colleen Vanderlinden • June 5, 2010 • Miscellaneous • 9 Comments
I am a timid container gardener. My friend Kerry Michaels, who is the container gardening guide for About.com, designs these gorgeous, creative containers that make me just want to get out and pot something up. But when I get the chance, you can pretty much bet on the fact that there will be one type of plant per pot: a pot of petunias, a pot of mesclun, a pot with a tomato plant in it.
And then I got the seeds from Renee’s Garden for the ‘Spitfire’ nasturtium seeds we’re growing for the seedGROW project. And while I was very excited (I had been coveting this particular nasturtium for a while, and voted for them without a second thought) part of me was hesitant. What, exactly, would I do with them? My first thought was to maybe train them up a trellis, after all, they’re called “climbing nasturtiums.” But then a few people mentioned that they were really pretty as trailers in a container. Hm. So then, I thought of just doing a pot of ‘Spitfires’ on my front porch. I have a really pretty blue glazed pot, and was already imagining the way the orange blooms would look against the dark blue. I love that combination.
But I am going all out this time. I am actually growing two types of plant in one pot! (Kerry is laughing at me right now. I know it… 
) I decided at planting time to put a ‘Purple Beauty’ bell pepper in the center of the container, and let the nasties grow and spill over the edges of the pot.
It doesn’t look like much now, but I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes from here on out. My ‘Spitfires’ had a bit of a rough start. I sowed the seed in our little freestanding plastic greenhouse outside, and then promptly forgot about them. But they sprouted, and they grew with absolutely no help from me — that, in and of itself, is a testament to the toughness of these plants. My seedlings are about four inches tall now, and are filling out pretty nicely now that they’re in a nice big pot with good soil. They’re growing in organic potting soil, and have been fed once a week for the last two weeks with TerraCycle All Purpose “worm poop” fertilizer as a foliar feed.
I’m growing Nasturtium “Spitfire” for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee’s Garden for the seeds
Ooh, as impressive as your planting combo is (;-0) I love the pot itself the best. In my containers class, I do show photos of pots with just one plant and tell people to do what they want! But, where did you get the TerraCycle? The garden dude at my local HD (which used to carry it) had no idea what I was even talking about. I even made him check his order ist and it’s not on there any more. But I need me some of that!
Monica — LOL To tell the truth, I’m counting on that pot looking good enough that everyone will ignore the plants if it turns out looking bad
I found like 5 bottles of the Terracycle on super clearance (I think they were 89 cents per bottle) at my local HD — they’re not carrying it anymore either. I’m glad I bought them all up!
I saw your comment (um, somewhere) about yellowing nasty leaves–that’s completely normal and happens to all nasties. I pull mine off but they fall off ont heir own, too.
Bummer about HD, but glad you’ve got reserves. I love TerraCycle! The website only lists HD as a source… am I going to have to email them?!
They’re going to get going in no time at all and surprise the heck out of you.
really, that was a fab idea for that container! It’s going to look super cool when those peppers start turning with the color of the nasties and that blue pot!
Nice combo Colleen! I love the blue pot. Your nasties look happy and healthy.
Love your container garden splurge, two whole plants per pot. Funny about the Terracycle because I had been looking for it. Good to know that I’m not crazy and they were at one point carrying it.
I also use TerraCycle (I stocked up last year, so still have plenty). I found it in the back of the seasonal gardening section at Target. I don’t know if they still carry it.
Your nasturtiums are probably lookin a lot better by now. I’m behind with all my visits to everyone involved with this grow project. My only nasturtium is in a pot with a black-eyed Susan vine, I’m letting both trail out and down instead of vine up and over. We’ll see what transpires over the course of the season. I’m not very impressed with ‘Spitfire’ so far.
That looks awesome! We haven’t tried planting 2 plants in a pot yet, but this has inspired us to do so.