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| Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae) (Photo credit: Tim Waters) |
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| Species: Tropaeolum minus Family: Tropaeolaceae Image No. 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| The flower of the nasturtium plant, Tropaeolum (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Nasturtiums are grown as annuals, but no matter, they sprout and grow quite rapidly. Nasturtiums are great for tight spaces, especially the new compact varieties.
Many Nasturtiums have a vining habit and are either grown in hanging baskets or up a trellis or other support. I like the grow them up the metal poles at either end of my clothesline.
Don't worry if you plant nasturtiums in thin soil, they will actually produce more flowers that way. Dispense with the fertilizer as well, or you'll end up with huge leaves, robust vines, and hardly any flowers.
Nasturtiums grow quite quickly. Add the peppery leaves and flowers to salads or use them to flavor vinegars. If you like to experiment, the pickled seeds taste somewhat like capers, although honestly, I'd rather just buy the capers and grow the nasturtium seeds.
Have you ever grown nasturtiums? Have you ever eaten them?
i have grown them--i love them--they are so colorful---haven't tried eating them yet--beautiful pictures
ReplyDeleteI love Nasturtiums, unfortunately so do the snails that live in my yard.
ReplyDeleteMimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors
Hi Lilly, I have grown Nasturtiums in window boxes and along a concrete pathway leading up to the front porch. They are so color vibrant, intense, cheerful and while we do try to grow enough flowers that will also provide for some of our 'wild rabbits', if I remember correctly, the 'wild rabbits' leave the Nasturiums alone. I've heard they can be eaten by we humans, but I have never tried that. I'm @grammakaye on twitter.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful! I'd love to try growing them. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteHow ironic that a flower with such an interesting name is also edible. I don't think I've ever grown them but they are pretty flowers. I wonder if they can be grown in flower puts but then again even if they could, my space is not only small but restrictive. My apartment doesn't have a patio or anything like that and my windowsills are small, not wide, so they aren't very pot-friendly.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, Bamboo plants and roses were the only green things I've had in my apartment because they could go in a Vase or container on my kitchen table. Hmm...maybe that's a option for these Nasturtiums? Let's just hope my cat doesn't get to them, lol.
~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post
@MadlabPost on Twitter
Hi Nicole! I have lived in apartments like yours. All I can say is, I had to find some pretty creative solutions to grow the plants that I longed for.
ReplyDeleteNasturtiums are one of the easiest plants I know. They will happily grow in pots or even better, in hanging baskets.
Are you able to put a plant hook in the ceiling near a window? If so, you'll be in business as far as growing nasturtiums (and your cat will never reach them if they're hanging from the ceiling) Enjoy!