Just a few moments ago, I had my bi-weekly urge to water the strawberry plant that has grown more and more neglected as summer continues. At the beginning of the season, I was inspired by a former suitemate to grow my own fruit. Aubrey was stoked to bring a small plant from her New York-based strawberry forest backyard and keep it on her Maryland-based balcony. It continues to feed her, as far as I know.
I decided I would grow my own little seedling from the non-molding remains of a strawberry that I found at the bottom of a store-bought package. If I could grow just ONE strawberry, I thought, it will have made up for the yucky one that we bought. (The same experiment was begun with a blueberry.) That was about three months ago. It seemed reasonable to have something that might feed you after you raised it from infancy, which is how I imagine child-rearing works.
However, I don't want children yet. Yugh. I once had a dream that I had a baby, but Mum had to raise it, due to my incompetence. So, the child called her Mommy and me Grandma. I was disappointed that it didn't know who I really was, and I think that's how I would feel if my parents got another dog while I'm in college (dogs being preferred to babies, and strawberries being preferred to both when I'm hungry).
The strawberry plant started REALLY well. It's very tall, and even had to be transplanted. (This is the proud, maternal side.) But as it now becomes increasingly shrivelled (and blueberry plant nonexistent), I wonder if it will ever produce just ONE little berry. I think this is comparable to me leaving my hypothetical child in a nursery and hoping she photosynthesizes. There is little chance she will feed or nurse me when I'm old and inept.
Perhaps I should work on this motherly instinct/ my memory in general. I think it's indirectly linked to strawberry-and-eventual-self-preservation. But until then, I'll just go to the grocery store and buy fruit there.
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Wow, I'm mentioned again (okay, last time you actually mentioned my colander, but I still feel important). I am really impressed that you actually grew a plant from a rotten strawberry. As you know, I grew my little potted plant from a smaller plant that I dug up out of my parents' yard. I had much better odds. But, I feel that you should know that strawberry plants normally only produce berries in June, possibly through early July. If your strawberry plant has green leaves (meaning it is not dead) it is probably perfectly healthy even though it is not producing berries. It is highly unusual for strawberries to grow in August.
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