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Post by hedgeapple on Sept 20, 2021 18:01:46 GMT -6
Good job, the dog is so adorb. "Whatcha doing with Daddy?" His name is Nev and we adopted him through a rescue in Arkansas. I've had a few dogs and he is one of the best. He is a lap hog, infinitely patient with my 9yo, lets us know if anyone comes within a block of the house, cleans the floor (if it is edible), and is a stone cold mole killer. ❤
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 20, 2021 22:57:07 GMT -6
Someone ought to create a dog thread under extras/domestic animals. Sounds like that would be a real good one! In fact, I think I'll do that right now. Meet you there!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2021 12:22:53 GMT -6
Apologies for hijacking yer thread! Let's focus on this beautiful colored Windridge Okra and see how you are wonderfully adapting and developing this okra strain from seed to harvest. I hope next year we can follow closely as you post how your seed strains work out in the new season, because I'm certain your Seed Saving efforts will be fruitful!
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 21, 2021 14:01:12 GMT -6
Bon,
I'm glad you posted The dog thread. That will help give us something to keep current on during the Winter when the gardens are out of season. Gardening comments get pretty slim about Christmas time. I think I accidentally hijacked your post while attempting to copy paste it over to the new thread. (Sorry about that). I didn't realize I had deleted it from here. It's over in the extras column now, under Domestic Animals. Still not used to these administrative tools. Oops!
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Post by hedgeapple on Sept 21, 2021 14:23:09 GMT -6
So, for 2021 here is what I have:
1. Out of about 60 plants I selected one for future "pure" Windridge seed. It was one of the first three to flower (55 days), was the tallest overall, tender, good flavor, medium pod wall thickness, and had a total of 5 fruiting branches, whereas in previous years I had only one or two branches. Was surprised by the branching. I could not count total pod yield due to hail damage, but it was "purty good."
2. I've crossbred the best Windridge plant with two other varieties: Sea Island Red and Old Red Blush. In one instance I did this through flower emasculation, but the failure rate for emasculated flowers was ~80% (University of North Carolina reports an even higher percentage (90%)), so for the remainder I simply introduced pollen throughout the morning from the donor plant, bagging the receiving flower to minimize self-pollination. The pollen completely absorbs within an hour or so and then I reapply. Next year I will plant both hybrids to see if anything desirable grows. If something special appears I will consider keeping it or crossing it back to Windridge.
Overall it has been a good year. My okras are still growing, but the window for producing mature seed is probably closed, and I have more than enough, so I'll just eat the rest. I've made strides in improving Windridge. Will be curious to see what the branching does next year. Would like to keep that trait because even in a smaller garden the branching keeps me in plenty of okra every day.
Next year I will be expanding the garden to increase the footprint of my little experiment station.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2021 15:24:07 GMT -6
This is so fascinating and a worthy follow. I'm itching to know how they turn out next year and for what you will make decisions.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 22, 2021 16:39:03 GMT -6
Bon,
Funny that you used the phrase, "Itching to Know how they turn out." okra makes me itch just thinking about it.
Hedgeapple,
Sounds like you're making great strides with the seed selection. I never had any luck with flower emasculation either. I just pin my flowers shut with a little metal hair bret or else use 2" inch masking tape to tape them shut. I've used paper hotdog wrappers before too, but taping them shut works best for me.
Keep us posted. This is an interesting thread.
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Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 22, 2021 18:08:52 GMT -6
So, for 2021 here is what I have: 1. Out of about 60 plants I selected one for future "pure" Windridge seed. It was one of the first three to flower (55 days), was the tallest overall, tender, good flavor, medium pod wall thickness, and had a total of 5 fruiting branches, whereas in previous years I had only one or two branches. Was surprised by the branching. I could not count total pod yield due to hail damage, but it was "purty good." 2. I've crossbred the best Windridge plant with two other varieties: Sea Island Red and Old Red Blush. In one instance I did this through flower emasculation, but the failure rate for emasculated flowers was ~80% (University of North Carolina reports an even higher percentage (90%)), so for the remainder I simply introduced pollen throughout the morning from the donor plant, bagging the receiving flower to minimize self-pollination. The pollen completely absorbs within an hour or so and then I reapply. Next year I will plant both hybrids to see if anything desirable grows. If something special appears I will consider keeping it or crossing it back to Windridge. Overall it has been a good year. My okras are still growing, but the window for producing mature seed is probably closed, and I have more than enough, so I'll just eat the rest. I've made strides in improving Windridge. Will be curious to see what the branching does next year. Would like to keep that trait because even in a smaller garden the branching keeps me in plenty of okra every day. Next year I will be expanding the garden to increase the footprint of my little experiment station. I’m so impressed. I’m glad that hail storm didn’t put an end to all your efforts this year.
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Post by hedgeapple on Sept 30, 2021 7:35:14 GMT -6
At this point in the year, for okra, it becomes a waiting game for that first frost. Cooler evenings and days have slowed down pod production. Looking back at temperature measurements for this location over the past 50 years it appears that the first frost date has moved further and further into October on average. Right now, by the numbers, it looks like a 50/50 proposition by October 15th, but I'm not quite feeling that outside. Could be later.
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Post by hedgeapple on Sept 30, 2021 16:04:16 GMT -6
Cooler weather seems to bring out the blush.
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Post by hedgeapple on Oct 1, 2021 8:24:01 GMT -6
Well, I took a closer look at my chosen seed plant for the year and have realized that it has multiple branches with flower crowns on the branches themselves. So, with the main 5 branches and the additional sub-branches there are a total of 13 branches that would put on pods given time (which I don't think we have). No telling what it would have done if it had not been battered by hail in July - or it could be that the "whooping" it took has encouraged this?
This plant is definitely unlike any I have grown before.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Oct 1, 2021 10:27:25 GMT -6
hedgeapple,
Awesome news, thanks for the latest update. That's really something to look forward to in the next season for sure!
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Post by hedgeapple on Oct 6, 2021 8:09:28 GMT -6
This okra just keeps on a'blooming as if it isn't October. It has no plans to go "gently into that good night." 😊
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Post by chrysanthemum on Oct 10, 2021 15:22:21 GMT -6
This okra just keeps on a'blooming as if it isn't October. It has no plans to go "gently into that good night." 😊 I wonder this month will cause it to “rage, rage against the dying of the light.” I think I read that Virginia loses about 70 minutes of daylight over the course of October. Down here it’s only about 40 minutes, I believe. My okra is still blooming, but I can tell that it is slowing down.
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Post by hedgeapple on Oct 11, 2021 20:33:49 GMT -6
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