Aaron 2012 log

[Jack in NB]

Aaron -

That soap really works!

I think the eggs take 5 or 6 days to hatch out, so keep looking for the next generation.

I had em last year, and a couple of applications of soap got most, then I followed a week later with two more. End of aphids.

Like John's aphids, mine seemed to concentrate on the tender young shoots and flower buds at the top of the plants.

No more so far this year.

A friend brought some leaves in for me last year, absolutely loaded with aphids. Most washed off before I dried and kilned them, and the ones I missed didn't seem to affect the taste....!

 

[Aaron]

I'm thinking it's time for me to start considering what I will do if I get an early frost this year. I started late this year so I'm going to be pushing my luck getting my crop done before we get a frost. More specifically, I'm worried about trying to get seed from some of my plants. At this point none of my plants have started to flower. In my area the first frost is usually in the first two weeks of October. That gives me 6-8 weeks, if I'm lucky, left to harvest. I was wanting to try to let one each of my bigger plants go to seed. I'm wondering if any of you have had any experience with protecting seed heads from frost and if the seeds remained viable. Or, should I get that hope of getting seeds out of my head and just start topping when they are ready?

 

[deluxestogie]

...should I get that hope of getting seeds out of my head and just start topping when they are ready?

Yes. If the blossoms had already faded, and the pods were beginning to form, you probably still wouldn't have enough time. Cutting the pod heads prematurely usually leads to immature, non-germinating seeds.

Bob

 

[Aaron]

Thanks Bob! I was thinking that was probably the case. I was hoping to be able to contribute to the seed bank this year. Oh well, there's always next year. It's kinda funny, but I'm already getting excited for next years grow. I've started trying to make a seed list for next year. I'm looking over the seed bank list trying to decide which ones would do best in my area that the supply of is really low. Gotta keep them strains alive!

 

[Jack in NB]

My TN90 is the latest to flower in my patch.

Last year the seed heads were firming up at first light frost Sept 26. They continued to mature, and I harvested them after a third - this time a killer - frost about Oct 10. The seeds finished drying in the shop, looking nice, and germinated well this season.

I'd let the heads go as long as possible, and test the germination after they've dried.

Sounds like your growing season is similar to here. I've been using the GRIN reference material - days to maturity - and comparing my want-to's with the TN90. If the season is the same or shorter, I'm comfortable trying them.

Used that approach to chose the Chichicoste, Bursa and Cubano that I'm growing on to refresh the seed for Don. All were reported as early types, and they were among the earliest that I bagged this season. The Chi and Bursa are the tallest plants I've had - most are over 7 ft now and climbing! It will be interesting to sample the leaf.

Jack

 

[Aaron]

Jack... I have 3 tn-90 in my patch. Two of them are little runts but one grew ok. I think its at 20 leaves now and still no sign of a flower bud.

I went ahead and started topping some plants and expect to start priming this coming weekend. I found that one of my perique and one of my Bonner bright leafs, ( cc-13 ) I think it is, had just started to form the bud so I left them alone so I can see some flowers. Everything else is getting topped.

 

[Aaron]

Ok guys, I think I may have a problem with Southern Bacterial Wilt. At least that's what I guessing based on some pictures I found here http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1402042. Monday I noticed that one of my plants had a leaf that was looking extremely droopy. I had thought that maybe I had somehow damaged the leaf when I was inspecting it for pests but this afternoon I noticed one more of the leaves is looking the same. I'll take some pictures this evening when I get home. If it is SBW I'm not sure what the best course of action would be.

 

[Steve2md]

it could also be shock from the topping, or warmer than usual temps. Pics of the plants in question would be helpful.

 

[Aaron]

it could also be shock from the topping, or warmer than usual temps. Pics of the plants in question would be helpful.

This plant still hasn't been topped yet. The weather here hasn't been bad, mid 80's and partly to mostly cloudy the last week.

I'll be home in about an hour and will get some pics up as soon as I get there.

 

[Aaron]

well, when I got home the second leaf that was drooping really bad was standing back up looking good again, but the other still looks bad.

The arrow is pointing to the one that looking bad earlier today.


wilted leaf


underside of wilted leaf




Any thoughts? Maybe it's nothing, just seemed odd for specific leaves to droop/wilt with the rest of the plant looking ok.

I also took this pic to show how the little ones are doing

 

[Chicken]

i think the plants look good,

that wilted leaf, should be no issues,

leafs will wilt in the heat of the day<

 

[deluxestogie]

It does look like the Southern Wilt, shown at the images site. Unfortunately, there are a half dozen common causes for individual leaves to appear the same as yours, including herbicide drift, stink bugs, and the early stages of a number of other wilts--bacterial and viral. You'll have to watch them to see how they progress.

Bob

 

[Tom_in_TN]

I had individual leaves do that and 2 plants. I jerked them out of the ground immediately on the basis that I had plenty of other plants of that variety. Not willing to take chances that it could become serious and affect a bunch more plants. Better to lose a little....

 

[Steve2md]

Hmmm. Not sure there. Hopefully it was just a fluke. BigBonner or FMgrowit may be able to shed a little more light

 

[Aaron]

I will be keeping a close eye on it for sure. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not something that will spread or progress. Thanks guys, I appreciate your input!

 

[deluxestogie]

If it progresses on the same plant, then you might want to pull one up by the roots and see what they look like. Also examine the stalk for pinholes.

Bob

 

[Steve2md]

^^^What Bob said^^^

 

[BarG]

I have had certain varietys have leaves do that. I believe it is a form of sun scald. What was the weather like when it happened. They turn limp, dark green and don't recover. The plant itself and surrounding leaves will be fine, if its just an overdose of uv rays.

 

[Steve2md]

Yeah, I have a decorative plant near my pond that does that on especially clear and sunny days

 

[Tom_in_TN]

The 'wilting' I saw was on Comstock Spanish. I did first see it on just one leaf (picked that one off). Then the whole plant started looking wilted. Jerked it out but did not have a clue as to what to check for (now I have some idea, thanks). Then in a different area (300 feet away) but same variety had another CS plant just go limp as a dishrag. Pulled that one too. So far no other plants are affected and it has been 2 weeks. This was totally different than just wilting down in the heat of the day.