some notes

Came across info on growing potatoes, realized my failure last year probably wasn't all due to bugs. Potatoes are a cool-weather crop. When I bought my slips, I picked varieties that sounded good, not thinking about my season. I may have planted them too late, I definitely didn't choose a variety that would do better in the heat, and I should have tried growing them in fall. Heat stress may have made them succumb to the insects faster.

Some of my plants have died: all the rosemary I tried to start. Not surprised. My aloe vera. I had moved it into a sunnier spot, but it was out of view on the opposite side of a shelf. Forgot to water or pay attention to it. All droopy and brown. Tossed on the compost. My third group of creeping charlie cuttings. I didn't change the water often enough and the stems got moldy. The older plant in our front room is looking a bit pale, I've moved it back from the window. The one in my upstairs bedroom is doing very nicely. Its stems are reddish, unlike the others. Does this have to do with the light exposure? It gets the same water.

On a good note, it looks like the bugs are vanquished on my rue cuttings. I check it every few days, have several more times dabbed off the tiny bugs. Last time I only found two, and then none. My stevia has come through the winter fine! It has more new leaves and they remain healthy.

I started another small tray of sweet basil, since I have so few.

I had to lower the water level in the 20H. Two shrimps got into the fry box. They were hidden in the subwassertang, picking super speed at stuff to eat. I noticed their waste first- lots of it. Netted the shrimp out, siphoned out their mess. They must have crawled over the top. I made sure the water level is at least a quarter inch below, and they haven't got in again yet. My little cories have definitely doubled in size now. Will take pictures soon.