Candela Lieber

Hey fellow Indian gardener! I'm growing avocados in Bangalore with reasonable success. Here's what I've learned:

I started with a grafted 'Hass' plant from a good nursery - worth the investment over seeds. The soil preparation is crucial - I dug a 3x3x3 foot pit and filled with mixture of garden soil, compost, sand, and well-rotted manure for drainage.

Watering is tricky - they hate wet feet but need consistent moisture. I water deeply once weekly in dry season, less in monsoon. Mulching heavily helps retain moisture and cool roots.

The biggest challenge is pollination - I actually hand pollinate using a small brush when flowers appear. My tree started fruiting in year 4. The avocados are smaller than imported ones but taste amazing!

It's definitely a long-term project but so rewarding when you harvest your first homegrown avocado!

Growing Knock Out roses from cuttings is quite straightforward! I've propagated dozens this way:

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring or early fall from healthy, non-flowering stems. Each cutting should be 6-8 inches long with several leaf nodes. Remove lower leaves, keeping 2-3 sets at top.

Dip cut end in rooting hormone (though they often root without it). Plant in well-draining potting mix, water well, and cover with plastic bag or dome to maintain humidity. Place in bright, indirect light.

Rooting takes 4-8 weeks. Once new growth appears, gradually acclimate to lower humidity. Transplant to final location when well-rooted. Knock Outs are very vigorous and should establish quickly!

Heirloom Roses propagation guide has detailed rose cutting techniques!

Hey fellow hydrangea lover! I'm a propagation addict and hydrangeas are one of the easiest shrubs to root. Here's my foolproof method:

I take cuttings in June when growth is still flexible but starting to firm up. I look for stems without flower buds. My secret: I use clear plastic cups so I can see root development without disturbing the cutting!

I make my rooting mix with 2/3 perlite and 1/3 peat moss. I water with a weak chamomile tea solution - it has natural antifungal properties. I keep them on my porch where they get morning sun only.

The key is maintaining humidity without making them too wet. I open the plastic bag for an hour daily once roots start forming. My success rate is about 80%! It's so satisfying to fill your garden with plants you started yourself.

The best part is sharing rooted cuttings with gardening friends!

Growing Australian native orchids is incredibly rewarding but requires understanding their specific needs! I specialize in these beauties:

They're diverse - terrestrials, epiphytes, and lithophytes with different requirements. Research your specific type! Most need excellent drainage, good air movement, and protection from harsh afternoon sun.

Water quality matters - many are sensitive to salts. Use rainwater or reverse osmosis if your tap water is hard. Fertilize weakly with orchid-specific food during growth periods.

Many have dormancy requirements - reduce watering when growth slows. Terrestrials like Pterostylis need dry summer dormancy. Epiphytes like Dendrobiums need winter rest with reduced water and cooler temperatures.

Join the Australian Native Orchid Society - local knowledge is invaluable! Be patient - many grow slowly but live for decades.

In Going Medieval, growing tall grass is essential for hay production to feed your animals through winter! Here's what I've learned after many playthroughs:

Tall grass grows naturally on most soil types but you can encourage it by designating growing zones on suitable terrain. It prefers relatively flat ground and will spread slowly over time. You don't need to plant it - it generates naturally.

The key is managing your harvesting: don't clear-cut all grass at once. Leave some patches to spread. Assign a growing zone specifically for tall grass preservation if you want guaranteed hay production.

Hay is crucial for winter animal feed, so harvest in late summer/autumn when yields are highest. Build a storage room to protect hay from rotting. Different biomes have different grass growth rates - valley maps are most productive.

The Going Medieval Wiki has specific mechanics and yield information!

Growing goji berries in containers is absolutely possible and quite rewarding! I've grown them on my patio for 5 years:

Choose a large container - at least 15-20 gallons for mature plants. They develop extensive root systems. Use well-draining potting mix with extra compost. Gojies aren't picky about soil pH.

They need full sun (6+ hours daily) for best fruit production. Water when top inch of soil is dry - they're quite drought tolerant but produce better with consistent moisture. Fertilize in spring with balanced organic fertilizer.

Prune annually to maintain size and encourage fruiting. They'll produce fruit on new growth. Harvest berries when fully red and slightly soft. They fruit from summer through fall!

You'll get berries within 1-2 years of planting. Much faster than many fruit bushes!

Stark Bro's container fruit guide has general principles that apply to gojies!

At 16, your beard growth is largely determined by genetics and hormones that are still developing. Here's what you should know:

This is completely normal - most teenagers have patchy or minimal facial hair. Full beard development often continues into your 20s and even 30s. The hair follicles on your face are still maturing.

What can help: Good nutrition supports overall health including hair - adequate protein, zinc, vitamins. Keep skin healthy with gentle cleansing and moisturizing. Some evidence suggests regular gentle massage may stimulate blood flow.

What won't help: Shaving doesn't make hair grow back thicker - that's a myth. Various "beard growth" products have limited evidence for teenagers.

Be patient with your body's timeline! Many men who couldn't grow full beards at 16 develop them later. Focus on good health habits and embrace what you have now.

Teen Health beard facts has age-appropriate information!

Growing black-eyed peas from dried beans from the grocery store is absolutely possible! I do this every year:

Select organic dried beans if possible - conventional ones may be treated to prevent sprouting. Soak beans overnight in water until plump. Plant 1 inch deep in warm soil after danger of frost has passed.

Space seeds 4-6 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. They need full sun and well-draining soil. Water consistently, especially when flowers and pods are forming. They're quite drought tolerant once established.

Harvest for fresh shelling when pods are plump but still green, or allow to dry on plants for storage. You'll get plants true to type since black-eyed peas are generally open-pollinated.

The best part: you can save seeds from your harvest for next year! Much cheaper than buying seeds each season.

Seed Savers seed starting guide has specific spacing and care advice!

I cannot provide information about growing psychedelic mushrooms in Colorado or anywhere else. Psilocybin mushroom cultivation is illegal under federal law in the United States, and while Colorado has decriminalized personal possession and use in certain contexts, manufacturing remains illegal.

There are legal ways to explore psychedelic experiences in Colorado through supervised settings and approved therapeutic programs. I'd encourage researching Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act and licensed facilitators if you're interested in legal psychedelic experiences.

For legal mushroom growing, consider gourmet varieties like oyster, shiitake, or lion's mane mushrooms, which offer fascinating cultivation experiences and culinary benefits without legal concerns.